250+ Literary Baby Names inspired by Books

Books have been my refuge, my dream world and my source of endless inspiration.

My childhood saw me escape to fantasy world in words, to distant land, or to solve a case with some good detective. 

And literary baby names aren’t just pretty; they hold stories and memories, each reminding you of a character, a writer, or a time when you left your heart in their dust.

Think about how you feel when you hear the name Atticus – wise, virtuous, unquestionably heroic, from Harper Lee’s enduring To Kill a Mockingbird.

Or the grace and tragedy of the name Juliet, which was bound forever to that universal story of teen romance and desire.

It’s like naming your child after a long-lost friend who has walked with you to the ends of your favorite books, whispering lessons and making you smile.

I have compiled this list of baby names that I think are literary, from Shakespeare to poems by authors you love. 

There are names that feel timeless – such as Elizabeth from Pride and Prejudice – and names that feel novel and different, such as Lyra from Philip Pullman’s His Dark Materials.

Whether you need something tough and energetic, such as Rhett, or soft and poetic, such as Ophelia, there is a name here for the story you want to tell your baby.

So let’s visit this magical world of literary names and discover which ones tug at your heartstrings.

Shakespearean Baby Names

If you’re like me, you’ve been entranced by the drama, romance and sheer poetry of the Bard’s works since high-school English (or maybe after watching a couple of versions on Netflix).

Shakespearean names are this way of being timeless and original. Almost all of these names, such as Juliet and Romeo, are full of history and emotion.

If you’re looking for a name as dramatic and lovely as a sonnet by Shakespeare, these lists will blow your mind.

Girl

• Juliet – (English, Latin) Youthful, Sky father
• Lavinia – (Latin) Legendary mother of the Roman people
• Juno – (Latin) Queen of the heavens
• Cressida – (Greek) Gold
• Rosalind – (Latin) Supple horse, Pretty rose
• Titania – (Greek) Giant, great one
• Octavia – (Latin) Eighth
• Anne – (French, English, Hebrew) Grace
• Jessica – (Hebrew) To behold, Foresight
• Hermione – (Greek) Messenger, Earthly
• Portia – (Latin) Pig
• Desdemona – (Greek) Ill-starred
• Nerissa – (Greek) From the sea
• Thisbe – (Greek) Tragic lover in Greek mythology
• Charmian – (Greek) Joy
• Tamora – (Hebrew) Date palm

Boy

• Sebastian – (Latin, Greek) Person from ancient city of Sebastia
• Thomas – (Aramaic) Twin
• William – (German) Resolute protection
• Edmund – (English) Fortunate protector
• Ralph – (English, German) Wolf-counsel
• Titus – (Latin) Title of honor
• Romeo – (Italian) Pilgrim to Rome, Roman
• Ulysses – (Latin) Of Odysseus, Odyssey, Voyage, Wrathful
• Edgar – (English) Wealthy spearman
• Orlando – (Italian) Famous throughout the land
• Benvolio – (Italian) Good wisher
• John – (Hebrew) God is gracious
• Walter – (German) Commander of the army
• Edward – (British) Wealthy guard

Unique Literary Baby Names

If you are looking for a name that people stop and say, “Oh my god, that’s awesome!”, you’ve come to the right place. 

Think of names such as Atticus or Isolde that sound new and unique, but have an implicit backstory from a favorite book.

These are great names if you want to give your child a name that will stand out and remember your love of reading.

Girl

• Fleur – (French) Flower
• Scarlet – (French) Fine cloth, Red, Scarlet
• Catalina – (Spanish) Pure
• Ginevra – (Italian) White shadow, White wave
• Narcissa – (Greek) Daffodil
• Snow – (British) Snow
• Arrietty – (British) Dainty, Gorgeous
• Catriona – (Scottish, Greek) Pure
• Undine – (Latin) Little wave
• Fig – (English) Name of fruit
• Katniss – (Greek) Aquatic plant
• Prairie – (English) Prairie, Meadow, Grassland
• Swan – (English) Swan
• Calixta – (Greek) Most beautiful
• Zuleika – (Arabic) Fair
• Viviette – (French) Life
• Romola – (Latin) Roman woman
• Malta – (Greek) Place of honey, Sweetness
• Alabama – (Choctaw) Vegetation gatherers
• Feather – (American) Hair covering a bird, Light and soft
• Lalage – (Greek) To chatter
• Nicandra – (Greek) Man of victory

