30 Baby Names from Books
By Anne Momber, Brit+Co
Choosing baby names can be tough. You have to decide if you want something traditional or original, august appellations or cute baby names, family-inspired or creative baby names – and then you probably have to get at least one other human on board with your decision. Yes, there are apps for this whole process (and we definitely recommend you check them out if you’re in a bind), but sometimes it’s best to start with something you know and love — like a favorite book. Here are 30 literary baby names inspired by our favorite fiction (and book-based movies) to help you get those baby name creative juices flowing.
Noah: Let’s start with a truly memorable option – because who doesn’t love the name Noah after having their young heart broken by The Notebook?
Jo (Little Women): Technically, Josephine, but we’re not sure the strong-willed Jo March would be that into us using her full name. It would be a cute and playful name for a little girl.
Winfield (The Grapes of Wrath): A certifiably old-school name for a boy, this one comes straight from the heart of American lit. We’re also almost positive we’ve never met a Winfield, which means it’s likely your baby won’t have to deal with name competition or alternate spelling confusion.
Gale or Katniss: While Peeta might be pretty obviously Hunger Games inspired, Gale is actually a super sweet name for a boy. If you don’t want to hide your love for the trilogy, go ahead and opt for Katniss, which is expected to be at the top of the baby name charts this year.
Savannah (Dear John): This wasn’t the first (and it won’t be the last) Nicholas Sparks-inspired name to make the list. What can we say? The man has great taste in names. Savannah’s an extra pretty one with a sweet, Southern heritage.
Brett: (The Sun Also Rises) Rather, Lady Brett Ashley. This smart, slightly hypnotizing character may be the best (and worst) part of Hemingway’s tale. And we adore her roguishly gender neutral name.
Stuart (Stuart Little): Oh, Stuart. This little adventurer may very well have just the energy and enthusiasm you want to channel for your own little one.
Elinor (Sense and Sensibility): The “sense” in Austen’s classic, Elinor has a reputation for practicality – but that makes her feelings run no less deep, and her name no less enviable.
Bella: We had to. Well, actually, you had to. The Twilight franchise catapulted Bella and Jacob to the top of the most popular baby names list back in 2011 and it’s still going strong.
Holden: Did anyone here not read The Catcher in the Rye in high school? If you didn’t, or haven’t yet, you should add it to your list. Along with the protagonist’s name, of course.
Hester or Pearl (The Scarlet Letter): Here are a couple of old school names with a whole lotta power. The book’s main character, Hester, defied norms and conventions in an oppressive, conservative time, for the sake of her illegitimate daughter, Pearl. These are two great choices with an empowering backstory.
Scout or Atticus (To Kill a Mockingbird): Known for being smart, steady and an advocate of truth, kindness and justice, Atticus represents morality and reason. The book’s spunky main character Scout has a unique name that manages to be classic and modern all at once. Considering the fact that Harper Lee is now meant to be releasing a sequel to the novel, you can definitely expect these names to continue their rise from the literary ashes.
Alice (Alice in Wonderland): A little bit adventurous and a little bit quirky, this character is seriously endearing. Her name is pretty wonderful too (and also shares a fictional link with a certain visionary vampire).
Daisy (The Great Gatsby): First of all, wouldn’t this be a sweet name for a little girl? And, second, Daisy Buchanan is living (fictional) proof that it ages with just as much charm.
Landon (A Walk to Remember): The last Sparks name in the list, Landon might actually be our favorite of the bunch.
Elizabeth (Pride and Prejudice): Elizabeth, or Lizzie, as her father tends to call her, is smart, determined and not afraid to speak her mind. We’ll forgive her pride (…or was it prejudice?) if we can add her name to our list.
Amory (This Side of Paradise): F. Scott Fitzgerald has some pretty great characters and some pretty great character names. Daisy Buchanan, Jay Gatsby… Amory is one more to add to the list because it’s another unique boy’s name with a traditional feel.
Anne (Anne of Green Gables): Simple, sweet and best spelled with an “e,” it’s hard to go wrong with a name so completely classic.
Hazel or Augustus: Take a little bit of inspiration from John Green’s best-selling novel, The Fault in Our Stars, and name your little one after these two strong and inspiring characters.
Charlotte: The heroine of the classic children’s book, Charlotte’s Web, this name is definitely literary inspired, but not obviously so.
Winnie: The innocent and lovable main character from Tuck Everlasting offers up a playful yet elegant name that’s all kind of charming.
Nelly: Even if you’re a huge Wuthering Heights fan, Heathcliff might be a little intense for 2015. However, the narrator’s name, Nelly, offers up an option that’s both meaningful and current.
Finn or Sawyer: So technically these are the last names of MarkTwain’s most famous characters, but they’re too darn cute to leave out. Name your babe after these rambunctious characters and hope he (or she) grows up with a similar sense of adventure.
Lisbeth (The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo): She’s definitely dark, but boy is she smart. If you’re a mystery -lover, put an interesting spin on the classic name “Elizabeth” by dropping a couple vowels.
Ramona: (shown) Because, c’mon who doesn’t love good old Ramona Quimby?!
What do you think? Are any of these classic, fiction-inspired baby names going to make your list? Let us know in the comments below!
Anne Momber is a serial optimist and hopeless romantic who lives in a big red barn with her husband and a lot of books. She loves writing essays, tackling a good DIY and is always on the lookout for a great slouchy tee.