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Musical Theatre Names

Thatirishwriter
By Thatirishwriter
Updated Sat May 20 2023
Names inspired by or from popular musicals. Names include favourites from shows past and present.
  1. Agatha

    • Origin:

      Greek

    • Meaning:

      "good woman"

    • Description:

      Agatha until recently summoned up visions of martyred saints, mauve silk dresses, and high lace collars, but now that some dauntless excavators have begun to resurrect it, we're sure more will follow their lead. Actor Thomas Gibson used it for his daughter in 2004.
  2. Al

    • Description:

      Al is a masculine name that primarily functions as a shortened form of names beginning with 'Al,' such as Albert (meaning 'noble and bright'), Alfred ('wise counselor'), Alexander ('defender of the people'), or Alvin ('noble friend'). With its single syllable and straightforward pronunciation, Al projects a friendly, approachable quality that has made it enduringly popular as a nickname throughout the 20th century. The name peaked in popularity during the mid-1900s and carries associations with a generation of reliable, hardworking men. Al's simplicity gives it a timeless quality, though in recent decades it has become less common as a standalone given name, with parents more likely to use it as a familiar nickname for longer Al- names.

  3. Annie

    • Origin:

      English, diminutive of Ann

    • Meaning:

      "grace"

    • Description:

      Annie is one of the most open and optimistic, the-sun'll-come-out-tomorrow type of name, having been celebrated over the years in song (Annie Laurie), comic strip (Little Orphan Annie), folklore (Annie Oakley, born Phoebe), and film (Annie Hall). It strikes a nice old-fashioned-but-jaunty chord that still has appeal, but we do suggest that you consider putting a more formal version on her birth certificate.
  4. Audrey

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "noble strength"

    • Description:

      Audrey is one of the girls' names that have been rising due to their connection to Old Hollywood glamour—in this case the eternally chic and radiant Audrey Hepburn. Audrey has another very different appeal as one of the elite group of girl names that mean strong, brave, or powerful.
  5. Beatrice

    • Origin:

      Latin

    • Meaning:

      "she who brings happiness; blessed"

    • Description:

      Beatrice is back. Stored in the attic for almost a century, the lovely Beatrice with its long literary (Shakespeare, Dante) and royal history is being looked at with fresh eyes by parents seeking a classic name with character and lots of upbeat nicknames, like Bea and Bee.
  6. Brigitta

    • Description:

      Brigitta is a feminine name with rich historical roots, derived from the ancient Celtic name Brighid, meaning 'exalted one' or 'high goddess.' It's the Central European form of Bridget, particularly popular in Hungarian, German, and Scandinavian cultures. The name is associated with Saint Brigid of Kildare, one of Ireland's patron saints known for her generosity and compassion. Brigitta gained international recognition through characters in literature and film, including Maria's friend in 'The Sound of Music.' While maintaining its classic origins, Brigitta offers a more distinctive alternative to the more common Bridget or Brigitte, combining ancient Celtic heritage with continental European elegance.

  7. Connie

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Constance

    • Meaning:

      "steadfastness"

    • Description:

      Connie is a sweet and charming vintage nickname, which ranks in the top 200 in the UK and has a vintage charm that makes it ready for a comeback in the US as well.
  8. Crystal

    • Origin:

      Gem name

    • Description:

      Peaking at #9 in 1982, Crystal's popularity in the 70s and 80s stems from its sparkling natural namesake and several notable bearers, like country music singer Crystal Gayle and Dynasty character Krystle Carrington. But it has since lost some of its luster for American parents, now ranking in the mid-600s. Ruby, Gemma and Pearl are fashionable alternatives, but nowadays Crystal could actually be a more unexpected choice for your little gem.
  9. Chiffon
    • Daniel

      • Origin:

        Hebrew

      • Meaning:

        "God is my judge"

      • Description:

        Daniel is one of only a handful of male names that sounds both classic and modern, strong yet approachable, and popular but not cliched. It also has a solid Old Testament pedigree. The only real downside: There are about 10,000 Daniels named each year, making it a less than distinctive choice.
    • Diana

      • Origin:

        Latin

      • Meaning:

        "divine"

      • Description:

        Diana, the tragic British princess, inspired many fashions, but strangely, not one for her name. For us, Diana is a gorgeous and still-underused choice.
    • Elsa

