Names from the Arts and Pop Culture
Poetic Baby Names
Across 13 pages
of 13
Homer
Greek
"security, hostage, pledge"
Homer is a name of two halves, associated with the ancient Greek poet of the epic Odyssey and with the (often) doltish patriarch of The Simpsons . So does that make Homer a classic and scholarly…
Horace
Latin clan name
"timekeeper"
The ancient name Horace sounds fustily fuddy-duddy, and yet, with the resurrection of Homer, and the new interest in old Roman names...who knows. Its early popularity--it was in the Top 100 at the…
Edmund
English
"fortunate protector"
The sophisticated Edmund and its nearly-identical French twin Edmond are coming out of mothballs now that Edward, inspired by Twilight, is once again a hot name. In fact, it's already a fairly…
Edda
Norse
"poetry"
This Old Norse girl name has a lovely meaning and a familiar yet distinctive sound.
Hyperion
Greek
"the high one"
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…
Imagery
English word name
Often used in connection with poetry, Imagery has potential as an unusual name. Perhaps you'll get a daydreamer with this one.
Imtiaz
Arabic and Urdu
"distinction"
An unusual Arabic name, borne by the British poet and author Imtiaz Dharker.
Jarrell
English and French surname derived from a place-name, Gerville
Randall Jarrell was an important mid-20th century poet; his surname makes a pleasingly soft name for a girl.
Jarrell
German variation of Gerald
Briefly faddish a few decades ago when Darrell was cool. But does have a creative connection to poet Randall Jarrell.
Jia
Italian or Chinese
"God is gracious or home, family"
Jia might be considered a spelling variation of Gia, an Italian feminine form of John as a shortening of Gianna or Giovanna. Jia might also be the anglicized form of many Chinese names, which have…
Kahlil
Arabic
"friend"
Kahlil, spelled in various ways, was first brought into the American consciousness by the poet Kahlil Gibran, author of The Prophet.
Kalliope
Greek
"beautiful voice"
Original form of the more familiar Calliope, the muse of epic poetry. A calliope is a musical instrument sometimes called the steam organ, frequently found on carousels. With its rhythmic sound, this…
Kavi
Sanskrit
"poet, sage"
A subtle and attractive name for the child of a poet or poetry-enthusiast.
Kavita
Hindi, Sanskrit
"poem"
This Indian girl name not only has a gorgeous sound, it has a wonderful meaning as well — poem or poetry.
Kavya
Sanskrit
"poem"
Looking for a discreet poetic name? Extremely popular Indian actress Kavya Madhavan is a notable bearer of this lovely Indian name.
Kealoha
Hawaiian
"loved one"
An appealing Hawaiian name with a lovely meaning and vibrant sound – reminiscent of rising Hawaiian stars Kai, Koa and Kainoa. It derives from the words ke "the" and aloha "love". Keahloha is also a…
Brigid
Irish variation of Brighid
"strength or exalted one"
Brigid is the simpler Irish version of the name of the goddess of fire, which may also be spelled Brighid. Other variations include Bridget, the most usual spelling in the U.S., and the French…
Keats
English literary name
"kite"
Poetic and easy to pronounce (it's keets), this is one of many poets' names to consider, such as Auden, Eliot, Frost, Byron, Lorca, Marlowe, Blake, Emerson and Tennyson. Likely meaning "kite", in…
Dryden
English
"dry valley"
Underused literary name (as in the poet John) with a -den ending that's very much in style.
Brighid
Irish
"strength or exalted one"
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…