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Literary Boy Names

These literary boy names are derived from characters in books from all genres. Some of these literary heroes and anti-heroes, such as Romeo and Tristan, come from works of fiction written centuries ago, while others, like Kafka and Edmund, are contemporary.

Along with Tristan and Romeo, other literary boy names in the US Top 1000 include Atticus, Axel, Holden, Magnus, Orlando, Rhett, Samson, and Santiago. Some names for boys remain inextricably tied to their literary namesakes, such as Heathcliff, Gogol, Ishmael, and Zooey.

Here, a selection of the most distinctive literary boy names from books. It might also be worth checking out your own bookshelves for literature-inspired baby names that are relevant to you.

Tristan

Meaning: noise or sorrowful

Origin:Celtic
275
Santiago

Meaning: Saint James

Origin:Place-name or Latin
497
Phineas

Meaning: the Nubian

Origin:English, Egyptian
196
Edward

Meaning: wealthy guardian

Origin:English
235
Edmund

Meaning: fortunate protector

Origin:English
280
Rhett

Meaning: advice

Origin:English from Dutch
288
Dorian This name comes all the way from the land of...
Origin:Greek, name of a tribe
293
Orlando

Meaning: famous throughout the land

Origin:Italian variation of Roland
333
Darcy

Meaning: from Arcy

Origin:English from French, d'Arcy
727
Valentino

Meaning: strength, health

Origin:Latin
846
Jupiter

Meaning: godfather

Origin:Latin
953
Amory

Meaning: industrious

Origin:German
2507
Cato

Meaning: all-knowing

Origin:Latin
801
Origin:Word name
7928
Huckleberry The name Huckleberry is of American origin a...
Origin:Word name and literary name
847
Marius Marius is a name of Latin roots and is given...
Origin:Latin, from a Roman family name related to Mars, the god of war
484
Laird

Meaning: lord of the land

Origin:Scottish
2341
Rodion

Meaning: song of the hero

Origin:Russian from Greek
2179
Utah The baby name Utah belongs to the Native Ame...
Origin:Place-name
12197
Misha The name Misha is Hebrew and the meaning of ...
Origin:Russian, diminutive of Mikhail
2220