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Literary Baby Names
Each name with its meaning, U.S. popularity, and an audio pronunciation on every page.
Explore 436 baby names with a literary feel. Every name links to a full page with its sourced meaning, origin, popularity chart, famous bearers, and a clear audio pronunciation. Names are listed most-popular first.
Literary Girl Names
Emerson#122 in the U.S.Son of Emery; Emery derives from Germanic Amalric meaning 'work-power' or 'brave power'Jane#221 in the U.S.God is graciousCamille#240 in the U.S.Attendant at religious ceremonies; helper of the priestOphelia#264 in the U.S.Help, aid; one who offers assistanceSawyer#291 in the U.S.One who saws wood; a woodcutter or sawyer by tradeEsme#298 in the U.S.Beloved, esteemed; highly regardedSylvia#300 in the U.S.From the forest; spirit of the woodsElaine#305 in the U.S.Bright, shining light — Old French form of HelenFrancesca#307 in the U.S.Free; free person — Italian feminine of FranciscusColette#316 in the U.S.French feminine diminutive of Nicolas, itself from the Greek Nikolaos, composed of 'nike' (victFrances#318 in the U.S.Feminine form of Francis, from the Latin Franciscus, meaning 'Frenchman' or 'free one', ultimatSabrina#321 in the U.S.Latinized form of the Celtic name of the River Severn in Britain. The precise Celtic meaning isLorelai#333 in the U.S.Variant spelling of Lorelei, from German, combining 'lore' (murmuring) and 'ley' (rock), referrHeidi#340 in the U.S.Swiss German diminutive of Adelheid (Adelaide), from the Old German 'adal' (noble) and 'heid' (Rebecca#350 in the U.S.From the Hebrew Rivkah, possibly from 'ribqah' (to bind or tie) or related to a root meaning 'cAriel#356 in the U.S.From Hebrew Ariel, composed of 'ari' (lion) and 'El' (God), meaning 'lion of God'. In the BibleMatilda#365 in the U.S.From Old German Mahthildis, composed of 'maht' (might, strength) and 'hild' (battle) — meaning Mallory#372 in the U.S.From the Old French 'malheure' or Norman 'malorie', meaning 'unlucky' or 'ill-omened' — an unusEsmeralda#373 in the U.S.From Spanish and Portuguese 'esmeralda', meaning emerald — the precious green gemstone, from thAnya#375 in the U.S.Russian and Eastern European diminutive of Anna, from Hebrew Hannah, meaning 'grace', 'favor', Vanessa#377 in the U.S.Invented by Jonathan Swift as a pet name for Esther Vanhomrigh, later adopted as a butterfly geLaura#379 in the U.S.From Latin laurus, the laurel tree, a symbol of victory, honor, and poetry in classical antiquiLaila#413 in the U.S.From Arabic layla meaning night; associated with the classic Arabic love poem Layla and Majnun;Dorothy#421 in the U.S.From Greek Dorothea, a reversal of Theodora: combining doron (gift) and theos (God), meaning giWilla#422 in the U.S.Feminine form of William, from Old High German Wilhelmus combining wil (will, determination) anLyra#435 in the U.S.From Greek lyra meaning lyre, the stringed instrument of Apollo and Orpheus; also the name of aLorelei#441 in the U.S.From the German place name Loreley, a Rhine cliff, derived from Old High German 'lureln' (murmuCalliope#451 in the U.S.From Greek 'kallos' (beauty) and 'ops' (voice, face), meaning 'beautiful voice'; name of the MuMadeleine#455 in the U.S.French form of Magdalene, from the place name Magdala on the Sea of Galilee, meaning 'tower' inHelen#462 in the U.S.From Greek 'Helene,' possibly derived from 'helios' (sun) or from the root 'hele' (torch, brighMeredith#469 in the U.S.From the Welsh name Maredudd or Meredydd, composed of 'mawr' (great) and 'udd' (lord, ruler), mFiona#470 in the U.S.From Scottish Gaelic 