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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.

Remarkable Though Remarkable is more usually used as an...
Origin:Literary and word name
10464
Melanctha The meaning of Melanctha is 'black flower' o...
Origin:Literary name
12242
Pleasant The name Pleasant has its roots in French. T...
Origin:Word name
12322
Nenna

Meaning: daring

Origin:Literary name and Scandinavian
12800
Sweeney

Meaning: the little hero

Origin:Irish
14244
Bennington Bennington is usually used for baby boys and...
Origin:Place-name
14447
Dabney

Meaning: from Aubigny

Origin:English surname
0
Nerissa

Meaning: from the sea

Origin:Greek
948
Marin The name Marin is of Latin origin and is a u...
Origin:Latin, of the sea"
1076
Waverly

Meaning: meadow of quivering aspens

Origin:English
1121
Origin:Word name
3362
Ayn

Meaning: grace

Origin:English
3385
Precious

Meaning: of great worth, expensive

Origin:Latin word name
3409
Origin:Word name
7928
Zola The meaning of Zola is 'earth', 'bundle of e...
Origin:Literary surname
9498
Temple

Meaning: dweller near the temple

Origin:English
3746
Brett

Meaning: from Brittany

Origin:Celtic
4511
London London is a habitational name widely known a...
Origin:Place-name
2126
Kinsey

Meaning: king's victory

Origin:English
2458
Raleigh

Meaning: meadow of roe deer

Origin:English
3246