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Literary Baby Names

Literary baby names, drawn from the characters in books for both adults and children as well as from the names of well-loved authors, are gaining in popularity. Literary names can confer meaning on a child as well as provide a worthy hero or heroine to look up to.

Names from the best-loved children's books may be gaining the most in popularity. While many of these -- Alice (in Wonderland) and Charlotte (of the Web), say -- carry references that go far beyond the literary, other names are closely identified with the characters who inspired their popularity. Along with Alice and Charlotte, literary baby names from children's and young adult books ranking in the US Top 500 include Sawyer, Matilda, Finn, Holden, Lyra, and Eloise. Unique literary names from children's books or of young characters gaining attention include Huck, Ramona, Scout, and Hermione.

Historical novels also provide a rich source of popular literary names. Drawn from the works of authors from Shakespeare to Jane Austen to F. Scott Fitzgerald, top historical literary names include Juliet, Archer, Scarlett, and Darcy, for both genders. Emma, a Top 10 name in the US, France, Germany, Italy, and Ireland, among other countries, also has a strong literary influence as the title character from the Jane Austen novel.

Names of historically-important authors are also notable. These might be first names, such as Willa (Cather), Edith (Wharton), Dashiell (Hammett), and Hart (Crane). The newest literary names are drawn from the surnames of famous authors. Along with Austen and Bronte, unique literary surname names we love include Auden, Poe, Angelou, and Baldwin.

Literary works adapted in recent years for popular television shows and movies have had a strong influence, especially from the name-rich works of J.K. Rowling and George R. R. Martin. Literary names that have been created or popularized by the Harry Potter, Game of Thrones, Hunger Games, and Twilight franchises include Arya, Khaleesi, Katniss, Albus, and Bella.

The best place to start your search for the perfect literary baby name is with your favorite books and authors, of course. But you might love the name first and read the book or research the author afterwards. For even more choices, check out our lists of Literary Girl Names and Literary Boy Names.

Prairie

Meaning: prairie

Origin:English nature name
1991
Blue The meaning of Blue is the colour, which is ...
Origin:Color name
927
Lionel

Meaning: young lion

Origin:French
5534
Auden

Meaning: old friend

Origin:English
612
Pamela

Meaning: all honey

Origin:English
899
Portia

Meaning: pig

Origin:Latin
648
Charity

Meaning: charity

Origin:English word name
1319
Bathsheba

Meaning: daughter of an oath

Origin:Hebrew
1715
Pilar

Meaning: pillar

Origin:Spanish
908
Denver

Meaning: green valley or from Anvers

Origin:English or French place-name and surname
4917
Origin:Word name
1670
Estella

Meaning: star

Origin:Latinate form of Estelle
658
Paz

Meaning: gold; peace

Origin:Hebrew; Spanish
2853
Mamie Mamie is a name given primarily to girls. It...
Origin:Diminutive of Mary or Margaret
1595
Pippi

Meaning: lover of horses

Origin:Norse variation of Philippa
1990
Ginevra

Meaning: white shadow, white wave

Origin:Italian variation of Guinevere
930
Calixta

Meaning: most beautiful

Origin:Greek
2159
Sylvia

Meaning: from the forest

Origin:Latin
276
Louisa

Meaning: renowned warrior

Origin:Latinate feminine variation of Louis
283
Hadley

Meaning: heather field

Origin:English
417