'fionn' meaning white or fair; coined or popularized as a given name by ScWinnie#475 in the U.S.Short form of Winifred, from the Welsh Gwenfrewi composed of 'gwen' (white, fair, blessed) and Edith#499 in the U.S.From Old English 'Eadgyth,' composed of 'ead' (rich, prosperity, fortune) and 'gyth' (battle, sBeatrice#508 in the U.S.From the Latin Beatrix, derived from beatus (blessed, happy) + the agentive suffix -trix, meaniEstella#509 in the U.S.From the Latin stella meaning 'star,' via the Provençal/Spanish form Estela or directly from thKate#522 in the U.S.Short form of Katherine, from the Greek Aikaterine; the meaning is uncertain but was popularly Marlowe#523 in the U.S.From the English surname Marlowe, derived from the Old English place-name Mǣrel-wōh or similar,Amaia#555 in the U.S.From Basque Amaia, derived from ama ('mother') and the suffix -ia or -aia, possibly meaning 'thMargo#559 in the U.S.French short form of Margot, itself from Marguerite, the French form of Margaret, from Latin MaDella#563 in the U.S.Short form of Adela or Adeline, from Old High German adal meaning 'noble' or 'nobility'; also uElliott#599 in the U.S.My God is Yahweh; English surname from the Hebrew name Eliyahu via medieval forms Eliott/EliotAnne#619 in the U.S.French form of Anna, from Hebrew Channah meaning 'grace,' 'favor,' or 'God has favored me'; theWinona#627 in the U.S.From the Dakota Sioux word winúŋna, meaning 'firstborn daughter.' In Dakota tradition, childrenCassandra#631 in the U.S.Possibly 'she who entangles men'; name of the Trojan prophetess cursed to speak true propheciesMiranda#656 in the U.S.From Latin mirandus, gerundive of mirari meaning to wonder at or to admire; literally meaning sMyra#663 in the U.S.Invented or popularized by the poet Fulke Greville in the 16th century, possibly as an anagram Ellis#682 in the U.S.Welsh form of Elijah / Eliseus; from Hebrew Eliyahu meaning 'my God is Yahweh'Coraline#683 in the U.S.A blend or elaboration combining Cora (from Greek kore meaning maiden or heart) with the -line Lara#693 in the U.S.Protection; from the Roman Lares (protective household gods), or as a Russian diminutive of LarLouisa#697 in the U.S.Renowned warrior; Latinate feminine form of Louis, from Old High German Hlutwig combining hlut Ramona#733 in the U.S.Spanish feminine form of Ramon, which derives from Raimund, from Old High German Raginmund, comMaisy#745 in the U.S.Scottish pet form of Margaret, from the Greek Margarites meaning 'pearl'; Maisy is an alternateCelia#774 in the U.S.Heaven or sky; a feminine form derived from the Roman family name Caelius, from the Latin caeluEvelina#778 in the U.S.Life or wished-for child; a Latinate elaboration of Eveline, blending Eva (from Hebrew Chavah mElouise#788 in the U.S.Famous warrior or renowned in battle; a variant spelling of Eloise, from Old High German HelewiBellamy#797 in the U.S.Good friend or beautiful companion; from Old French bel ami meaning beautiful friend or good frZelda#832 in the U.S.Short form of the Old High German Griselda, composed of gris (gray) and hild (battle), meaning Darcy#857 in the U.S.From the Norman-French surname d'Arcy, meaning 'from Arcy' (a place in Normandy); also used as Eleanora#865 in the U.S.An elaborated form of Eleanor, which derives from the Provencal Alienor, possibly meaning 'the Lyanna#877 in the U.S.Modern literary name, likely derived from Liana or Lianna (from Latin liana, a climbing vine) oAnais#892 in the U.S.Catalan and Occitan form of Anna, ultimately from Hebrew Hannah meaning grace or favor; the namGuinevere#899 in the U.S.From Welsh Gwenhwyfar, composed of gwen (white, fair, blessed) and hwyfar (smooth, soft, or phaBennett#912 in the U.S.Blessed; medieval English form of Benedict, from Latin Benedictus (blessed, from bene well + diRaina#916 in the U.S.From Slavic Rayna, a form of Regina meaning queen (Latin); also used as a variant of the natureZora#969 in the U.S.From Slavic zora meaning dawn or the glow of morning light, related to the root zor meaning ligCordelia#981 in the U.S.Possibly from Celtic or Latin roots meaning heart; also possibly from Welsh Creiddylad meaning Annika#995 in the U.S.Scandinavian and German diminutive of Anna, from Hebrew Hannah meaning grace, favor, or He has Scout#997 in the U.S.From Old French escouter meaning to listen, via a military term for a person sent ahead to gathCorinne#999 in the U.S.French form of Corinna, from Greek Korinna, a diminutive of Kore meaning maiden or girl; also aWaverly#1028 in the U.S.Quaking aspen meadow; from Old English wafre (quivering) + leah (clearing, meadow)Elliot#1035 in the U.S.My God is Yahweh; single-t spelling variant of Elliott, from the Hebrew name Elijah via medievaEllison#1067 in the U.S.Son of Elias; an English patronymic surname from the biblical name Elias (Elijah: my God is YahMarian#1103 in the U.S.Beloved; a blend of Mary (Hebrew Miriam: beloved, bitter, wished-for) and Ann (Hebrew Hannah: gTatiana#1106 in the U.S.Of the Tatius family; Latin Tatiana, feminine of Tatianus, from the Roman family name Tatius (pClarissa#1114 in the U.S.Bright, clear, famous; Latinate form of Clara or Clarice, from Latin clarus (clear, bright, famImogen#1117 in the U.S.Maiden; possibly from Celtic innogen (maiden, girl) or from Latin imago (image, likeness); the Kit#1127 in the U.S.Pure; English pet form of Katherine (Greek Aikaterine: pure) or Christopher (Greek: bearer of CMireya#1147 in the U.S.She who beholds God; Spanish form of Miriam or Mireia, from Hebrew marah (bitterness, strength)Marlow#1167 in the U.S.Drained lake, lake remnantsEllery#1208 in the U.S.Cheerful, joyful; possibly from elder tree or from HilaryKya#1237 in the U.S.Diamond in the sky; possibly from South African Zulu/Xhosa origin, or a creative variant of KaiRue#1324 in the U.S.The rue herb (Ruta graveolens); or sorrow, regret; from Old French rue and Latin ruta (the bittWendy#1347 in the U.S.Friend; invented or popularized by J. M. Barrie for Peter Pan; possibly a pet form of GwendolenBeatrix#1360 in the U.S.She who brings happiness, bringer of joyArwen#1384 in the U.S.Noble maiden, royal lady in Sindarin ElvishCattaleya#1479 in the U.S.The cattleya orchid, queen of orchidsRenesmee#1538 in the U.S.Invented compound of Renee (reborn) and Esme (esteemed, beloved)Mayzie#2045 in the U.S.pearl, via MargaretRosaline#2192 in the U.S.From Latin rosa (rose) combined with Germanic lind (gentle, soft, tender), or simply 'pretty roRegan#2295 in the U.S.little king, royally descendedNovella#2559 in the U.S.New; a short novel or tale; Italian feminine from Latin novellus, 'new, young'Baela#2755 in the U.S.Modern name popularized by Baela Targaryen of House of the Dragon; reads as a Bae-/Bela stylingStorie#2812 in the U.S.Variant of Story, the narrative word name — from Latin historia via Old French — with the -ie eJuliett#2913 in the U.S.Double-t spelling of Juliet — from Roman Julia, traditionally 'youthful' — also the NATO phonetLorna#2980 in the U.S.Invented by author R.D. Blackmore for his 1869 novel Lorna Doone, likely derived from Lorne, a Avonlea#3003 in the U.S.Invented by L. M. Montgomery for Anne of Green Gables' village; readable as avon, the Celtic 'rKhalessi#3011 in the U.S.Queen; a respelling of