Over 500 Distinctive Literary Child Names for Bookish Mother and father-to-Be

Selecting what to call your child could also be one of many hardest selections ever. I’m not a mum or dad, however I’m fairly positive I might flip to books for inspiration. There are such a lot of literary child names to select from, you would spend weeks searching books to search out the proper one. Don’t fear! I’ve collected an enormous checklist of literary child names, some distinctive, some basic, all excellent for bookish new dad and mom.

Child Names from Basic Youngsters’s Books

Child Names from Little Girls

Relying in your favourite March sister, you may select from Meg (or Margaret), Jo (or Josephine), Beth (or Elizabeth), or Amy. Theodore is a gorgeous, old style identify, and that character’s nickname, Laurie, additionally makes a superb child identify.

 

 

Child Names from Harry Potter

I’ve all the time thought Harry and Ron had been type of boring, however there are many different enjoyable names within the Harry Potter sequence. Hermione is a reasonably identify and likewise the identify of the most effective character within the sequence, so you may’t go flawed there. Lily and James, Harry’s dad and mom’ names, are additionally basic child names. Of the principle group of scholars, Luna, Neville, Padma, Lavender, Angelina, Seamus, and Parvati are all (comparatively) distinctive and delightful. Listed here are my favorites of the extra obscure Harry Potter child names to select from: Amelia, Andromeda, Arabella, Augusta, Aurora, Blaise, Cuthbert (that is Professor Binns’s first identify!), Emmeline, Fleur, Florean, Garrick, Helena, Kingsley, Minerva, Penelope, Pomona, Poppy, Sybill.

Child Names from His Darkish Supplies

Philip Pullman has a present for names—many of those sound recognizably of our personal world and but uncommon, which is ideal for a fantasy sequence. Lyra is a gorgeous child identify. Different fascinating choices from this sequence: Iorek, Serafina, Lee, Will (not as fascinating, however a basic), Ruta (and her surname, Skadi, which is the identify of a Nordic goddess!), Xaphania, Balthamos, Baruch.

Child Names from the Narnia Books

I’m not suggesting you identify a child Mr. Tumnus (though you do you) and Aslan additionally looks as if loads to dwell as much as. However there are many different fascinating child identify concepts within the Narnia sequence, from the basic British names of Edmund, Lucy, Peter, and Susan to the extra uncommon: Alambil, Aravis, Caspian, Cor, Gwendolen.

Child Names from Redwall

Sure, Brian Jacques’s Redwall sequence is a couple of bunch of anthropomorphic speaking animals (primarily mice, but in addition voles, otters, badgers, rats, and rabbits). It’s additionally a treasure trove of enjoyable names. You’ve acquired old style Anglo-Saxon and Biblical names like Matthias, Martin, and Luke. There are some pretty nature-inspired names, too, like Cornflower, Rose, Thyme, Rosemary… After which there are a number of extra distinctive names: Arven, Deyna, Mariel, Bryony.

Different Child Names from Basic Youngsters’s Books

Listed here are a few different favorites from basic youngsters’s literature.

Nancy or Drew (or Bess, for that matter, or why not George for a woman, in honor of Nancy’s finest pal George and likewise George Eliot?)

Jillian (of Jillian Jiggs)

Harriet (the Spy)

Madeline

Mortimer

Ferdinand

Ramona, Henry, Beezus or Beatrice (I cherished the identify Beezus after I was a child, it was so uncommon!)

Matilda, Violet, Veruca, and Charlie, all from Roald Dahl’s books (Veruca and Violet could also be little hellions, however their names are fairly!)

Marilla (or Rilla as her namesake is understood by in Rilla of Ingleside)

Child Names from Mythology and Fairy Tales

Child Names from Arthurian Legend

There are such a lot of literary child names impressed by mythology and fairy tales! Let’s begin with Arthurian legend (which you’ll learn all about in Le Morte d’Arthur, if you wish to know the story behind the names). There’s Arthur, clearly, but in addition Guinevere, Lancelot (perhaps simply Lance?), Percival, Caelia, Elaine, Evaine, Iseult, Lionel, Lynette, Merlin, Morgan (or Morgana), Owain, Tristan, and naturally the Girl of the Lake (simply kidding on that one).

