Poetic Baby Names
- Hyperion
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"the high one"Description:
In Greek mythology, Hyperion is one of the twelve Titans: children of Gaia (Earth) and Uranus (Sky). Hyperion presides over heavenly light, and is the father of Helios (Sun), Selene (Moon), and Eos (Dawn).
- Knight
Origin:
English word nameMeaning:
" a mounted man-at-arms serving a feudal superior"Description:
Knight (as opposed to Night) is a name clad in shiny armor. This high-ranking word name was introduced by singers Kelis and Nas. Knight might join brothers King, Royal, and Noble in a new definition of royal baby names.
- 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.
- Lucasta
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"pure light"Description:
Lucasta was invented by seventeenth century poet Richard Lovelace for a collection of poems dedicated to a lover named Lucy, and is familiar through the Eugene O'Neill play and film Anna Lucasta. Lucasta is a distinctive, rarely used choice and a logical extension of the Luke/Luc/Luca names.
- Villanelle
Origin:
English from ItalianMeaning:
"pastoral song"Description:
Is Villanelle the new Sonnet? This elaborate name is a form of poetry — an example is Dylan Thomas's Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night — but many know it better as an assassin's codename in the TV show Killing Eve. Inspired by that, Villanelle debuted on the American charts in 2022 when it was used for five baby girls.
- Kavi
Origin:
SanskritMeaning:
"poet, sage"Description:
A subtle and attractive name for the child of a poet or poetry-enthusiast.
- 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.
- Kavya
Origin:
SanskritMeaning:
"poem"Description:
Looking for a discreet poetic name? Extremely popular Indian actress Kavya Madhavan is a notable bearer of this lovely Indian name.
- Whitman
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"white man"Description:
Whitman, a namesake surname for poet Walt, would be much more suited to a boy, probably because of that "man" part. Whit or Witt makes an uplifting short form which can be used on its own.
- Mireia
Origin:
Catalan form of MireilleMeaning:
"to admire"Description:
Popular name in Spain drawn from the Provencal Mireio, coined by the poet Frederic Mistral. Very pretty and, though difficult to spell and pronounce, simpler than the French version.
- 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.
- Rudyard
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"red enclosure"Description:
Often thought of as a one-peson name because of Jungle Book writer Kipling, this was actually his middle name. He was middle-named for Rudyard Lake in Staffordshire, the beauty of which inspired his parents to reference it in their first child's name. Trivia tidbit: Actress Kim Raver gave her son Leo the middle name of Kipling.
- Aristeia
Origin:
Literary term from GreekMeaning:
"the best"Description:
In epic poetry, the term aristeia is used to denote the climactic point where the hero/heroine has their finest hour. Aristeia feels at home with other big Greek names like Atalanta, Cassiopeia and Galatea. We think this name has potential for parents who think Poem, Saga and Rhapsody are too obvious.
- Ogden
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"from the oak valley"Description:
Rarely used surname, associated with humorous poet Ogden Nash.
- Liadan
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"grey lady"Description:
An old Irish saint’s name and the name of a lovelorn poetess in Irish folk legend. Liadain is another variation.
- 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.
- Runo
Origin:
FinnishMeaning:
"poem"Description:
The pronunciation is not intuitive to English speakers, who aren't used to Os said as As.
- Dearbhla
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"daughter of the poet"Description:
Dearbhla along with its Anglicized form Dervla are both well-used in modern Ireland. There was a medieval Saint Dearbhla. The spelling Deirbhile is also used.
- Ode
Origin:
Word name or medieval English form of OttoDescription:
Ode could be part of the extended Otto/Otis family, or it might be a literary term, referring to an elaborate lyric poem.
- Bard
Origin:
Irish variation of Baird, ScottishMeaning:
"minstrel, poet"Description:
Great Irish middle name choice for Shakespeare lovers.