      • Origin:

        German diminutive of Elisabeth

      • Meaning:

        "pledged to God"

      • Description:

        Lost in limbo for decades and decades, Elsa now stands a good chance of following along in the progression from Emma to Ella to Etta, thanks to the ice queen heroine who "Let It Go" in the wildly popular Disney movie Frozen. The name shot all the up to Number 286 (its highest ranking since the 1890s) in the year after the release of the movie, though it's now dropped back down the list in the US.
    • Freidrich

      • Description:

        Freidrich appears to be a variant spelling of Friedrich, a classic Germanic masculine name composed of the elements "frid" meaning "peace" and "ric" meaning "ruler" or "power." This powerful name translates roughly to "peaceful ruler" or "king of peace." The traditional spelling Friedrich has deep historical roots in German-speaking countries, associated with numerous notable figures including philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche and composer Friedrich Handel. The variant spelling Freidrich is considerably less common. The name exudes strength, intellect, and cultural gravitas, reflecting its long history among European nobility and thinkers. Though formal in nature, it offers friendly nicknames like Fred or Fritz. While traditional German names have experienced varying levels of popularity internationally, Friedrich in any spelling remains a distinguished choice with strong cultural connections.

    • Georg

      • Description:

        Georg is a masculine name representing the Germanic and Scandinavian form of George, ultimately derived from the Greek name Georgios (Γεώργιος), meaning "farmer" or "earth-worker" from the elements "ge" (earth) and "ergon" (work). This variant has been particularly popular in German-speaking countries, the Nordic nations, and parts of Eastern Europe for centuries. Notable bearers include composer Georg Friedrich Händel, mathematician Georg Cantor, and physicist Georg Ohm. Unlike the English George, Georg is typically pronounced with a hard 'g' sound at the end (gay-org). While relatively uncommon in English-speaking countries, the name maintains steady popularity in Germany, Austria, and Scandinavian countries, where it is appreciated for its classic, dignified character and cultural heritage.
    • Grace

      • Origin:

        English, virtue name

      • Description:

        Grace, a simple and pure virtue name which originally referred to divine grace, is a fashionable classic. In the early 2000s, it seemed headed for the Top 10 but pulled back from the upward trajectory, which you may consider a very good thing.
    • Gretl

      • Description:

        Gretl is a diminutive form of Margaret, used primarily in German-speaking regions, particularly Austria and Bavaria. The name derives from the Greek 'margarites' meaning 'pearl,' with Gretl emerging as an affectionate, familiar version. Most famously associated with the younger sister in the Von Trapp family (portrayed in 'The Sound of Music'), Gretl carries folkloric charm and Alpine cultural associations. The name has a warm, endearing quality with its compact form and distinctive ending. While uncommon outside German-speaking countries, Gretl offers an appealing alternative to the more widely used Gretel or Greta. The name evokes a sense of European heritage and traditional charm, making it attractive to parents seeking a name with cultural specificity and historical character.
    • Judy

      • Origin:

        Diminutive of Judith, Hebrew

      • Meaning:

        "He will be praised or woman from Judea"

      • Description:

        Judy was the nickname of choice for almost all the Judiths born in the 1940s and 50s; today's little Judiths are much more likely to be called Judith -- or, possibly, Jude.
    • Kim

      • Origin:

        English diminutive of Kimberly; Vietnamese; Scandinavian diminutive of Joachima; Soviet name

      • Description:

        Kim was the coolest name... of the 1960s. Kim was popularized by actress Kim Novak, and its energy is still maintained by rapper Lil' Kim, but it holds lil' or no appeal for new babies. Parents who like Kim's short, sweet sound might look to a choice such as Sam, Lou, or Belle.
    • Kristine

      • Origin:

        Scandinavian variation of Christine

      • Description:

        Christine was one of the first megapopular C-to-K baby names, from Scandinavian variations such as Kristine and Kirsten to Kris, Kristy, and Kristy. While Kristine retains its krisply lovely sound, it's lost much of its kool.
    • Kurt

      • Origin:

        German, diminutive of Kurtis

      • Meaning:

        "courteous, polite"

      • Description:

        A name that defines itself, a bit more curt in the harder K version.