Child Names from Greek, Roman, and Norse Mythology

Transferring on to Greek and Roman mythology, we’ve an countless checklist of names that are likely to sound fairly fancy. Listed here are my favorites, in alphabetical order: Apollo, Artemis, Atlas, Athena, Diana, Gaia, Hera, Hestia, Juno, Nyx, Orion, Phoebe, Rhea, Selene, Theia, Vesta.

Norse mythology is filled with inspiration, so long as you don’t thoughts child Thor having loads to dwell as much as (each Chris Hemsworth AND the precise determine of Thor). There’s Odin, related to dying and the pursuit of information, and Frigg, or Frigga, additionally related to information. Different good decisions embody Balder, Freyja, Idun, Loki, and Tyr.

Child Names from European Fairytales

And from European fairytales retold by the Grimm brothers and Charles Perrault, you will have some ethereal-feeling choices, like Belle, Gretel, Hansel, Rapunzel, Briar (or the total factor, Briar Rose), and even Ella (as in Cinderella). I might keep away from Rumpelstiltskin.

Literary Child Names Impressed by Well-known Authors

The identify Jane tops my checklist, for one in all my favourite authors, Jane Austen. Easy and basic, it can in all probability stand the check of time. Austen works as a reputation, too! Or you would go along with Cassandra, her sister’s identify, as famous within the charming image e book Strange, Extraordinary Jane Austen.

Brontë is likely to be a bit a lot for a wee child, however the names of the Brontë siblings may encourage you: Anne, Emily, Charlotte, and Branwell. The sisters’ pen names, Currer, Acton, and Ellis, are all strong-sounding names.

Each Toni and Morrison would make lovable child names and help you pay homage to one of many greats. Ditto with Alice and Munro, Ralph and Ellison (okay, Ralph has a barely dated really feel, however Ellison sounds extra trendy), and Langston and Hughes (properly, Hugh).

There are a selection of Southern writers who give nice identify. Carson is a stunning identify in honor of Carson McCullers, whereas Eudora (as in Welty) is a little more dramatic and Flannery (as in O’Connor) extra distinctive. Harper is kind of common now, however nonetheless a strong selection. Each Zora and Neale (as in Hurston) are putting, perhaps for a pair of siblings?

What about turning to thriller authors for literary child names? Agatha is a type of old style names that appears to be making a comeback. Or there’s Dashiell for Dashiell Hammett. Chandler (as in Raymond Chandler) is a enjoyable selection, too. Different interesting thriller creator names: Dorothy, Janet, Louise, Tana, Stephen, Minette, Jacqueline.

However you may as well look to writers dwelling and dealing right this moment for identify inspiration. Brit Bennett, creator of The Moms, has two names that work for all genders. Ditto Zadie Smith. Roxane is a gorgeous identify and your youngster would simply so occur to share it with Roxane Homosexual. Mindy (as in Mindy Kaling) is lovable. I just lately learn Ask Baba Yaga and located that creator’s identify, Taisia, pretty. Romance creator Christina Lauren is definitely two authors writing underneath a pseudonym—however that pseudonym offers you two choices for child names! Talking of romance authors, why not Jasmine, Beverly, Tessa, Rebekah, or Penny?

And I could but identify one thing Kate, even when it’s only a plant, after one in all my all-time favorites, Kate Atkinson.

Names from Basic Novels

Literary Child Names from Jane Austen

As Austen was writing within the late 18th and early 19th century, lots of her characters names are pretty common (presumably even boring) by right this moment’s requirements. Catherine, Elinor, Isabella, Marianne, Lydia, Maria, and Emma are all fairly fairly. As for the male characters, why not Brandon (as in Colonel Brandon), Fitz (as in Fitzwilliam Darcy), Frederick (Captain Wentworth), or Edward (Ferrars)?

Please somebody identify their cat Girl Cat-herine de Purrgh.

Literary Child Names from the Brontë Sisters

Bless Emily B for giving us the identify Heathcliff, which inserts the character so completely. I would shorten that to Heath if it had been my child. One other uncommon selection for a child of any gender is Shirley. This was initially in widespread use as a male identify, till Charlotte Brontë’s novel Shirley, by which the titular character is a land-owning lady, made it a well-liked ladies’ identify. Just a few extra names from Shirley: Caroline, Louis, Robert, Hortense.

