Poetic Baby Names
- Yeats
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"gates"Description:
Yeats, the strong name of the great Irish poet, would work better for a boy. Also has possible pronunciation problem with people who might think it rhymes with Keats. Yeats rhymes with the word from which it's derived: gates.
- Dalma
Origin:
Hungarian, LiteratureDescription:
A literary name, originally created as a male name by the poet Mihály Vörösmarty, that is now in the Hungarian Top 100 for girls.
- Thamyris
Origin:
GreekDescription:
The name of an ancient Thracian bard in Greek mythology, who boasted that he could sing better than the Muses. He was defeated, and his eyesight and poetic ability taken away, demonstrating that all god-given gifts can also be taken away by the gods.
- Jarrell
Origin:
English and French surname derived from a place-name, GervilleDescription:
Randall Jarrell was an important mid-20th century poet; his surname makes a pleasingly soft name for a girl.
- 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.
- Epik
Origin:
Variation of Epic; English word nameMeaning:
"heroic tale or event"Description:
Epik is a new word name used by Princess Love and Ray J for their baby boy. Fifteen baby boys were named Epic, the usual spelling of the word, last year, so maybe Epik is to Epic as Erik is to Eric. While Epic in the classic sense refers to a long narrative poem, today it's more likely a slang word used in place of grand or amazing.
- Frost
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"freezing"Description:
Frost is a name parents are beginning to warm to, appreciating its icy simplicity and connection with the venerable poet Robert. Frost, along with Winter, Snow, and January, are also perfect names for winter babies.
- Tahirih
Origin:
PersianMeaning:
"the pure one"Description:
The name of a venerated 19th century poet and martyr in the Bábí and Bahá'í faiths. She was an early proponent of women's rights, famously removing her veil among a crowd of men at the Conference of Badasht in 1848. For this she was placed under house arrest, and executed four years later on account of her beliefs.
- Haiku
Origin:
Japanese poetic formDescription:
Short and sweet, just like the form of poetry - this name has serious potential as an interesting and plucky international choice.
- Malvina
Origin:
ScottishMeaning:
"smooth-browed one"Description:
An invention of the eighteenth-century romantic poet James Macpherson, in his epic cycle about Ossian, a legendary Celtic hero. In Poland, where it was popular at the start of the 20th century, the spelling is Malwina, and it's also had some use in other Eastern European countries.
- Sanelma
Origin:
FinnishMeaning:
"story, poem"Description:
Sanelma is an invented Finnish name derived from the verb sanella, meaning "to dictate."
- Triolet
Origin:
FrenchMeaning:
"short verse poem"
- Rupa
Origin:
SanskritMeaning:
"silver"Description:
Related to the Indian word and currency "rupee', Rupa derives its meaning from the ancient Sanskrit language, and can mean both silver and beautiful. Rupa also has strong historical and literary associations (as Rupa Bhawani was a noted 16th Century poetess and mystic) from Kashmir.
- 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.
- Aretousa
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"quick water; virtue"Description:
This name was invented by the Cretan writer Vikentios Kornaros for the love interest of his 17th-century romantic epic poem, Erotokritos. Considered one of the greatest — if not the greatest – works of literature from Crete, Aretousa holds a lot of cultural significance for those with heritage from the island. In terms of etymology, Aretousa is either a variant of Arethousa or an elaboration on Areti.
- Emare
Origin:
FrenchDescription:
The name of a medieval romance poem. The title character, Emaré, was desired for her great beauty.
- Speranza
Origin:
Judeo-ItalianMeaning:
"hope"Description:
The 19th-century Irish poet Jane Wilde (mother of Oscar Wilde) adopted Speranza as her nom de plume. The name also appears in Spenser’s The Faerie Queene, as one of the three virtues: Fidelia (Faith), Speranza (Hope), and Charissa (Charity) — daughters of Caelia (Heavenly). Related to Esperance (French) and Esperanza (Spanish).
- 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.
- Poesy
Origin:
Word nameMeaning:
"poetry"Description:
This old-fashioned word for poetry has some antiquated charm but doesn't exactly roll off the tongue.
- 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.