Literary Baby Names

An attractive and unusual name that may be a variation of Cleo, Clea was possibly invented by Lawrence Durrell for a character in his Alexandria Quartet.
 Actress Clea DuVall is one noted bearer of the name, another is Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward's youngest daughter, who was named Claire Olivia, but always called Clea.

Clea

Much fresher and more energetic than Dominique.

Domenica

Sleek, sharp, and soulful, Isolde is the German form of Iseult, the fabled lover of Tristan in the Arthurian romances. First appearing in the 12th-century, the name was fairly popular in the form of Iseult, Yseut, Yseult, and Ysolt, however, it wasn't until the 19th-century that this form began to catch on, after the composer Richard Wagner used it for his 1865 opera (and for his own daughter!)
 
Seen as a symbol of undying love, Isolde was an Irish princess who accidentally drinks a love potion and falls in love with the nephew of the king she was betrothed to. The story ends in tragedy, but with Tristan, Romeo, and Juliet all familiar choices, this connection doesn't need to hold you back.
 
The exact etymology of the name is unknown but one suggestion is that it comes from Germanic elements to mean "ice ruler" or "ice battle" giving it a strong, wintery feel. Alternatively, it may have Brythonic origins, in which case it could mean "she who is gazed upon."
 
More likely to be used in the Netherlands or in Germany than in the US, it could appeal more widely as an intriguing alternative to Isabel, Iris, Ines, and Imogene. Given to 15 American girls in a recent year, it comes with user-friendly nicknames Izzy and Sol, though Iso is the one used in Marilyn French's novel The Women's Room.
 
Variations of Isolde include Iseult, Isolt, Isoud, Isolda, Izolda, Isotta,and Yseult.

Isolde

Mamie is back. Having finally shorn her Mamie Eisenhower bangs, this insouciant and adorable nickname name is perfect if you want a zestier way to honor a beloved aunt Mary. Meryl Streep's actress daughter, properly named Mary Willa, is called Mamie Gummer. You might think of Mamie as a sister of the stylish Maisie.
 Mamie was a Top 100 name from the time records were published through 1912, falling off the list in 1966. There have been Mamie characters on two recent sitcoms: Hot in Cleveland and 3rd Rock from the Sun.

Mamie

Created by George R. R. Martin for his series A Song of Ice and Fire. Aemon Targaryen is the great-uncle of Daenerys.

Aemon

A lyrical choice with a similar feel to Story and Posy and a similar sound to Penelope. It might refer to either a work of poetry, a collection of poems, or something that is comparable to the beauty often associated with poetry as a form. 
 
Given to 10 girls in a recent year in the US, Poetry may receive more attention in the future after influencers Francesca Farago and Jesse Sullivan chose it for their daughter in 2024, a twin sister to brother Locket.

Poetry

With historical roots as a beautiful and intelligent ancient queen and literary ties to Hawthorne and Edith Wharton novels, this rarity could appeal to adventurous parents seeking the romantically unusual. Tina Fey used it as her daughter Alice's middle name.
 Zenobia was the intriguing third-century Queen of Palmyra who for a time ruled the eastern Roman Empire, Ethan Frome's wife Zeena was born Zenobia, and Zenobia Moodie was one of the most colorful characters in Nathaniel Hawthorne's The Blithedale Romance.
 Zenobia reached a high of Number 683 in 1909 but had dropped back out of the Top 1000 by the mid-1920s.

Zenobia

Long heard as a last name, as in venerable poet Robert, U.K. talk show host David, British actress Sadie and old Jack Frost, Frost has suddenly entered the scene as a possible first, along with other seasonal weather names like Winter and Snow.
 Some forward-thinking parents are beginning to warm to the icy simplicity of Frost, placing it among the most fitting <a href="https://nameberry.com/list/89/winter-baby-names">names for winter babies</a>.

Frost

Arty and elegant, Ginevra is one of the most popular girls' names in Italy at the moment, ranking at #3 in a recent year. Ultimately from the Arthurian Guinevere, it's a relative of Jennifer, meaning "white wave, white shadow" or "white phantom".
 
Ginevra is also used as the Italian name for the city of Geneva in Switzerland, and may additionally be associated with the word ginepro meaning "juniper". As such, it ticks plenty of boxes as a historical name, a mythical name, a place name, and a nature name.
 
Despite its popularity in Italy, it remains a rare choice in the US, given to just 25 girls in a recent year, and as such, it could make an unexpected honor for a family Jennifer. Nicknames Ginny and Gigi add to its appeal.

