Sweekune's list "Names from my 52 books in 52 weeks challenge" of 20 great name ideas: Sheryl - Bilbo!

Names from my 52 books in 52 weeks challenge

A list of names encountered during my 52 in 52 challenge.
For full list of books read so far, have a look at my reviews on my blog at: http://thereviewinators.wordpress.com/

Somehow, the S versions are even more passe than the C's. 

Sheryl

One of the most popular nicknames of the fifties and sixties — and who could forget the romantic heroine of "Wuthering Heights"? — now largely ignored in favor of Cate or Kate.

Cathy

Gail was a mid-twentieth century favorite, which has been far surpassed by its original form, Abigail and nickname Abby. Spelling variations include Gale and Gayle, the latter represented by TV journalist and Oprah bestie Gayle King. Gail was most popular in the 1950s, when it was in the Top 40, and could rise again, possibly as a middle.

Gail

Benjy is an endearing diminutive form of Benjamin, a name with Hebrew origins meaning "son of the right hand" or "son of the south." This cheerful nickname has a friendly, approachable quality that maintains the traditional roots of Benjamin while offering a more casual alternative. While less commonly used as a formal given name than Benjamin, Benjy has maintained steady usage particularly in English-speaking countries. The spelling variant "Benji" gained notable recognition through the popular 1974 film about a lovable stray dog named Benji, which helped cement the name's associations with loyalty and warmth. The nickname carries a youthful energy that some men choose to maintain into adulthood.

Benjy

Jessamine, a charming name occasionally heard in England, is just beginning to be appreciated in the U.S. as a possible successor to all the Jess names of the past. It's also spelled Jessamyn, as in Quaker novelist Jessamyn West, author of Friendly Persuasion--who started life with Jessamyn as her middle name.
 Jessamine began to be used as a first name in Britain around 1900, along with other flower-related names. Yasmin and Yasmine are other Jasmine variations.
 This would make a great choice as a namesake honoring a Jessica.

Jessamine

Kids love Bob the Builder, but do they want to be Bob the Builder? Bob and Bobby have been out of style since the 1960s, but as vintage nickname-names -- Fred, Archie -- come back into vogue, Bob may tag along.  Charlie Sheen used it for one of his twin sons.

Teddie is a masculine name typically used as a diminutive form of Edward, Theodore, or Edmund. This spelling variation adds a playful, affectionate quality to the more common 'Teddy.' The name carries warm, friendly associations while maintaining connections to its more formal counterparts with their noble meanings: Edward (wealthy guardian), Theodore (gift of God), or Edmund (prosperous protector). Teddie reached its peak popularity in English-speaking countries during the early 20th century but has since become less common as a given name. It conveys a cheerful, approachable personality and retains a certain vintage charm that has appeal in contemporary naming trends focused on reviving nickname-style given names.

Teddie

Edwina may still be taking tea in the parlor, but we can see her joining friends like Matilda and Josephine for a comeback, especially if pronounced like Edwin rather than Edween. 
 She had a very non-vintage-mauve image in the Coen brothers' cult favorite, Raising Arizona, in which Holly Hunter played a police officer named Edwina who was usually called Ed.
 Edwina was on the Social Security list every year through 1969, reaching a high of 378 in 1943.

Edwina

Now that Kimberly is no longer one of the top girl names, Kim or long form Kimball feel more gender neutral. 

Kimball

Keli is a short, feminine name with multiple possible origins. It could be a variant spelling of Kelly (an Irish surname meaning "warrior" or "bright-headed"), a shortened form of names like Kelila or Keely, or possibly a Hawaiian name meaning "the powerful one." This cross-cultural versatility adds to its appeal. Keli's simplified spelling gives it a modern, streamlined quality compared to the more common Kelly. While never ranked among the most popular names in the US, it saw modest usage during the 1970s and 1980s when short, familiar-sounding names were trending. The name's brevity and easy pronunciation make it accessible across many languages and cultures.

Keli

Lynne is a feminine name with Welsh origins, derived from the Welsh word 'llyn' meaning 'lake' or 'waterfall.' It gained popularity as an independent name in the mid-20th century, though it was initially used as a variant of Linda or Lynn. Lynne peaked in popularity in the United States during the 1950s and 1960s, reflecting the trend toward shorter, sleeker feminine names. While its usage has declined since then, Lynne maintains an air of classic simplicity and elegance. The name is often associated with qualities like intelligence and creativity. Lynne is also sometimes used as a middle name or as part of hyphenated first names like Mary-Lynne or Anna-Lynne.

Lynne

Evvy is a charming feminine name that typically functions as a diminutive of names like Evelyn, Eve, or Evanthia. This sweet, compact name has an inherently playful quality with its bouncy sound and friendly double 'v.' While sometimes used as a nickname, Evvy has increasingly appeared as a given name in its own right, appealing to parents drawn to short, lively names with vintage charm. The name carries connections to Eve (meaning 'life' in Hebrew) and Evelyn (with Celtic origins meaning 'pleasant' or 'beautiful bird'). Though uncommon in formal statistics, Evvy fits well with the trend toward cheerful, nickname-style given names while maintaining versatility—it can grow from childhood to adulthood with equal measure of spirited energy and approachable warmth.

Evvy

Amalthea

Attean

Auric is an Ian Fleming anti-hero, better known as Goldfinger.  Better to go with James.  Or even Bond.

Auric

Aurnia

Unusual Asian option, and also the name of the Dwarf Lord from Lord of the Rings.

Balin

A literary word name, now synonymous with Shakespeare, Bard also refers more generally to a poet, particularly one who recited epics and traditional poems out loud. Similar in sound to Bernard, Barnaby, and Ford, and similar in style to Quill and Poet, Bard hasn't appeared in the US stats since the late 70s. With the release of the 2026 movie, The Odyssey however, it may gain more attention, after Travis Scott played the role of "Bard" in the film.