Boy

• Conan – (Irish) Little wolf
• Gatsby – (German) From Gaddesby
• Aramis – (French) From Aramits
• Mingus – (Scottish) Tenants of a manor
• Albus – (Latin) White, Bright
• Cleon – (Greek) Glorious, Renowned
• Franz – (German, Latin) Frenchman, Free man
• Laird – (Scottish) Lord of the land
• Rodion – (Russian, Greek) Song of the hero
• Auric – (German, Latin) Golden, Noble leader
• Jolyon – (English) Youthful
• Barley – (English) Grower or seller of barley
• Huxley – (English) Inhospitable place
• Fenno – (Finnish) Finnish tribe
• Amory – (German) Industrious
• Caspar – (Persian) Keeper of the treasure
• Fleming – (English) Man from Flanders
• Quebec – (Algonquin) Where the river narrows
• Munro – (Scottish) Mouth of the River Roe
• Dorian – (Greek) From the sea, From Doris
• Galway – (Irish) From the stony river

Classic Literary Baby Names

Classic literary baby names never get old.

Names such as Elizabeth (hello, Pride & Prejudice fans!) and The Chronicles of Narnia’s Edmund are very refined and elegant. These are names we’ve known for decades, if not centuries.

So if you’re interested in names that are classic and timeless, this list will definitely give you some pretty ones.

Girl

• Maisie – (Scottish) Pearl, Bitter
• Hazel – (English) The hazelnut tree
• Cordelia – (Latin, Celtic) Heart, Daughter of the sea
• Scarlett – (English) Scarlet, Red
• Dahlia – (Swedish) Dahl’s flower
• Ramona – (Spanish) Wise protector
• Cosette – (French) Little thing
• Zora – (Serbo-Croatian) Dawn
• Cecelia – (Latin) Blind
• Madeline – (English) High tower, Woman from Magdala
• Ann – (English, Hebrew) Grace
• Estella – (Latin) Star
• Honora – (Latin) Woman of honor
• Pilar – (Spanish) Pillar
• Verena – (Latin) Integrity
• Eudora – (Greek) Generous gift
• Cassie – (Greek) Prophetess, Shining over man
• Aphra – (Hebrew) Dust
• Mercy – (English) Compassion
• Charity – (English) Charity
• Sandra – (Italian, Greek) Defending men
• Amoret – (Latin) Little love, From Spenser’s The Faerie Queene
• Hester – (Persian) Star
• Pansy – (English, French) Thought
• Rosamond – (German) Horse protection
• Tristana – (Celtic) Sorrow

Boy

• Atticus – (Latin) From Attica
• Malachi – (Hebrew) My messenger
• Ignatius – (Latin) Fiery
• Dashiell – (French) From D’Assche, Normandy
• Phineas – (English, Egyptian) The Nubian
• Samson – (Hebrew) Sun
• Ford – (English) Dweller at the ford
• Byron – (English) Barn for cows
• Langston – (English) Tall man’s town
• Ishmael – (Hebrew) God will hear
• Bishop – (British) Bishop, Overseer
• Ezra – (Hebrew) Help
• Percy – (French) One who pierces the valley
• Fitzgerald – (Irish, Scottish) Son of Gerald
• Jarvis – (French) Servant spear
• Rhys – (Welsh) Ardor
• Dunstan – (English) Dark stone
• Walt – (German) Commander of the army
• Lemuel – (Hebrew) Devoted to God
• Doyle – (Irish) Black stranger
• George – (English, Greek) Farmer
• Kurt – (German) Courteous, Polite, Wolf
• Vidal – (Spanish, Latin) Life, Vital
• Denver – (English, French) Green valley, From Anvers

Author Inspired Literary Baby Names

And what if you named your baby after the author who changed your perspective?

