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Celebrity Names · Names from the Arts and Pop Culture

Literary Baby Names Inspired by Authors

Sophie Kihm

By Sophie Kihm · Updated September 2026

Names127

Pages7

Total Names127

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Showing 101–120 of 127

Kesey
Irish literary name, variation of Casey
Kesey is a possible literary hero name honoring Merry Prankster Ken Kesey, whose characters flew over the cuckoo's nest. Kesey rhymes with easy.
Lafcadio
Place-name
Patrick Lafcadio Hearn was born on the Greek Island of Lefkada, the origin of the name he used as a first. But as a writer, he was known as Koizumi Yakumo, a collector of Japanese folk tales and…
Lalita
Sanskrit
"playful, charming"
Lolita without the naughty implications.
Lardner
Occupational name
"servant in charge of a larder"
The surname of humorist Ring is a new entry in the trendy occupational class -- but watch the lard.
Lionel
French
"young lion"
Lionel is yet another traditional boy's name entering the girls' column--at least once-- via prizewinning novelist Lionel (born Margaret Ann) Shriver.
Mcewan
Scottish
"son of Ewan"
Shows some promise via its connection to the growing interest in Ewan.
Millay
English literary name
Pretty and distinctive choice for poetry lovers.
Neruda
Literary name, Czech
"bad-tempered"
Evocative of the great Nobel Prize winning poet Pablo Neruda, real last name Basoalito, who took on the surname Neruda to honor a Czech poet of that name. One of the most poetic and arty boy names…
Nin
Literary name, meaning unknown
Better hold off and hope for a daughter so you can name her Anais.
Norris
French
"northerner"
A British surname that was used only for males until Mrs. Norman Mailer, Norris Church (born Barbara), came under the public eye.
O'casey
Irish surname
To modernize and add some oomph to the dated CASEY, add an O'-and also honor the great Irish playwright Sean.
Ottessa
Variation of Atossa, Greek from Persian
"bestowing very richly, well trickling, well granting"
Author Ottessa Moshfegh is one of the few to bear her name — a rare variation of the ancient name Atossa, rather than Odessa (as many think). The historical Atossa was a character not unlike one in a…
Plato
Greek
"broad-shouldered"
The name of one of the greatest Western philosophers is often used as a first name in its land of origin, Greece, and would make a really interesting, thought-provoking choice here. It is remembered…
Ring
Word name
Cool and casual, a la humorist Ring (born Ringgold. ) Lardner.
Roald
Norwegian
"famous ruler"
This intriguing Scandinavian name is associated with Roald Dahl, author of the juvenile classics James and the Giant Peach and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory . You can honor an ancestral Ronald…
Rudd
English surname
"red or ruddy"
The surname Rudd, made most famous by Antman actor Paul, derives from the words ruddy or red and may have originally been given to someone with a reddish complexion. While this name can theoretically…
Rumer
English
"fame; gossip, story"
Celebs Demi Moore and Bruce Willis made waves in the 80s when they named their now-grown daughter after novelist Rumer Godden. The author was actually born Margaret, with family surname Rumer as her…
Salinger
French, Saint Léger
Fervent fans of The Catcher in the Rye might want to consider this as a literary tribute. More mainstream alternative: Holden.
Saroyan
Armenian literary name
Plausible literary name to honor upbeat Armenian-American playwright and prose writer William Saroyan.
Shakespeare
English
"brandish spear"
This name will forever be associated with the Bard and would likely prove hard to live up to. It might be cool for a pet though.