Poetic Baby Names

  1. 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.
  2. Cadman
    • Origin:

      Anglo-Saxon
    • Meaning:

      "warrior"
    • Description:

      Caedmon is considered the first English poet -- a nice literary tie-in to the streamlined version.
  3. Verse
    • Origin:

      English word name
    • Meaning:

      "verse"
    • Description:

      Writing-related names are starting to become more popular, with names like Poet, Story, and Lyric having been used by many a celebrity. Now it's Verse's turn, as it was recently used by Teen Mom's Kailyn Lowry for her son.
  4. 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.
  5. Ottava
    • Origin:

      Word name from the Latin
    • Meaning:

      "eight"
    • Description:

      In literature, the Ottava rima is a form of poetry. Alternatively, Ottava could be used as a variation of Octavia.
  6. Epik
    • Origin:

      Variation of Epic; English word name
    • Meaning:

      "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.
  7. Tiril
    • Origin:

      Norwegian
    • Description:

      The exact origins of Tiril remain a mystery, but it is generally considered to be a name from Norwegian poetry. The heroine of Johan Sebastian Cammermeyer’s fantastical poem "Lokkende Toner" is Tirilil Tove.
  8. Lin-manuel
    • Origin:

      Hispanic, Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "flax; forest; spirit, soul + God is with us"
    • Description:

      Notably borne by singer, writer, film-maker, and actor Lin-Manuel Miranda, this distinctive double-barrelled name is a poetic choice. It comes from the poem Nana roja para mi hijo Lin Manuel ("Red Lullaby for My Son Lin Manuel") by the Puerto Rican writer José Manuel Torres Santiago, about the Vietnam War, making it a literary option.
  9. Heddwyn
    • Origin:

      Welsh
    • Meaning:

      "blessed peace"
    • Description:

      A bold Welsh name with a gentle meaning, Heddwyn is notably associated with the poet Ellis Humphrey Evans, who died at Passchendaele during World War One. He used Hedd Wyn as his Bardic name, having been inspired by the way sunlight broke through the mist in the Welsh valleys, making this a truly poetic feeling choice. In fact, it only started to be used after the poet's death.
  10. Jarrell
    • Origin:

      English and French surname derived from a place-name, Gerville
    • Description:

      Randall Jarrell was an important mid-20th century poet; his surname makes a pleasingly soft name for a girl.
  11. Aretousa
    • Origin:

      Greek
    • Meaning:

      "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.
  12. Vision
    • Origin:

      English word name
    • Meaning:

      "the state of being able to see"
    • Description:

      This newly-minted gender neutral word name has a spiritual and creative feel. It was given to 6 baby girls and 13 boys in 2021.
  13. Villemo
    • Origin:

      Swedish, literary name
    • Description:

      Invented by Swedish author August Strindberg for a 1909 poem of the same name, this quirky choice is rare even in its native land but would make for an extremely eye-catching choice outside it. It may be based on Vellamo, a Finnish sea goddess.
  14. Emare
    • Origin:

      French
    • Description:

      The name of a medieval romance poem. The title character, Emaré, was desired for her great beauty.
  15. Rhymer
    • Origin:

      English word name
    • Description:

      Creative alternative to names like Riley, Ryder, and Ryker, of which you'll find many in a Kindergarten classroom.

      As a poetry-related baby name, Rhymer feels more unexpected than Sonnet or Poet.

  16. Dryden
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "dry valley"
    • Description:

      Underused literary name (as in the poet John) with a -den ending that's very much in style.
  17. Phenex
    • Description:

      Phenex is a demon known as one of the Great Marquis of Hell, ruling over legions of demons. He is known for science and poetry.
  18. 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.
  19. Elegy
    • Origin:

      English word name from the Greek Elegeia
    • Meaning:

      "lament"
    • Description:

      An elegy is a poem lamenting a deceased person. As a name, it could be used by parents in remembrance of a recently deceased person or as a euphonic and unusual literary name. The original Greek could also work.
  20. Triolet
    • Origin:

      French
    • Meaning:

      "short verse poem"

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