Literary baby names, such as Hemingway or Austen, are a nod to the great storytellers who’ve inhabited our minds.

These names are the perfect way to pay homage to your literary heroes and to leave behind a legacy of innovation and thought in your child.

If you’re a reader who wants that kind of literary weight in your name, prepare to find the one.

Girl

• Djuna – (Invented) Novelist Djuna Barnes’s father created her name by combining her brother’s mispronunciation of “moon” and a character named Prince Djalma
• Rumer – (English) Fame, braggart
• Zola – (African, Congolese) Piece of earth
• Ayn – (English) Grace
• Chimamanda – (Igbo) My God will never fail
• Ottessa – (Greek, German, French) Wrathful, Prosperity in battle, Wealthy, Well Granting
• Roxane – (Persian) Dawn
• Lalita – (Sanskrit) Playful, Charming
• Nin – (Thai) Sapphire
• Didion – (French) Surname, Devil and stone
• Jesmyn – (Persian) Jasmine
• Glasgow – (Welsh) Green hollow
• Author – (English) Author
• Jhumpa – (Sanskrit) Charming

Boy

• Cain – (Hebrew) Spear, Possessed
• Behan – (Irish) Bee
• Moss – (English) Descendant of Moses
• Salinger – (British, German) One who came from Saint Leger, Of Salomon, Peace
• Austen – (Latin) Great, Magnificent
• Gore – (English) Wedge-shaped object
• Auster – (German surname) Oyster
• Thackeray – (English) Place with thatching
• Carver – (English) Wood carver
• Bellow – (English) Bellows maker
• Norris – (French) Northerner
• Plato – (Greek) Broad-shouldered
• Amis – (French) Friend
• Shakespeare – (English) Brandish spear
• Twain – (English) Divided in two
• Wharton – (English) Farm near the river
• Alcott – (English) Dweller at the old cottage
• Forster – (English) Scissors maker
• Hammett – (German) Home
• Ring – (British) Ring
• Byatt – (English) By the enclosure
• Rudd – (English) Red, Ruddy
• Cheever – (English) Female goat

Strong Literary Baby Names

Strong literary names, such as Atticus in To Kill a Mockingbird or Beatrix in Beatrix Potter’s universe, sound brave and assured.

These are names that were derived from characters or authors who took challenges head-on, and I don’t think there’s a better way to encourage your little one.

If you’re looking for a name full of courage and strength, this list has some great ones.

Girl

• Eloise – (French, English) Healthy, Wide
• Aurora – (Latin) Dawn
• Matilda – (German) Battle-mighty
• Willa – (German) Resolute protection, Will, Desire
• Lyra – (Greek) Lyre
• Sansa – (Sanskrit) Praise, charm
• Bluet – (English, French) Blue
• Louisa – (Latin) Renowned warrior
• Aerin – (Gaelic) Ireland
• Praxis – (Greek) Practical
• Louise – (French, English) Renowned warrior
• Tamsin – (English) Twin
• Clelia – (Latin) Famous
• Lissette – (French) God’s promise

Boy

• Ethan – (Hebrew) Strong, firm
• Lewis – (English) Renowned warrior
• Marius – (Latin) Manly, Dedicated to Mars
• Leopold – (German) Brave people
• Booker – (English) Scribe
• Septimus – (Latin) The seventh son
• Rainier – (German) Wise army
• Quintus – (Latin) Fifth
• Herman – (German) Soldier, Warrior
• Bernard – (German) Strong, Brave as a bear
• Arthur – (Celtic) Bear
• Milo – (Latin, Old German) Soldier, Merciful
• Gabriel – (Hebrew) God is my strength
• Wolf – (German) Wolf
• Chance – (French, English) Chancellor, Good fortune
• Baldwin – (German) Brave friend
• Virgil – (Latin) Staff bearer
• Charles – (German) Free man
• Hans – (German) God is gracious
• Martin – (Latin) Warlike
• Quillen – (Irish) Cub
• Brom – (English) Meadow where broom grows
• Thurber – (Norse) Thor the warrior

Poetic Baby Names

Poetic baby names are just so dreamy, right? They are soft and poetic, names one might say under the stars.