Khaleesi, the Dothraki royal title invented by George R. R. Martin and pEllora#3114 in the U.S.Variant of Elora, generally treated as a modern short form of Eleanora, whose root Eleanor may Giulietta#3144 in the U.S.Italian diminutive of Giulia (Julia) — from Roman Julius, traditionally 'youthful' — the ItaliaGwenivere#3145 in the U.S.Variant of Guinevere, from Welsh Gwenhwyfar — gwen, 'white, fair, blessed', plus a second elemeFable#3177 in the U.S.From the English word fable — Latin fabula, 'story, tale' — a modern word-nameAuri#3216 in the U.S.Golden; associated with Latin aurum, 'gold', and used as a short form of Aurora and AureliaUna#3245 in the U.S.From Latin una, meaning 'one' or 'unity'; also used as an Anglicization of the Irish name Úna, Ginny#3268 in the U.S.Diminutive of Virginia (from the Roman family name Verginius, meaning 'pure' or 'maiden') or GiGillian#3307 in the U.S.English feminine form of Julian, from Latin Julianus, derived from Julius, the Roman family namGriselda#3309 in the U.S.Gray battle; from Germanic gris, 'gray', and hild, 'battle' — the patient Griselda of BoccaccioKoraline#3324 in the U.S.K-spelling of Coraline — an elaboration of Coral (Latin corallium, the sea gem) — with literaryRenesmae#3337 in the U.S.Spelling of Renesmee — Stephenie Meyer's Twilight coinage blending Renée ('reborn') and Esme ('Arwyn#3399 in the U.S.From Welsh elements including arwyl/ar and gwyn, 'fair, white, blessed'; also echoing Tolkien'sAsya#3401 in the U.S.Sunrise or the east, from Turkish and Hebrew Asia; also a Russian diminutive of Anastasia meaniBeth#3405 in the U.S.Short form of Elizabeth (Hebrew Elisheba: 'El' = God + 'sheva' = oath/abundance), meaning 'my GMaida#3556 in the U.S.From Middle English 'maid/maiden' meaning 'young woman, girl, or virgin.' Also possibly from Ar
Literary Boy Names
Sawyer#122 in the U.S.One who saws wood; from Middle English saghiere (sawyer), occupational surname for a lumber worEllis#243 in the U.S.My God is the Lord; Jehovah is my GodEmerson#254 in the U.S.Son of Emery; descendant of the powerful rulerAtticus#281 in the U.S.From Attica; a man of Athens or AtticaTobias#283 in the U.S.God is good; Yahweh is goodHolden#297 in the U.S.Deep valley; hollow valleyDante#308 in the U.S.Enduring, steadfast; a short form of DuranteTristan#309 in the U.S.Tumult, noise; possibly 'sad' — from Celtic via medieval French romanceHugo#378 in the U.S.From the Germanic element hug meaning mind, intellect, or spiritConrad#417 in the U.S.From Old High German Konrad, combining kuoni meaning bold, brave or experienced and rat meaningLewis#433 in the U.S.English and Welsh form of Louis, from Old High German Hludwig meaning renowned warrior, combiniLucian#462 in the U.S.From Latin 'Lucianus,' a Roman family name derived from 'Lucius' and ultimately 'lux/lucis' meaEdgar#486 in the U.S.From Old English 'Eadgar,' composed of 'ead' (rich, fortune, prosperity) and 'gar' (spear), meaCaspian#491 in the U.S.From the Latin Caspius/Greek Kaspios, referring to the Caspian Sea region; possibly from the anDamon#501 in the U.S.From Greek Damon, related to the verb damao meaning 'to tame' or 'to subdue'; associated with tFinnegan#526 in the U.S.Anglicisation of Irish Ó Fionnagáin, meaning 'descendant of Fionnagán,' a diminutive of Fionn mDorian#539 in the U.S.From Latin Dorianus, derived from Greek Dorios meaning 'of the Dorians,' an ancient Greek peoplCassius#583 in the U.S.From the Roman family name Cassius, possibly derived from Latin cassus meaning 'hollow,' 'emptyAlden#598 in the U.S.From Old English Ealdwine or Aldwine, composed of eald/ald ('old') and wine ('friend'), meaningAbdiel#607 in the U.S.From Hebrew Avdi'el, composed of eved ('servant') and El ('God'), meaning 'servant of God' or 'Roland#608 in the U.S.From Old High German Hrodland, composed of hrod ('fame,' 'glory') and land ('land,' 'territory'Harlan#617 in the U.S.From an English and German place-name and surname, possibly from Old English hara ('hare') and Westley#619 in the U.S.Variant of Wesley, from a place-name and surname composed of Old English west ('west') and leahArturo#627 in the U.S.Spanish and Italian form of Arthur, from the Celtic roots possibly related to the Proto-Celtic Robin#705 in the U.S.Medieval diminutive of Robert, from Old French Robin, itself from Old High German Hrodebert meaBellamy#721 in the U.S.From the Old French bel ami (beautiful friend or fine friend), from bel (beautiful, fine) and aMarcel#731 in the U.S.French form of Marcellus, from the Latin Marcellus, a diminutive of Marcus, from the Roman god Huxley#736 in the U.S.English surname from an Old English place name, possibly from the personal name Hucc or Hugh + Chandler#753 in the U.S.Candle maker or seller; from Old French chandelier (candle merchant), from chandelle (candle)Ira#822 in the U.S.From the Hebrew ira, meaning 'watchful', 'awake', or 'full-grown'; a biblical name borne by oneAslan#860 in the U.S.From the Turkic aslan meaning 'lion'; a royal title and given name used across Central Asian TuOrlando#873 in the U.S.Italian form of Roland, from Old High German Hruodland, composed of hruod (fame, glory) and lanByron#981 in the U.S.From Old English byre meaning cowshed or barn, used as a place name and surname meaning dwellerLangston#1000 in the U.S.From Old English lang meaning long or tall and tun meaning settlement or farm, giving the meaniLev#1001 in the U.S.Heart; from Hebrew lev (heart); or lion, from Russian/Slavic lev (lion)Arden#1005 in the U.S.Eagle valley; from Celtic ard (high) + den (valley); or the Forest of Arden in Warwickshire, EnWatson#1011 in the U.S.Son of Walter; from the medieval English given name Wat (short form of Walter: ruler of the armBastian#1021 in the U.S.Venerable; revered; short form of Sebastian, from Greek Sebastianos (of Sebastos: venerable, reBlaise#1038 in the U.S.Lisping; stammering; from Latin Blasius (possibly from blaesus: stammering, lisping)Ernest#1040 in the U.S.Serious; resolute; from Germanic Ernst (earnest, serious, vigorous battle), from Old High GermaCedric#1051 in the U.S.Possibly invented by Sir Walter Scott for Ivanhoe (1819), inspired by the Celtic Cerdic (possibMarcellus#1054 in the U.S.Young warrior; of Mars; Latin diminutive of Marcellus, from Marcus (of the god Mars)Henrik#1060 in the U.S.Home ruler; from Germanic Heimirich (heim: home + ric: ruler, power), the Scandinavian form of Kingsley#1096 in the U.S.King's meadow; from Old English cyning (king) + leah (clearing, meadow)Kit#1103 in the U.S.Pure; follower of Christ; English pet form of Christopher (Greek Christophoros: bearer of ChrisBooker#1160 in the U.S.Bookbinder, one who works with booksUlysses#1201 in the U.S.Wrathful, to hate; the wandererPercy#1279 in the U.S.From the village of Percy in NormandySeamus#1280 in the U.S.He who supplants, grips the heelCormac#1298 in the U.S.Son of the chariot; charioteerBrett#1382 in the U.S.A Breton; from Britain; from Old French Bret (a Breton, a native of Brittany or Britain)Eliot#1403 in the U.S.My God is Yahweh; variant of ElijahDarien#1436 in the U.S.Gift; he who upholds the goodFinnick#1437 in the U.S.Fair, white, pure; literary nameMilton#1440 in the U.S.Mill settlement; village with a millKaladin#1489 in