Names from the Arts and Pop Culture
By Pamela Redmond · Updated September 2026
Across 9 pages
of 9
Short form of Sidney, French
"Saint-Denis"
Sid originated as a nickname for Sidney, but we like it on its own, a la Sara Quin's and Jason Biggs and Jenny Mollen's sons. Sid Vicious, member of the band the Sex Pistols, gives this name a punk…
French
"springlike"
Although it has a sweet meaning, this name feels dated nowadays, like a fifties poodle skirt. Lavender may be a fresher alternative.
English, diminutive of Albert and Bertram
A once-popular nickname for Albert and Bertram now being polished up by hip Brits, but still hibernating in the Land of Nerd over here.
Flynt is a masculine name of English origin, representing a variant spelling of Flint. The name refers to the hard, sedimentary rock that produces sparks when struck against steel, symbolizing…
Latin
"lord, master"
One of those ultimate cool-girl names, played by Keira Knightley in a movie about a supermodel-turned-bounty hunter, but kids might associate it with the game. High profile British designer India…
Welsh and Galician variation of James and Jacob
Iago, the villain of Shakespeare's Othello , was so treacherously evil that his name has hardly ever been heard offstage. Try the much-more-benign Inigo.
Norse
"ancestor's relic"
Olaf, though sainted and regal in Norway, is slightly oafish here. It is one of those names that has become completely familiar in the U.S. without ever becoming assimilated. Now that he's a comical…
Greek
"reward, honor"
Kids would be more likely to associate this name with the hyperactive meercat in "The Lion King" than with the ancient Greek philosopher or Shakespearean character, which could cause playground…
Samoan, Maori
"heart"
Borne by a character in the Disney film, Moana 2 , Loto is a short but distinctive name that likely derives from Maori or Samoan and means "heart". It might also work as a short form of Lotonui…
Chinese
"even, peaceful"
Notably the pseudonym used by Mulan in the Disney film Mulan .
Samoan
"true; expanse of blue sky"
Borne by a character in the Disney film, Moana 2 , Moni is possibly of Samoan origin, in which it means "true". Alternatively, it could be a short form of Vanimonimo, meaning "expanse of blue sky",…
Phillipe is a masculine name representing a French variant spelling of Philippe, the French form of Philip. Deriving from the Greek name Philippos, it combines "philos" (friend, lover) and "hippos"…
"lost"
A Shakespearean invention for an abandoned baby in The Winter's Tale , Perdita's sense of loss has always been off-putting to parents. But her image was somewhat resuscitated by its association with…
Diminutive of Margaret, Greek
"pearl"
Peg is a nostalgic turn-of-the-last-century nickname, sociable but slight. Like near-identical twin Peggy, Peg is in mothballs.
Latin, diminutive of Frances
"from France or free man"
If Frances and Fran are too serious for you, and Fanny too saucy, you might like Franny, still identified by some with J. D. Salinger's Franny and Zooey stories.
"imagination"
One of the more prominent by-products of reality TV, via Disney.
Native American
This unisex Native American name offers a good substitution to Dakota.
African
"king"
Known for being the name of Simba's father in the Lion King .
Literary name
The name of the young hero of Rudyard Kipling's The Jungle Book , who was raised by wolves (really) and becomes a genius hunter and trapper, was chosen as a middle name for their son Bronx (really,…
"little ash-girl"
One familiar name never used for real people, for obvious reasons. Read more about Cinderella and other Disney Princess Names in our featured blog.