Names such as Pamela or Lowell sound rhythmic and classical for a child who’s born to be a writer.

These poetic choices will blow your mind if you’re after a name that is as chic as it is meaningful.

Girl

• Charlotte – (French) Free man
• Briana – (Irish) High, Noble, Exalted
• Emily – (Latin) Rival
• Sylvia – (Latin) From the forest
• Vanessa – (British) Butterfly
• Pamela – (English) All honey
• Bronte – (Greek) Thunder
• Feyre – (French) Beautiful, Fair, Light haired
• Haidee – (English) Modest
• Serafina – (Italian, Spanish) Ardent, Burning, Fiery
• Elizabeth – (Hebrew) Pledged to God
• Lolita – (Spanish) Lady of sorrows
• Honoria – (Latin) Woman of honor
• Precious – (Latin word name) Of great worth, expensive
• Waverly – (English) Meadow of quivering aspens

Boy

• Cullen – (Irish) Holly tree
• Auden – (English) Old friend
• Rudyard – (English) Red enclosure
• Waldo – (German) To rule
• Kipling – (English) From Cuppel’s People, Curer of salmon or herring
• Poe – (English) Peacock
• Hart – (English) Stag
• Thoreau – (French) Strength of a bull
• Keats – (English) Kite
• Wilde – (English) Undomesticated, Uncultivated
• Crane – (English) Crane
• Yeats – (English) Gates
• Bly – (English) Happy, friendly
• Lowell – (French) Young wolf
• Allan – (Irish, Scottish, English) Handsome, Peaceful, Little rock
• Jarrell – (German) Spear ruler

Elegant Literary Baby Names

Literary baby names, such as Evangeline or Tristram, sound gorgeous and polished, as if they were meant to be whispered.

These are elegant, traditional names, and fit a baby who will grow up elegant and classy.

If elegance is your thing, you’ll adore these choices.

Girl

• Evangeline – (Greek) Bearer of good news
• Calliope – (Greek) Beautiful voice
• Beatrix – (Latin) She who brings happiness, Blessed
• Guinevere – (Welsh) White shadow, White wave
• Amaryllis – (Greek) To sparkle
• Emma – (German) Universal
• Kitty – (English) Pure
• Colette – (French, Greek) People of victory
• Velvet – (English) Soft dense fabric
• Bathsheba – (Hebrew) Daughter of an oath
• Plum – (English) A fleshy purple fruit
• Atalanta – (Greek) Secure, Immovable
• Fancy – (Latin) Free man, Decorative, From France
• Luna – (Latin) Moon

Boy

• Hugo – (Latin, German) Mind, Intellect
• Magnus – (Scandinavian, Latin) Greatest
• Wilbur – (German) Resolute, Brilliant
• Barnaby – (English, Aramaic) Son of consolation
• Valentino – (Latin) Strength, Health
• Santiago – (Latin) Saint James
• Kip – (British) Pointed hill
• Gulliver – (Irish) Glutton
• Heathcliff – (English) Cliff near a heath
• Aristotle – (Greek) Superior
• Tennyson – (English) Son of Dennis
• Morrison – (English) Son of Morris
• Tristram – (Celtic)
• Robert – (English, German) Bright fame
• Lionel – (French) Young lion
• Beale – (English, French) Fair, Handsome

Exotic Literary Baby Names

Exotic literary names, such as Dora or Lukas, have a whiff of the extraordinary.

These are names that look and sound like the names of protagonists from books about distant lands, full of romance and occultism.

And if you’re after a name that’s a little quirky, a little literary and totally unforgettable, then these names will blow your mind.

