Literary Names (Characters)
- Pippi
Origin:
Norse variation of PhilippaMeaning:
"lover of horses"Description:
Pippi may be cute but isn't very practical. In addition to being forever Pippi Longstocking, there is that variant pee-pee spelling to consider. Try Pippa instead.
- Lolita
Origin:
Spanish, diminutive of Lola and Dolores, SpanishMeaning:
"lady of sorrows"Description:
In Nabokov's notorious novel, Lolita is the pet name given by the pedophilic narrator, Humbert Humbert, to his victim: a young girl called Dolores and nicknamed Lola or Lo by her mother. Still, it seems that a few parents are prepared to look past this problematic association, seeing this as a offbeat option for those who defy convention. We would recommend thinking seriously about the background of this name before bestowing it on your daughter.
- Narcissa
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"daffodil"Description:
This Greek flower and mythological choice doesn't make it into the pantheon of possibilities because of its association with narcissism. But narcissa is December's flower of the month, so Narcissa and Daffodil theoretically make perfect names for December babies.
- Othello
Origin:
Variation of OthoMeaning:
"wealth, fortune"Description:
Possibly created as an elaboration of Otho or Otto, Othello is almost exclusively associated with Shakespeare's 1603 tragedy of the same name. Borne by a Moorish General who is tricked and manipulated by the cunning Iago, Othello is also the name of a classic board game.
- Granger
Origin:
English and French surnameMeaning:
"worker of the granary; farmer"Description:
If you're seeking a solid but underused occupational name with a warm, friendly sound, and an earthy feel, Granger is one to consider. Associated with faming, grain, and the outdoors, it fits in with the likes of Colton, Sawyer, and Cooper, with a hint of classic George about it too.
- Gatsby
Origin:
German surname and literary nameMeaning:
"from Gaddesby"Description:
Gatsby is one of the most famous literary surnames, borne by the titular character of F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby. The book's Jay Gatsby gussied up his surname from Gatz, whose meaning is given variously as left-handed, cat, God, and person from Gat. As a first name, it's got a lot of energy and that great literary pedigree.
- Finch
Origin:
English word and nature nameMeaning:
"to swindle"Description:
It feels like Finch should be a modern bird name that's as popular as Wren or Lark, but that's not the case - so it's one to consider if you're looking for a nature name that's familiar but rare.
- Alaska
Origin:
Native AmericanMeaning:
"great land"Description:
State name Alaska stems from an Aleutian word for the land mass itself. The number of baby girls named Alaska has doubled in the past five years, and is sure to continue increasing as more place names are annexed as baby names. Wilder but as habitable as Dakota or Cheyenne, Alaska is a girls' name choice for the future.
- Gale
Origin:
Nature nameDescription:
Gale for boys is more a storm name than a short form of Abigail. Since Gale has resurfaced as the name of Liam Hemsworth's daring character in The Hunger Games, it has new force for boys.
- Carlisle
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"from the walled city"Description:
This stuffy English surname and hotel name took on Twilight cool when attached to vampire Carlisle Cullen. Inspired by the character, it's more popular in this spelling than as Carlyle and more widely used for boys than for girls.
- Renesmee
Origin:
Literary inventionDescription:
Invented by author Stephenie Meyer for the Twilight series for the half-human, half-vampire daughter of Edward Cullen and Bella Swan, it's an amalgamtion of the names of Bella's mother Renee and Edward's adoptive mother Esme. Much to our surprise, some people are trying this at home.
- Lisbeth
Origin:
German, diminutive of ElizabethDescription:
Lisbeth is one of the many short forms of Elizabeth that are used on their own. Not only is it the name of the mother of the main character in George Eliot's novel Adam Bede, but it takes on a whole new, powerful image as the heroine of The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo trilogy. Lizbeth is another spelling.
- Murry
Description:
Murry as a feminine name represents an unusual gender crossover from what was traditionally a masculine name and surname. Derived from Scottish and Irish origins, Murry (also spelled Murray) originally meant "settlement by the sea" from Gaelic elements. While historically used primarily for boys and as a family name, its adoption as a feminine name reflects the modern trend of repurposing surnames and traditionally male names for girls. The name has a gentle, unpretentious quality with its soft consonants. When used for girls, Murry may be considered a unique alternative to more common names like Mary or Marie, sharing some phonetic similarities while standing apart. As a feminine name, Murry remains quite rare, giving it a distinctive quality for parents seeking uncommon options.
- Tris
Origin:
Diminutive of Beatrice, LatinMeaning:
"she who brings happiness; blessed"Description:
In the Divergent series, Tris was used as a short form of Beatrice, but it could also be given as a nickname for names like Tristan, Patricia, or Demetris.
- Crewe
Description:
Crewe is a masculine name derived from the Old Welsh 'criu' meaning 'ford' or 'crossing.' It originated as a place name in Cheshire, England, where the town of Crewe developed around an important railway junction in the 19th century. As a given name, Crewe represents the growing trend of adopting location names for children. It carries associations of industrial heritage and transportation history while maintaining a distinctly British feel. Though uncommon as a first name, Crewe has seen modest increased usage in recent years, particularly among families seeking short, strong-sounding masculine names with historical connections. Its single-syllable structure and distinctive sound pattern make it a noteworthy alternative to more common place-inspired names.
- Quimby
Origin:
Variation of Quenby, EnglishMeaning:
"queen's settlement"Description:
Virtually never heard in this country, with a quirky quality.
- Alianora
- Aslan
- Bovary
- Cimorene
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