Literature, TV, and Movies

Inspired/from books, writers, tv, and movies...
  1. Alanna
    • Origin:

      Variation of Alana
    • Meaning:

      "handsome, cheerful"
    • Description:

      The extra n makes it feel less like an feminization of Alan and more like a name unto itself. Alanna is more common in Puerto Rico than the original Alana.
  2. Atalanta
    • Origin:

      Greek mythology name
    • Meaning:

      "equal in weight"
    • Description:

      Atalanta was a beautiful mythological maiden who refused to marry any man who couldn't beat her in a footrace -- quite a role model. This myth is found in Ovid's Metamorphoses and later in Swinburne's Atalantis in Calydon.
  3. Alta
    • Aquila
      • Astarael
        • Bard
          • Origin:

            Irish variation of Baird, Scottish
          • Meaning:

            "minstrel, poet"
          • Description:

            Great Irish middle name choice for Shakespeare lovers.
        • Booker
          • Origin:

            English
          • Meaning:

            "scribe"
          • Description:

            Booker would make for a very cool name, for writers, reformers, R & B fans and those wanting to pay tribute to Booker T. Washington.
        • Caspian
          • Origin:

            Place name
          • Meaning:

            "white"
          • Description:

            One of the most romantic of appellations, Caspian is a geographical name referring to the large salty sea between Asia and Europe. It's also the name of the hero of C.S. Lewis's beloved Chronicles of Narnia, Prince Caspian.
        • Cedric
          • Origin:

            Celtic
          • Meaning:

            "bounty"
          • Description:

            Cedric was invented by Sir Walter Scott for the noble character of the hero's father in Ivanhoe, presumed to be an altered form of the Saxon name Cerdic. The name was later also given to Little Lord Fauntleroy, the long-haired, velvet-suited, and lace-collared boy hero of the Frances Hodgson Burnett book, who became an unwitting symbol of the pampered mama's boy.
        • Damien
          • Origin:

            French from Greek
          • Meaning:

            "to tame, subdue"
          • Description:

            Converting Damian to Damien – or Julian to Julien or Lucian to Lucien – adds a certain je ne sais quoi to names. But most people in English speaking areas will still pronounce this the same as the -an ending form. The French pronunciation is more like "dah-mee-u(n)".
        • Dante
          • Origin:

            Latin diminutive of Durant
          • Meaning:

            "enduring"
          • Description:

            Though closely associated with the great medieval Florentine poet Dante Alighieri -- who's so famous most people skip the last name -- it's not as much of a one-man name as you might think. Heck, it's not even a one-poet name, thanks to British pre-Rapahaelite Dante Gabriel Rosetti. Though especially well used in the Italian-American community, it would make a striking name for any little boy.
        • Edgar
          • Origin:

            English
          • Meaning:

            "wealthy spearman"
          • Description:

            Edgar is an Old English name historically associated with the tenth century English king known as Edgar the Peaceful. There was also a King Edgar of Scotland.
        • Edmund
          • Origin:

            English
          • Meaning:

            "fortunate protector"
          • Description:

            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.
        • Edwige
          • Origin:

            French from German Hedwig
          • Meaning:

            "war"
          • Description:

            Haitian writer Edwidge Danticat highlighted this sophisticated, chignon-wearing choice for literate parents.
        • Elliot
          • Origin:

            Anglicization of Elijah or Elias
          • Meaning:

            "Jehovah is God"
          • Description:

            Elliot (which boasts several spellings depending upon how many 'l's or 't's you want to use) is a winner -- it has the ideal quality of being neither too common nor weirdly unique. Elliot had a style boost back in the early 1980s via the young hero of the movie E.T. , who was named Elliott. Since then there have been Elliots on Law & Order: SVU and Mad Men.
        • Emrys
          • Origin:

            Welsh, variation of Ambrose
          • Meaning:

            "immortal"
          • Description:

            If you're looking for a Welsh name less common than Dylan, Griffin, Evan, or Morgan, you might want to consider this offbeat epithet of the wise wizard Merlin.

            Root name Ambrose is an ancient saints' name derived from the Greek ambrosia, the food and drink of the gods that conferred immortality.
        • Enok
          • Esther
            • Origin:

              Persian
            • Meaning:

              "star"
            • Description:

              Esther was derived from the Old Persian word stāra, meaning "star." In the Old Testament, Esther, originally named Hadassah, was the captured Jewish wife of the King of Persia who risked her life to save her exiled people from annihilation. This story is celebrated by Jews on the holiday of Purim, so that it has traditionally been given to girls around that time.
          • Felix
            • Origin:

              Latin
            • Meaning:

              "happy, fortunate"
            • Description:

              Felix is one of those ancient but nontraditional names for boys that have come into favor over the past few decades, a favorite of parents who want a masculine name with history and heft that breaks ranks with the standard Franks and Freds. Felix is also an international darling, ranking in the Top 100 in several European and English-speaking countries.
          • Frederick
            • Origin:

              German
            • Meaning:

              "peaceful ruler"
            • Description:

              Frederick, and friendlier nickname Fred, seemed almost to have disappeared, leaving just the memory of Freds past such as Astaire, Mr. Rogers and Flintstone. But today's parents are beginning to recognize it as a strong classic and one of the top royal baby boy names.