the U.S.Invented literary name with heroic associationsGranger#1636 in the U.S.Farmer, keeper of the granaryEdmond#2011 in the U.S.wealthy protectorWeller#2419 in the U.S.English occupational surname from Old English wella (well, spring) plus the agent suffix -er, mFitzgerald#2427 in the U.S.son of Gerald, spear-rulerDemian#2489 in the U.S.To tame; subdue; from Greek Damianos (from damao: to tame, to subdue), or a variant of Damian; Rye#2531 in the U.S.The rye grain; island; from Old English ryge (the cereal grain Secale cereale) — also a place nDerian#2577 in the U.S.Gift; present; from Persian derian (gift) or possibly a variant of Dorian (Greek: from Doris/DoBayron#2840 in the U.S.at the barns, brave soldierDrayden#2849 in the U.S.Dry valley; a variant of Dryden (Old English: dry valley, or the surname of poet John Dryden), Odysseus#2870 in the U.S.From ancient Greek, possibly related to odussomai ('to be wrathful against,' 'to hate') or odysQais#2922 in the U.S.Firm, steadfast (traditional gloss); an ancient Arabic name borne by the poet Qais, the Majnun Aleister#2943 in the U.S.Variant of Alistair, the Scottish Alasdair — Alexander, Greek for 'defender of mankind'Marquez#2965 in the U.S.From the Spanish surname Márquez, 'son of Marcos' — Marcus, linked to the war god Mars — adopteYadriel#2987 in the U.S.Modern Latino name blending Yadiel ('God knows') with the -riel of Gabriel; construction informRoran#3029 in the U.S.Little red one; possibly from Irish Gaelic Roran (a diminutive form related to ruadh: red) or aArlow#3133 in the U.S.Variant of Arlo, a name of debated origin — likely from Edmund Spenser's poetic place name ArloConnell#3140 in the U.S.From Irish Conall — traditionally 'strong as a wolf' (con, 'wolf/hound', plus a strength elemenCyril#3143 in the U.S.Lord; masterHal#3151 in the U.S.Medieval pet form of Henry ('home ruler') or Harold ('army ruler'); a crisp one-syllable nameBeren#3188 in the U.S.From Tolkien's hero Beren (a coined Sindarin name); also a Turkish name, 'strong, smart'; routeWalden#3233 in the U.S.Wooded valley; one who dwells near the forested valleyCarlisle#3256 in the U.S.From the city of Carlisle, from Brythonic Caer Luel — 'fort of Luguvalos', a name honoring the Lowell#3281 in the U.S.From the Norman surname Lovel — Old French lou, 'wolf', plus a diminutive — 'little wolf'Peregrine#3359 in the U.S.Traveler, pilgrim, foreigner; from Latin peregrinus — the name of saints, a hobbit, and the worQuill#3361 in the U.S.From Middle English quil ('hollow stalk,' 'quill feather'), possibly also a short form of the IReuel#3364 in the U.S.From Hebrew Re'u'el, 'friend of God' — a biblical name (and Tolkien's own middle name)Muad#3423 in the U.S.From Arabic mu'adh or mu'ādh, related to the root 'adha meaning 'to protect' or 'to keep safe,'Thane#3440 in the U.S.Warrior or military follower of a king; from Old English thegn meaning warrior or retainer, andWhitman#3508 in the U.S.From an English surname — Old English hwit, 'white, fair', plus man — 'white/fair man'Breece#3524 in the U.S.Surname variant in the Brice/Breese family — Brice being a Gaulish-Latin saint's name of debateKais#3554 in the U.S.From Arabic Qays, 'firm, measuring' — the poet-lover Qays of Layla-Majnun fame
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What are popular Literary baby names?
Popular Literary baby names include Emerson, Sawyer, Jane, Camille, Ellis, Emerson. Each page has the meaning, popularity, and an audio pronunciation.
How many Literary baby names are here?
More4Kids lists 436 Literary baby names, each with a sourced meaning and audio pronunciation.