sunkernplus's list "names from fiction I like" of 20 great name ideas: Marisa - Lumen!

names from fiction I like

names from fiction as popular as street fighter to as obscure as me and my friends' OCS that I like

note: for some of these, i use actor or actress names if i don't like the characters' names (i.e. catherine and tate instead of donna)

A name made famous by Marisas Berenson and Tomei, never became as saturated as its cousin Melissa, so still a feasible choice. Marisa is one of those Spanish and <a href="https://nameberry.com/baby-names/505/italian-names-for-girls">Italian names for girls</a> that sounds at once unusual and familiar, which makes it truly an international choice.

 The meaning of Maria is uncertain, but theories include "drop of the sea" (from Hebrew roots mar "drop" and yam "sea"); "bitter" (from Hebrew marah "bitterness"); and "beloved" (from the Egyptian root mr).

Marisa

Saria is a feminine name with multiple potential origins. It may derive from Arabic roots, where it relates to 'sariya' meaning 'cloud that travels by night' or 'night journey.' In Hebrew contexts, it might be connected to the name Sarah, meaning 'princess.' Saria gained some recognition among gamers as a character name in the video game 'The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time,' which introduced it to a wider audience. The name has a melodic, flowing quality with its soft consonants and open vowel sounds. While not among the most common names in Western countries, Saria offers a beautiful alternative to more familiar names like Sarah or Sofia. Its multicultural roots and gentle sound make it appealing to parents seeking a name that feels both exotic and accessible.

Saria

Most Bills today are dads...or grandpas. The younger Williams are usually nicknamed Will, or called by their full names. 

Bill

Kolin is a masculine name that serves as a modern variant spelling of Colin. The name originates from the medieval diminutive of the Gaelic name Nicol or Nicholas, meaning 'victory of the people.' With its 'K' spelling, Kolin offers a contemporary twist that distinguishes it from the more traditional Colin while maintaining the same pronunciation. The name has a clean, strong sound that travels well across cultures. While less common than Colin, Kolin has gained some traction among parents looking for recognizable names with unique spellings. The name conveys qualities of victory, achievement, and strength while remaining approachable and easy to pronounce in most languages.

Kolin

A sweet and simple Japanese name with several possible meanings, depending on the kanji characters used.

Rey, a Ray-soundalike that has ranked on the boys' side for the past 15 years, is about to get more popular for girls too, now that it's the name of the new heroine of the latest Star Wars movie. While the sound of the name is nothing new, the royal connection is, joining names such as Reign (Kardashian) and Charlotte (the new Princess) in an expansive definition of <a href="https://nameberry.com/list/453/royal-baby-names">royal baby names</a>.

A great middle name option to honor a Kathryn. Coco Rocha used it for her daughter Iley's middle name.

Sam as a name standing on its own was given to only 18 girls in 2021, versus over 400 boys. But as a short form it's appealing and down-to-earth for both sexes, and heard far more often: There were over 2500 baby girls named Samantha in the US in one recent year and more than 8500 boys named Samuel, so you will hear the name Sam a lot more often than you might guess judging by the numbers for this short form. 

Like the wildly popular Charlie, Sam is a nickname that works equally well as a <a href="https://nameberry.com/girls-names">girls' name</a> as a boys'. All forms considered, Sam is still one of the most popular <a href="https://nameberry.com/search/baby-names-starting-with/s">names that start with S</a>.

Succinct and memorable, Yuki is a Japanese name, which may relate to winter or joy, depending on the kanji used. It is a unisex choice, notably borne by singer Yuki Kuramochi (stylized as YUKI). 

Yuki

Rock definitely has a macho image, if a somewhat caricatured one, ala The Rock. But with the rise of word names and also of tough guy names, Rock feels more plausible than it did a generation ago.

Rock

Cody is a once-trendy boys' name occasionally used for girls. The Cody trend has now given way to other nickname-y names such as Rory and Ruby.

Cody

An medieval English diminutive of Edith, which could make an unusual addition to simple vintage revivals like Eva, Ada and Ida. In Turkish, it means "well mannered".

A lacy, lucky name very popular in the Hispanic community a decade ago, less so now. 

Felicia

Erza is a feminine name with multiple cultural origins. In Albanian, it means 'dawn' or 'morning light', symbolizing new beginnings. The name also appears in Hebrew traditions, where it's considered a variant of Ezra, meaning 'help' or 'assistance'. Erza gained modern popularity particularly through the character Erza Scarlet in the manga and anime series 'Fairy Tail', contributing to its appeal among contemporary parents. The name has a strong, distinctive sound with its crisp 'z' consonant, while maintaining feminine qualities. Though still relatively uncommon in Western countries, Erza has been growing in usage as parents seek unique names with cross-cultural significance and powerful meanings.

Erza

Windham is a masculine name of English origin, derived from a place name meaning 'home by the windy hill' or 'windy homestead' in Old English. This distinctive surname-turned-first-name carries associations with nature and the outdoors through its wind element. Historically used as a family name in England, Windham has the distinguished feel common to many surname-to-first-name conversions. While not widely used as a given name, it offers parents seeking an uncommon choice a name with substantial history and clear English roots. Windham conveys a sense of tradition and refinement with its two-syllable structure and distinctive sound. It might appeal to those drawn to other nature-influenced or place-based names.

Windham

Jaymie is a modern feminine spelling variation of Jamie, which originated as a diminutive of James (ultimately from Hebrew meaning 'supplanter'). This creative spelling emerged during the late 20th century when alternative name spellings became increasingly popular. Jaymie carries the friendly, approachable quality of Jamie while offering a distinctively feminine appearance through the 'y' substitution. The name peaked in popularity during the 1970s-1990s but has since become less common, giving it a somewhat nostalgic quality today. Jaymie maintains a youthful, cheerful image and works well across various ages. Its unisex origins coupled with feminine spelling make it appealingly versatile.

Jaymie

Fiery but slight middle name choice; much more apt to be a redhead's nickname. 

Isley is used more often for girls, thanks to the similar name Isla, but actor Glenn Howerton chose it for his son, born in 2014. The musical connection via the Isley Brothers puts it in the same category as more common unisex musician names such as Lennon, Hendrix, and Bowie.

Isley

Since Morgan is used as--or more--frequently for girls as for boys, this feminization has fallen by the wayside. It drew some brief attention via the pop singer Morgana King. 
The similar Morgiana appears in Tales from the Thousand and One Nights.

Morgana

Lumen is a Latin word meaning "light", and the term used for the measurement of light output (making it an attractive choice for science-buffs). 
The name was used for a female character in the TV series Dexter (played by Julia Stiles), and a real-life bearer is the American (male) artist Lumen Martin Winter.