Names from the Arts and Pop Culture
Names Created by Authors
Across 13 pages
of 13
Nelida
Nelida is a feminine name with multiple possible origins. It may be derived from the Greek name Nellie (a diminutive of Helen, meaning 'shining light') or may have Spanish or Latin American roots. In…
Nellary
Literary invention
An intriguing, plausible name--kind of a Nell-Hillary combo--created by L. Frank Baum for a character in his book The Lost Princess of Oz .
Lorna
English literary name
One of those names like Pamela, Vanessa and Wendy, Lorna was invented for a particular literary character--the protagonist of the 1869 novel Lorna Doone by R. D. Blackmore--and then perpetuated as…
Jinjur
Literary invention
Ginger-homonym created by L. Frank Baum for a General character in his Oz books.
Ianu
Invented literary name
Fanciful name created by L. Frank Baum for a character in his book Dorothy and the Wizard in Oz .
Ozma
Literary invention
Princess Ozma was the leading character of L. Frank Baum's book Ozma of Oz and could provide a fun way to nickname Ozzie for a girl. Alternatively, it may occasionally be used as a variation of the…
Orville
French
"gold town"
Only if you're an aviation buff or seriously addicted to popcorn.
Loredana
Italian, Romanian
"laurel grove"
A widespread name in Italy and Romania, the lovely Loredana is often claimed to have been invented by French author George Sand for a character in her 1833 novel Mattea . However, it also belonged to…
Ornella
Italian
"flowering ash tree"
Like many a popular name, Ornella is a theatrical creation. Italian playwright Gabriele d'Annunzio created this name for his dramatic heroine in the 1904 play La Figlia di Iorio. Ornella is a…
Lilliet
Literary name
This delicate and pretty member of the prolific Lily family is best known as the name of the heroine of Alexander Chee's novel Queen of the Night , Lilliet Berne. A combination of Lillian and Juliet,…
Pamela
English
"all honey"
Pam was a somewhat pampered prom queen of the sixties who was never called by her full name, which is a pity because Pamela is so mellifluous and rich in literary history. A Top 25 name from the late…
Pecola
Literary name
Name of the winning young heroine of Toni Morrison's first novel, The Bluest Eye .
Peeta
Invented literary name
Author Suzanne Collins created this soft-spoken Peter variation for one of her heroes in her series The Hunger Games .
Percival
French
"one who pierces the valley"
There are several Percivals scattered through the Harry Potter series, which might help transform the old-fangled, fussy image it has accrued. Actually, the original Percival was the one perfectly…
Norma
English or Latin
"from the north; or, the pattern"
Invented for Bellini's opera, Norma had some star quality in the silent-screen and Marilyn Monroe days, but at this point it's a graying grandma in baby name limbo.
Pfannee
Literary invention
A minor (female) character in the Wicked book and musical, who is gender swapped for the 2024 movie.
Pippi
Norse variation of Philippa
"lover of horses"
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.
Podrick
Literary name
Podrick Payne is something of a Zelig character in Game of Thrones -- though he's never been all that prominent, he's popped up in many scenes in many different storylines on the show, first as…
Quixote
Spanish literary name
Tied to the hero of the classic Spanish novel Don Quixote , likely to produce a quixotic daydreamer.
Nim
Modern invented name
Australian writer Wendy Orr put this name on the map with her hit Nim's Island " series of children's books, about a smart young girl who lives on an island in the South Pacific. Abigail Breslin…