Names Created by Authors

J. R. R. Tolkien introduced a plethora of new names into the world, but this is one character name that never caught on, nor will it likely ever.

Caïssa was invented as a goddess of chess by Italian poet Marco Girolamo Vida in 1527. The name is known in the chess community, but not much outside of that.

The name of a controversial character in Game of Thrones, Stannis Baratheon. He's better liked by book readers -- who see him as the embodiment of rigorous law and order -- than show watchers. In HBO's version of the story, his character was mostly defined by his disastrous loyalty to the red priestess Melisandre.

Most of the names George R.R. Martin created for his A Song of Ice and Fire series of books are close variants of existing English names, but this is an exception. Gendry was a minor character in the first few seasons of the show, who became a fan favorite largely on the strength of a meme-worthy photo of his shirtless, muscled torso. He returned to the show for a key plotline in the seventh season.

A common Basque name first used in French Basque writer Agosti Xaho's 1845 work "The Legend of Aitor."

A literary name, Musidora first appeared in its masculine form, Musidorus, in a poem by 16th poet Phillip Sidney. Meaning "gift of the Muses", it could relate to the Muses of mythology who presided over the arts, to a person or other personified force that inspires an artist, or to music and songs.

A literary name, Musidora first appeared in its masculine form, Musidorus, in a poem by 16th poet Phillip Sidney. Meaning "gift of the Muses", it could relate to the Muses of mythology who presided over the arts, to a person or other personified force that inspires an artist, or to music and songs.

Mayre is a feminine name that likely developed as a variant spelling of either Mary or Maire (the Irish form of Mary). The name ultimately derives from the Hebrew name Miriam, though its exact original meaning remains debated, with possible interpretations including 'beloved,' 'bitter,' or 'wished-for child.' This particular spelling variation gives the classic name a distinctive touch while maintaining its traditional pronunciation. Mayre combines the familiarity of a timeless name with a unique spelling that sets it apart. While not widely used, it appeals to parents who appreciate traditional names with subtle personalization and may also serve as a connection to Irish heritage.

The elven ruler of Rivendell in Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings.

A name created for Jellia Jamb, a sweet and beautiful servant in the Royal Palace in the Emerald City of Oz, who appears in several books in the series.

Popular in Brazil in the early half of the 20th century, Iracema derives from the Indigenous Tupi–Guarani language, and likely gained attention due to its use in the classic 1865 novel by José de Alencar. Iracema is the titular character of the novel that explores the relationship between an indigenous woman and a Portuguese colonist.

Variation of Abilene.

A character name in George R. R. Martin's Song of Ice and Fire series, featured in the GOT prequel House of the Dragon, where she is played by Eve Best. The character is called "the queen who never was", since she was denied the throne in favor of her male cousin Viserys.

Derived from J. R.R. Tolkien's fictional language of Sindarin, Legolas is a nature name and a literary creation, borne by an elf in The Lord of the Rings. A member of the Fellowship and an excellent bowman, his name hasn't caught on in the same way Arwen, Eowyn, Peregrin, Theoden, amd Elanor have.

A name created by author Tamora Pierce for a character in her Protector of the Small series, a quartet of young adult fantasy novels. In the novels, Keladry is the first girl in centuries to seek a knighthood and the novels follow her journey towards this goal.

Rhaegar Targaryen is one of the most glamorous, noble characters in George R.R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire series... even though he's been dead over a decade when the books begin. The reader first learns about him through Robert and Ned, both enemies, who paint a distorted picture of this striking man.

Popular in Brazil, Moacir derives from the Indigenous Tupi–Guarani language, and likely gained attention due to its use in the classic 1865 novel, Iracema by José de Alencar. The novel tells the story of a relationship between an indigenous woman and a Portuguese colonist and has been adapted several times into film, notably in 1917 and 1949 which led to an increase in its use in Brazil.

Author Sarah J. Maas created the name Amren for a High Fae in her acclaimed fantasy romance series A Court of Thorns and Roses. Amren debuted on the US charts in 2023.

Tissaia de Vries is a sorceress character on the Netflix series The Witcher. The origins of this created name are uncertain, but a quick search will pull up many theories, from a variation of Tess, Taisia, or Tasia, or spawned from the Latin word "titulus" (we're not sure if we buy that one).

Used by Gregory Maguire in his novel Wicked, Shenshen also appears in the Broadway musical adaptation of the book. Her name could be based on Sinead or Shenade, variations of John, or perhaps the phrase "chin-chin", used as a toast or an informal greeting.