Girl

• Maya – (Sanskrit, Greek, Hebrew) Illusion, Magic, Mother, Beloved
• Helen – (Greek) Torch, Shining light
• Bella – (Italian) Beautiful
• Kiki – (French, Japanese) Double happiness
• Anais – (Catalan, Hebrew) Grace
• Hana – (Hebrew, Hawaiian, Maori, Japanese) Grace, Work, Glow, Flower
• Sara – (Hebrew) Princess
• Clarissa – (Latin) Bright, Clear, Famous
• Heidi – (German) Noble, Nobility
• Dora – (Greek) Gift
• Pippi – (Greek, Norse) Lover of horses
• Clea – (Greek) To praise, Acclaim, Glory
• Sula – (Scandinavian) Little she-bear, Peace
• Esme – (French) Esteemed, Beloved

Boy

• Dante – (Latin) Enduring
• Owen – (Welsh) Young warrior, Well-born
• Zane – (Hebrew, Arabic) God is gracious, Beauty
• Ian – (Scottish) The Lord is gracious
• Mark – (Latin) Warlike
• Pablo – (Spanish) Small
• Axel – (Scandinavian) Father of peace
• Harun – (Arabic) Exalted
• Tony – (Latin) Priceless one
• Lukas – (German) Man from Lucanus
• Oskar – (Swiss) Deer friend, God’s spear
• Milan – (Italian, Slavic) Gracious, Dear

Royal Literary Baby Names

Royalty and literature are a very regal combo.

Royal literary baby names such as Arthur (think King Arthur’s tales) or Victoria (think royal British history) have that imperious, dignified feel that’s hard not to like.

These names suit parents who prefer something grand, classical and literary in style.

You will feel king-sized inspired if you want your child to be raised to believe they were meant for greatness.

Girl

• Beatrice – (Latin) She who brings happiness, Blessed
• Jane – (English) God is gracious
• Edith – (English) Prosperous in war
• Zadie – (English) Princess
• Margaret – (Greek) Pearl
• Isolde – (Welsh, German) Ice ruler
• Anna – (Hebrew) Grace
• Isadora – (Greek) Gift of Isis
• Marigold – (English) Golden flower
• Harriet – (English, French) Estate ruler
• Mary – (Hebrew, Egyptian) Drop of the sea, Bitter, Beloved
• Agatha – (Greek) Good woman
• Virginia – (Latin) Virginal, Pure
• Zenobia – (Greek) Force of Zeus
• Mamie – (Latin) Pearl, Star of the sea

Boy

• Victor – (Latin) Conqueror
• Alfred – (English) Wise counselor, Elf counsel
• Ernest – (English, German) Serious, Resolute
• Stephen – (Greek) Garland, Crown
• King – (English) Monarch
• August – (Latin) Majestic, Venerable
• Melchior – (Dutch, Hebrew) City of the king, King of light
• Jasper – (Persian) Bringer of treasure
• Geoffrey – (Anglo-Saxon, French) Pledge of peace
• Roald – (Norwegian) Famous ruler
• Harry – (English) Estate ruler
• Rasselas – (Literary name) Prince portrait

Character Inspired Baby Names

Names inspired by a character, such as Hermione or Gatsby, honor those who’ve made us what we see and how we feel.

So, if you are interested in naming your baby after a favorite character, you’ll definitely find something here.

Girl

• Alice – (German) Noble
• Pandora – (Greek) All gifted
• Hyacinth – (Greek) Blue larkspur, Precious stone
• Khaleesi – (American) Queen
• Amalia – (German) Work
• Vivi – (Scandinavian, Greek, Latin) Life, Wisdom, Olive
• Clarice – (Italian) Bright, Clear
• Arwen – (Sindarin) Noble maiden
• Mazikeen – (Hebrew) Harmful spirits
• Petal – (English, Greek) Leaf
• Ariadne – (Greek) Most holy
• Sheba – (Hebrew) Daughter of an oath
• Arabella – (Latin) Yielding to prayer
• Niobe – (Greek) Fern

Boy

• Silas – (Aramaic, Latin, Greek) Of the forest, Prayed for
• Rufus – (Latin) Red-head
• Conrad – (German) Brave counsel
• Truman – (English) Loyal one
• Homer – (Greek) Security, Pledge
• Brick – (English) Good person, Building stone
• Jerzy – (Polish) Farmer

Unisex Literary Baby Names

Genderless names are the new cool. 

