Poetic Baby Names

  1. Vachel
    • Origin:

      French
    • Meaning:

      "one who raises cows"
    • Description:

      This is a French occupational namename brought to the fore by poet Vachel Lindsay, born Nicholas Vachel (Vachel being his father's first name), considered the founder of modern poetry intended to be sung or chanted. and also author of the first book of film criticism in 1915.
  2. Yeats
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "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.
  3. Mererid
    • Origin:

      Welsh
    • Meaning:

      "pearl"
    • Description:

      Welsh form of Margaret, borne by Mererid Hopwood, the first female poet to win the chair at the National Eisteddfod.
  4. Laudine
    • Origin:

      French
    • Meaning:

      "woman from Lothian"
    • Description:

      Laudine is a name from Arthurian legend, created in the 12th century by poet Chrétien de Troyes for his romance titled Yvain. Laudine, known as the Lady of the Fountain, marries the protagonist, Yvain, after he slays her husband.
  5. Ulalume
    • Origin:

      Literary invented name, Latin
    • Meaning:

      "wailing, a light symbolizing sorrow"
    • Description:

      The titular character of a tragic poem by Edgar Allen Poe set in a lonesome October. Ulalume may be representative of death itself, making the name feel gothic and otherwordly. The etymology is uncertain, but Poe may have derived it from the Latin ululare meaning wailing or lumen a light symbolizing sorrow.
  6. Fehmi
    • Origin:

      Turkish, Albanian, from Arabic
    • Meaning:

      "understanding, comprehension, knowing"
    • Description:

      A form of the Arabic name Fahmi, used in Türkiye and Albania. Albanian-Kosovar sociologist Fehmi Agani is considered a national hero, making this a great name to honour Albanian heritage, and for lovers of poetry, Fehmî was a 16th-century Ottoman poet.
  7. Albertino
    • Origin:

      Italian and Portuguese diminutive of Alberto, German
    • Meaning:

      "noble and bright"
    • Description:

      Both elegant and playful, this elaborate form of Alberto has been in use since at least the 13th century and was popular as a stand alone name in Brazil in the first half of the 20th century. It was historically borne by Albertino Mussato (1261–1329), a poet, historian, and playwright from Padua, Italy, who is known for promoting the revival of literary Latin and an interest in classical texts and the mythology of Greece and Rome.
  8. Cynri
    • Origin:

      Welsh
    • Description:

      A name from ancient Welsh literature: in the poem The Gododdin, the three leaders of the ill-fated army were Cynon, Cynri and Cynrain. To that end, the name might have been invented for poetic effect, although there are several Welsh names ending in -ri, meaning "king". Alternatively, it may be a form of the Anglo-Saxon name Cyneric.

  9. Herrick
    • Origin:

      German
    • Meaning:

      "war ruler"
    • Description:

      When you like Eric, but wish it were longer; also the name of a great early English poet.
  10. Neele
    • Origin:

      German, English
    • Description:

      Neele's roots can do in different directions- In Germany, Neele was traditionally a unisex name derived from Cornelia and Cornelius, but today has gone strongly to the girl's side (similar to Evelyn or Ashley today in the US). Neele is also an English surname, such as the British judge Richard Neele and poet Henry Neele.
  11. Dalma
    • Origin:

      Hungarian, Literature
    • Description:

      A literary name, originally created as a male name by the poet Mihály Vörösmarty, that is now in the Hungarian Top 100 for girls.
  12. Haiku
    • Origin:

      Japanese poetic form
    • Description:

      Short and sweet, just like the form of poetry - this name has serious potential as an interesting and plucky international choice.
  13. Dervla
    • Origin:

      Anglicized form of Irish Dearbhla or Deirbhile
    • Meaning:

      "daughter of the poet"
    • Description:

      Tongue twister of a name common in Ireland in both its Gaelic and its Anglicized forms. American or British parents looking for an Irish name that's still largely unknown in the outside world might consider this.
  14. Kyoka
    • Origin:

      Japanese
    • Meaning:

      "mirror; fragrant flower"
    • Description:

      Kyōka Izumi was a 19th-century surrealist author. He was a man, but a female character in the anime series Bungo Stray Dogs was named after him in full.
  15. Akam
    • Origin:

      Tamil
    • Meaning:

      "love"
    • Description:

      Despite its attractive meaning, this name is very rare in the States: it has only appeared twice in the US charts, in 2006 and 2020. Akam is a genre of Classical Tamil poetry, and the ring name of WWE wrestler Sunny Dhinsa.
  16. Troubadour
    • Origin:

      French word name
    • Meaning:

      "lyric poet"
    • Description:

      In medieval France, a troubadour was a knighted lyric poet who composed and sang songs about courtly love. As a baby name, Troubadour makes a romantic and stately choice for a child, although this bold choice may be better relegated as a middle name.
  17. Limerick
    • Origin:

      Irish place name; poetic form
    • Description:

      A limerick is an often humorous form of poetry with five lines (the last of which is the punchline). Limerick could be a fun choice for families with Irish heritage or a good sense of humor.
  18. Arofan
    • Origin:

      Welsh, meaning unknown
    • Description:

      A seventh-century Welsh poet about whom little more than his name is known.
  19. Poetic
    • Origin:

      English word name
    • Description:

      Poet is one of the most stylish, stand-out occupational names, and Poetic puts a fresh spin on this artsy, lyrical choice.
  20. Polyhymnia
    • Origin:

      Greek
    • Meaning:

      "one of many praises"
    • Description:

      Polyhymnia was one of the nine Muses of Greek mythology, associated with hymns, poetry, and dance. It's a whole lotta name for one girl, but now that Persephone and Calliope are on the table, Polyhymnia feels like much more of a possibility.