Poetic Baby Names
- Arofan
Origin:
Welsh, meaning unknownDescription:
A seventh-century Welsh poet about whom little more than his name is known.
- Assia
Origin:
ArabicMeaning:
"protect"Description:
Assia is a Muslim name, best known in the Western world via tragic poet Assia Wevill, who was married to British poet Ted Hughes after Sylvia Plath and also committed suicide.
- Astrophel
Origin:
Literary nameMeaning:
"star lover"Description:
Invented by 16th-century English poet Sir Philip Sidney for the hero of his sonnet sequence Astrophel and Stella, this name is derived from the Greek elements aster "star" and philos "lover". Sidney’s heroine, and Astrophel’s love-interest, is Stella — whose name means "star".
- Auden
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"old friend"Description:
A softly poetic surname name, associated with poet W.H., Auden is enjoying quiet but marked fashion status. It was chosen for his daughter by Noah Wyle and is definitely one to watch.
- Auden
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"old friend"Description:
The poetic, soft-spoken Auden has recently started to be considered as a first name option, used for both sexes, appreciated for its pleasing sound as well as its link to the distinguished modern Anglo-American poet W.H. Auden.
- Audre
Description:
Audre is a feminine name that represents a variant spelling of Audrey, derived from the Anglo-Saxon name Æðelþryð, meaning 'noble strength.' This unique spelling gained some recognition through the influential American writer Audre Lorde, who was a prominent feminist, civil rights activist, and poet during the 20th century. While less common than the traditional spelling, Audre offers a distinctive alternative that maintains the elegant sound of the original. The name carries connotations of independence, intellectual strength, and creative expression. Though relatively uncommon in mainstream usage, Audre appeals to parents seeking a classic name with a contemporary twist and literary associations.
- Bacchus
Origin:
Roman mythology nameDescription:
Only if you're hoping for your son to become a wine-besotted poet. To the ancient Romans, Bacchus was the god of agriculture, wine and fertility.
- Baird
Origin:
Scottish occupational nameMeaning:
"minstrel, poet"Description:
Meaning bard, this is an original choice with poetic and melodic undertones. Bard itself has also come into consideration, both names bringing to mind Shakespeare and other literary lights.The Scottish surname Baird's most notable bearer was John Logie Baird, the Scottish engineer and inventor of the televisor, the world's first practical television system in 1926, and also the world's first fully electronic color TV tube two years later. Some might also remember puppeteers Bil and Cora Baird.
- Bard
Origin:
Irish variation of Baird, ScottishMeaning:
"minstrel, poet"Description:
Great Irish middle name choice for Shakespeare lovers.
- Belphoebe
Origin:
Invented literary nameMeaning:
"beautiful shining one"Description:
The name of the character in Edmund Spenser's "The Faerie Queene" whom the poet intended as a representation of Queen Elizabeth I. While it will no doubt thrill your daughter's English professor, the addition of the "Bel" to already great Phoebe is on the fussy side.
- Beowulf
Origin:
Old EnglishMeaning:
"bee wolf"Description:
This ancient name is that of the hero of the epic Beowulf, which is thought to be the oldest-ever poem in English lit written in the vernacular. J. R. R. Tolkien used the poem as one of his inspirations for The Lord of the Rings.
- Bly
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"happy, friendly"Description:
The surname of enterprising journalist Nellie Bly and poet Robert Bly makes a simple, modern, and upbeat sounding choice for either a boy or a girl.
- Bly
Origin:
English surname nameMeaning:
"friendly"Description:
The surname of enterprising journalist Nellie Bly and poet Robert Bly makes a simple, modern, and upbeat sounding choice for either a boy or a girl.
- Bolan
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"little poet"Description:
An Irish surname name with a combination of boldness and élan. Some might connect it to the founder of the group T. Rex -- Marc Bolan.
- Brighid
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"strength or exalted one"Description:
Brighid is the original Gaelic form of the name of the mythological goddess of fire, poetry, and wisdom. More commonly found these days in any number of different guises: Bridget, Brigid, Brigitte et al. Whatever form it takes, Brighid is one of the most classic and enduring Irish names for girls.
- Cadman
Origin:
Anglo-SaxonMeaning:
"warrior"Description:
Caedmon is considered the first English poet -- a nice literary tie-in to the streamlined version.
- Caedmon
Origin:
Anglo-Saxon, BrythonicMeaning:
"battle, wise warrior"Description:
An ancient name with poetic and mystical qualities, Caedmon was borne by a 7th-century poet, notable for being the first English poet to have their name recorded.
- Caissa
Origin:
Italian invented nameDescription:
Caïssa was invented as a goddess of chess by Italian poet Marco Girolamo Vida in 1527. The name is known in the chess community, but not much outside of that.
- Canto
Origin:
ItalianMeaning:
"song or stanza"Description:
A canto is a literary term denoting a long passage in a poem. Dante's Divine Comedy is broken into such cantos. As a name, Canto packs in literary credentials with pithy punch.
- Caoilte
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"slender"Description:
In Irish legend Caoilte or Caílte was a warrior of the Fianna and their foremost poet.
The Nameberry App Is Live
Find your perfect baby name together in our app, now available on the App Store and Google Play.
- Swipe through thousands of names with your partner
- Names you match on are saved to your shared list
- Get personalized recommendations that learn based on your and your partner's preferences
- Partner with friends and family to find names you all love
- Backed by Nameberry's 20 years of data around name preferences.