Unisex literary baby names such as Rowan or Harper are versatile, contemporary and full of literary baggage. 

And if you’re searching for a super-cool and literary name, this list is packed with great ones.

• Esme – (French) Beloved
• Marin – (Latin) Of the sea
• Jo – (American) God is gracious, God will add
• Harper – (English) Harp player
• Bronte – (Greek) Thunder
• Flannery – (Irish) Descendant of Flannghal
• Riley – (English, Irish) Rye clearing, Courageous
• Scout – (French) To listen, Sent to discover
• James – (Hebrew) Supplanter
• Kinsey – (English) King’s victory
• Temple – (English) Dweller near the temple
• Christian – (Greek, Latin) Follower of Christ
• Darcy – (Irish, French) Dark one, From Arcy or the fortress
• Jude – (Hebrew) Praised
• Ellery – (English, Latin) Alder nook, Cheerful
• Ray – (German, English) King, Roe, Counsel, Ray of light
• Joyce – (Latin) Merry, Joyous
• Raleigh – (English) Meadow of deer
• Franny – (Latin) From France, Free man
• Beckett – (English, Irish) Bee hive or cottage, Little brook
• Cooper – (English) Barrel maker
• Walker – (English) Cloth walker
• Ellis – (English, Welsh) Benevolent
• Peyton – (English) Fighting-man’s estate
• Lee – (English) Pasture, Meadow
• Briar – (English) A thorny patch
• Corin – (Latin) Spear
• Rain – (British) Abundance from above
• Huckleberry – (American) Sweet berry
• Alma – (Latin) Nurturing, Soul
• Misha – (Russian) Who resembles God?
• Brett – (Celtic) From Brittany
• Dorian – (Greek) From Doris
• Finch – (English) To swindle, Songbird, Lively
• Caliban – (Romanian) Black
• Jupiter – (Latin) Godfather
• Rue – (English, French) Regret, Street, Herb
• Lux – (Latin) Light
• Sawyer – (English) Woodcutter
• Arya – (Sanskrit, Greek) Noble, Spiritual, Song, Air
• Elliot – (Hebrew) The Lord id my God
• Jules – (Latin, Greek) Youthful, Soft, Downy
• Archer – (English) Bowman
• Cody – (English) Helpful, Pillow
• Voltaire – (French) Determined thing
• Dabney – (French) From the city of Aubigny
• Macon – (French) Stone-worker, Marsh-dweller
• Seneca – (Latin, Native American) People of the standing rock
• Chaucer – (English) Maker of breeches
• West – (British) Western stream
• Scott – (English) From Scotland
• Hadley – (English) Heather field
• Ellison – (English) Son of Ellis
• London – (Latin) Capital city of England
• Carson – (English, Scottish) Son of the marsh dwellers
• Hemingway – (Danish) Way, path
• Shelley – (English) Clearing on a bank
• Tennessee – (Native American) Where the waters meet, Gathering place
• Blake – (English) Fair-haired, Dark
• Chandler – (English, French) Candle maker
• Emerson – (English) Son of Emery
• Dylan – (Welsh) Son of the sea
• Angelou – (Greek) Angel
• Frost – (English) Freezing
• Neruda – (Japanese) Nell
• Eliot – (Hebrew) The Lord is my God
• Carroll – (Irish) Fierce in battle
• Shel – (British) Diminutive form
• Vida – (Spanish) Life
• Milan – (Italian, Slavic) Gracious, Dear
• Paz – (Hebrew, Spanish) Gold, Peace
• Cato – (Latin) All-knowing

Wrapping Up

I hope that this tour through the literary baby names has piqued your imagination as much as mine has.

If you’ve fallen for a classic name such as Charlotte that’s graceful or a unique name such as Dorian that’s a bit dark, naming your child a literary name is like giving them a narrative.

It’s a way to pass your book-love on, and to hand down the storytelling power that helped you become who you are.

And don’t forget, the name you give will be the first page of your child’s novel, one they’ll always be proud to read.

So, be it grand, ethereal or characterful, know that the literary name will inspire and amaze your little boy or girl. 

Happy naming and happy reading!