Ginevra

Zuleika is a high-wire act of a name that might appeal to the intrepid baby namer, Like most 'Z'-starting girls' names, it projects a cool, strong aura, as exemplified by the character in Max Beerbohm's satirical 1910 novel, Zuleika Dobson, a heroine so gorgeous that the entire student body of Oxford University committed collective suicide at the sight of her.
 Though not used directly in the Bible, according to medieval legend, Zuleika was the beautiful and passionate wife of Potiphar, a dignitary in the court of the Egyptian Pharoah to whom Joseph was sold; Zuleika and Potiphar were the parents of Ephraim. She was celebrated in several notable poems.
 Zuleika comes with a variety of spellings: model Iman named her daughter Zulekha, there was a Miss Universe named Zuleyka Rivera, Zuleikha is the British actress who played Ilana on Lost, while Charles Bronson stuck with the original Zuleika for his daughter, who became a successful model.

Zuleika

Briefly faddish a few decades ago when Darrell was cool. But does have a creative connection to poet Randall Jarrell.

Jarrell

Amory is the kind of executive-sounding surname name that became popular in the 1990s. Amory Blaine is the protagonist of the F. Scott Fitzgerald novel, This Side of Paradise.

Amory

Honora and Honoria are two ways of softening the severity of Honor, while retaining its righteous meaning. They were predominant until the Reformation, when the Puritans adopted the abstract virtue names, and were introduced to Britain by the Normans.
 Honoria Blake is a character in the Dickens novel Bleak House.
 The Irish form of the name is Onora. A variant spelling is Honorah.

Honora

Corin was used by Shakespeare in As You Like It, an unusual name that could make a more distinctive alternative to Corey or Colin. It is a name used in the illustrious Redgrave family of actors.

Corin

Gatsby is one of the most famous literary surnames, borne by the titular character of F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby. The book's Jay Gatsby gussied up his surname from Gatz, whose meaning is given variously as left-handed, cat, God, and person from Gat. As a first name, it's got a lot of energy and that great literary pedigree.

Gatsby

Paz, currently represented by actresses Paz Vega and Paz de la Huerts, would make a sparkling middle name choice. It originated as a title of the Virgin Mary, Our Lady of Peace, and is one of the <a href="https://nameberry.com/list/411/baby-names-that-mean-peace">names that mean peace</a>, derived from the Latin word "pax".
 Pazia is an attractive elaboration, while Pazit (pronounced Pah-ZEET) and Pazya are Hebrew variations. Paz in Hebrew means "gold" and is a solidly unisex option.

What with Mason scooting up the charts, this attractive place-name, with its thick Georgia accent, could make a more distinctive alternative.
 Macon has played major roles in two novels, Anne Tyler's The Accidental Tourist and Toni Morrison's Song of Solomon, in the latter as both a Macon Sr. and Jr.

Macon

Brought into the American consciousness as the nickname of ballet great Mikhail Baryshnikov, it more recently took on a unisex air via TV and screen actress Mischa Barton. Could become the next Sasha. 

Misha

A literary name figuring in the story of Ben Hur and the novels of Anthony Trollope that has the feel of Roman antiquity that is beginning to appeal to many parents. Quintus was one of only about twenty male first names in ancient Rome, and was often (though not exclusively) used for fifth sons.

Quintus

Created by Sarah J. Maas for the handsome High Lord of her Court of Thorns and Roses series of fantasy romance novels. Rhysand is based on the Welsh name Rhys, meaning "ardor".

Rhysand

Literary names, drawn from the characters in books for both adults and children as well as from the names of well-loved authors, are gaining in popularity. Literary names can confer meaning on a child as well as provide a worthy hero or heroine to look up to.

Names from the best-loved children's books may be gaining the most in popularity. While many of these — Alice (in Wonderland) and Charlotte (of the Web), say — carry references that go far beyond the literary, other names are closely identified with the characters who inspired their popularity.

literary baby names from children's and young adult books

 include Sawyer, Matilda, Finn, Holden, Lyra, and Eloise. Unique literary names from children's books or of young characters gaining attention include Huck, Ramona, Scout, and Hermione.

Historical novels also provide a rich source of popular literary names. Drawn from the works of authors from Shakespeare to Jane Austen to F. Scott Fitzgerald, 

 include Juliet, Archer, Scarlett, and Darcy, for both genders.

Emma, a Top 10 name in the US, France, Germany, Italy, and Ireland, among other countries, also has a 

 as the title character from the Jane Austen novel.

 are also notable. These might be first names, such as Willa (Cather), Edith (Wharton), Dashiell (Hammett), and Hart (Crane). The newest literary names are drawn from the surnames of famous authors. Along with Austen and Bronte, 

 we love include Auden, Poe, Angelou, and Baldwin.

Literary works adapted in recent years for popular television shows and movies

 have had a strong influence, especially from the name-rich works of J.K. Rowling and George R. R. Martin. Literary names that have been created or popularized by the

 franchises include Arya, Khaleesi, Katniss, Albus, and Bella.

True fans will want to investigate the specialized lists of 

The best place to start your search for the perfect literary baby name is with 

, of course. But you might love the name first and read the book or research the author afterwards.

Here is a collection of literary baby names.

Literary names include the names of beloved authors and book characters for book lovers, including literary names for girls and male literary names, with meanings, origins, and popularity. (Page 10)

Literary Names