Jane and Edward of Jane Eyre have been talked about above, however there’s all the time St. John, so long as you’re okay along with your youngster correcting this pronunciation for the remainder of their life. (I used to be 21 years outdated earlier than I noticed it was pronounced “Sinjin”.) Different Brontë names: Agnes, Adele, Annabella, Blanche, Eliza, Eulalie, Fergus, Georgiana, Gilbert, Ginevra, Graham, Lucy, Kenneth, Millicent, Paulina, Sylvie, Zillah.

Child Names from Toni Morrison

Names (and nicknames) are essential in Toni Morrison’s books, and lots of are Bible-inspired or are uniquely putting. My favourite is Pecola from The Bluest Eye. Different concepts: Sula, Macon, Sethe, Beloved, Booker, Bride, Golden.

Tolkien-Impressed Child Names

Tolkien was a genius of identify inventing. Between The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit, to not point out all of his different writing, he created (or borrowed from different sources) names for in all probability lots of of characters. A few of them are maybe somewhat out-there for child names, so I’ve collected a few of my lowkey favorites right here.

Aerin, Aldor, Amdir, Arien, Arwen, Balin, Belladonna, Beorn, Beren, Beruthiel, Celeborn, Elanor, Elendil, Elenna, Elrond, Eomer, Eowyn, Estel, Faramir, Frea, Freca, Galador, Galadriel, Hama, Luthien, Meriadoc (Merry), Morwen, Nessa, Nienna, Pearl, Peregin (Pippin or Pip), Rian, Samwise, Thorin, Valda.

Names from Shirley Jackson’s Work

Shirley Jackson’s We Have All the time Lived within the Fort has two eerie, compelling feminine characters with nice names: Merricat (brief for Mary Katherine) and Constance. There’s additionally their uncle’s identify, Julian. In the meantime, in The Haunting of Hill Home, we’ve Theodora and Eleanor.

Child Names from One Thousand and One Nights

The premise of this assortment of tales is that Scheherazade tells a narrative to her husband, the king, each evening to maintain herself alive for an additional day. Naturally there are some nice names (together with cliffhangers!) within the tales she tells. For starters, there’s her identify, Scheherazade, which might be nicknamed in a number of uncommon methods: Zade, Hera, Schera, even Sara. As for the remainder of the characters, right here’s an inventory: Ahmed, Aladdin, Ali, Duban, Hussain, Morgiana, Sinbad, Zeyn.

Child Identify Concepts from Dickens

Charles Dickens is one other creator who clearly had enjoyable making up names. I imply, Ebenezer Scrooge? A lot of his names really feel a bit an excessive amount of like caricatures to really work in a contemporary context, however right here’s a collection of extra neutral-sounding names for inspiration.

Ada, Allan, Barbara, Belinda, Benjamin, Betsy, Camilla, Charity, Clara, Dora, Edith, Esther, Estella, Felix, Flora, Florence, Henrietta, Honoria, Jasper, Jem, Jemima, Jeremiah, Josiah, Leo, Louisa, Lucretia, Could, Mercy, Minnie, Rosa, Pip, Sophy (or Sophie), Sydney, Vincent, Walter.

Even Extra Distinctive Names… from Present Fiction

Child Names from Younger Grownup Fiction

I’m keen on Lara Jean and Margot from Jenny Han’s To All of the Boys I Beloved Earlier than and sequels, in addition to Willowdean (or Willow and Dean, individually) and Bo from Dumplin’. Sarah Dessen’s characters even have distinctive names that may function inspiration, together with Annabel, Auden, Clarke, Dexter, Emaline, Gwendolyn, Halley, Haven, Macy, Noah, Opal, Owen, Remy, Ruby, Scarlett, Wes.

Ibi Zoboi riffs on character names from Delight and Prejudice to enjoyable impact in her novel Delight, in case you’re on the lookout for one thing with a little bit of a twist. Sisters Janae and Zuri come from a household with Afro-Latino roots. The Darcy and Bingley characters are named Darius and Ainsley, respectively.

