Names from the Arts and Pop Culture
By Sophie Kihm · Updated September 2026
Across 11 pages
of 11
Germanic, pop culture
"boar wolf"
Used for a character in the animated fantasy series, The Owl House , Eberwolf combines two animal related names together.
Invented name
Sazz is the gender-neutral name of the nonbinary character played by Jane Lynch in Only Murders in the Building . While a pure invention for television, we can see it catching on ala other character…
Sazz is a name invented for the nonbinary character played by Jane Lynch in Only Murders in the Building . While no actual babies have received this name yet, they will.
Cornish place name
"unknown meaning"
With other Cornish names like Elowen and Jago catching people's attention, the mythical sounding Mithian might prove an unexpected and magical feeling choice. Traditionally called Mydhyan , Mithian…
Modern nickname
Bix entered the lexicon as a girls' name via heroine Bix Caleen, played by Adria Arjona, on TV's Star Wars prequel Andor . While Bix is a new name for girls, it's been around for decades for boys via…
Diminutive of Mae
Maeby sprang into the modern consciousness via the cult TV favorite Arrested Development , in which the appealing teen character Maeby's name is a nickname for Mae. It's also a homonym for Maybe,…
Short form of Ositadimma, Igbo
"if it starts to get better today it started early"
Derived from the Igbo name Ositadimma, Osita comes from the longer phrase Osi-ta-dị-mma-ọdịbalụ-gboo meaning "if it starts to get better today it started early". A powerful meaning with a simple…
Diminutive of Ulrik, Swedish
"rich and noble heritage"
A soft but distinctive Swedish short form of the rugged Ulrik, not to be confused with the Estonian (feminine name) Ülle. It has appeared on characters in the game series The Witcher and in the TV…
Ojibwe
"it is (early) spring"
From the Ojibwe word for early Spring, Ziigwan has a bright, jubilant sound, reflective of its meaning. Used by the Indigenous people of the Great Lakes region and the northern plains, Ziigwan may be…
"a feather"
From the Ojibwe word for feather, Miigwan is used by the Indigenous people of the Great Lakes region and the northern plains. It was used for a a character in the 2022 Canadian TV comedy series,…
Arthurian legend, Welsh
"moderated, controlled"
A somewhat dark and gloomy feeling name, perhaps because of its connotations or its similarity to the words morbid and murdered. Mordred is adapted from the Welsh Medraut , itself derived from the…
Greek, Pop Culture
"to light up; room; light of the sun"
A rare and mystical choice, Aithusa may appeal to those looking for alternatives to contemporary favorite, Athena. A name from Greek mythology, Aithusa is the daughter of Poseidon and Alcyone, and a…
Sanskrit
"day lord"
Dinesh is a popular Indian name -- it stands for the sun in Hindu texts -- made familiar in the US by the HBO show Silicon Valley via the character played by Kumail Nanjiani. With the emphasis on the…
Thai form of Shitala, Sanskrit
"she who cools"
Shitala is a Hindu goddess, associated with healing. Along with curing a whole range of ailments, particularly smallpox, her presence is also said to help women conceive healthy children and ensure…
Thai
"blessing of a daughter; daughter of strength"
A Thai name with two possible meanings, Thidapon appeared on a character in the hit series, The White Lotus . Also known by the nickname "Mook", Thidapon is played by Lalisa Manobal. The name itself…
"blessed victory; strong victory"
A Thai name that appeared in the third season of the popular TV series, The White Lotus , Pornchai comes from phon meaning "blessing" or "strength" and chai meaning "victory". While the first element…
Variation of Gawain, Popular Culture, Welsh
"may hawk"
Unusual yet familiar in sound, the name Gwaine appeared in the BBC TV series Merlin , in which the character was an adaptation of Gawain, one of King Arthur's loyal knights in the Arthurian legends.…
"pearl"
A sweet and playful Thai name, Mook may be best known in the US thanks to the character Thidapon "Mook" Sornsin in The White Lotus , played by KPOP star Lalisa Manobal. Mook is a common nickname in…
Variation of Idra, Aramaic
"fig tree"
Eidra and its even sleeker sister Idra are simple-yet-unusual names -- no baby girls were given either name in the US in 2022. Eidra attracted attention as the name of a character of the Keri Russell…
English
"cookie"
Cookie is most often used as a dog name, and it should stay that way.