Child Names from A Music of Ice and Fireplace

You may wish to keep away from Cersei and Daenerys, however how about naming your child after one of many different badass feminine characters like Brienne, Sansa, Catelyn, Missandei, or Yara (Asha within the e book sequence)? I do know we’re going to get quite a lot of child Aryas after what occurred in season eight of the present. Talisa can also be a reasonably identify, though not unique to the e book sequence.

Everybody else on this sequence is type of murderous, which can be a bit a lot for a child identify. The least-murdery choices embody Bran, Samwell (or simply Sam)…and that’s actually it, I believe. Jon is about as fundamental (basic?) as you may get, identical to his character.

Child Names from Sarah J. Maas

Sarah J. Maas’s books are lengthy epic fantasies, and like lots of the different lengthy epic fantasies we’ve checked out thus far, they’re filled with unusual names with a novel twist. From the Throne of Glass sequence, your choices are: Aedion, Aelin, Ansel, Archer, Celaena, Cresseida, Dorian, Edda, Finn, Imogen, Linnea, Lorcan, Luca, Lyria, Lysandra, Kaya, Nehemia, Petrah, Philippa, Rhiannon, Rosamund, Rowan, Sellene, Thea, Yrene.

And there are much more choices from the Court docket of Thorns and Roses sequence: Cassian, Azriel, Elain, Feyre, Ianthe, Lucien, Morrigan, Nesta, Rhysand (or Rhys), Tamlin, Viviane.

Literary Names from Current Novels

From Elena Ferrante’s Neapolitan novels, we’ve the next: Elena (or Lenu), Raffaella (or Lila or Lina), Carmela, Stefano, Donato, Nino, Marisa, and Nella.

Taylor Jenkins Reid’s Daisy Jones & the Six, which got here out this yr, additionally had some distinctive child identify concepts, together with Daisy, but in addition Camila, Simone, and Billy.

American Conflict by Omar El Akkad is ready in a close to future after local weather change has wreaked havoc on the southern United States, and it options a number of familiar-but-uncommon names. Sarat, the principle character, is fascinating. Different names from the e book embody Marina, Simon, Karina, Yousef, and Dana.

Name Me By Your Identify is a superb e book but in addition a supply for extra distinctive literary child names: Elio, Oliver, Marzia, Annella, Chiara, Anchise, Nico, Mafalda.

Lastly, I believe you would additionally discover some child identify concepts within the Loopy Wealthy Asians sequence. Araminta is my favourite from the sequence, however there’s additionally Rachel, Kitty, Astrid, Bernard, Alistair, Colin, and Fiona.

Child Names from Shakespeare

And now we’ve Shakespeare! An countless supply of literary child identify inspiration. A lot of Shakespeare’s performs are set in Italy, a rustic that historians are fairly positive he by no means visited. This will clarify how exaggerated they’re—they’re a 15th century English man’s model of Italian names. However many are fairly lovely and worthy of child identify consideration! Shakespeare additionally wrote performs primarily based on historical past and delusion, so a few of these names will appear acquainted from different sources.

Abraham, Adam, Adrian, Adriana, Alexander, Alonso, Andromache, Angelica, Angelo, Antonio, Anthony, Ariel, Banquo, Benedick (or Benedict), Bianca, Brutus, Caius, Calpurnia, Celia, Cinna, Claudio, Cleopatra, Cordelia, Cressida, Demetrius, Dorcas, Duncan, Emilia, Florizel, Gertrude, Hamlet, Hecate, Helena, Hermia, Hero, Horatio, Jessica, Julia, Juliet, Lavinia, Luciana, Lucius, Malcolm, Marcus, Mariana, Nathaniel, Ned, Nell, Nerissa, Oberon, Octavia, Ophelia, Orlando, Paris, Perdita, Phebe, Portia, Prospero, Regan, Romeo, Rosalind, Rosaline, Sebastian, Silvia, Tamora, Titania, Titus, Ursula, Valentine, Valeria, Viola.

On the lookout for extra baby-related inspiration? Right here’s an inventory of board books for brand spanking new infants and film books for brand spanking new dad and mom, plus some recommendation about the right way to throw a bookish child bathe.

Signal as much as obtain Verify Your Shelf, the Librarian’s One-Cease Store For Information, E-book Lists, And Extra.

Thanks for signing up! Regulate your inbox.

By signing up you comply with our Phrases of Service