Names Created by Authors

A name created by author Tamora Pierce for a character in her Protector of the Small series, a quartet of young adult fantasy novels. In the novels, Keladry is the first girl in centuries to seek a knighthood and the novels follow her journey towards this goal.

A unisex name of Welsh origin, Eilir has the mystical and intriguing feel of Eowyn and Emrys, but also the familiarity of Elinor and Eli. It was coined by the 18th century Welsh poet, antiquarian and literary forger, Iolo Morganwg, from the elements ail meaning "second" and ir meaning "fresh, verdant".

A character from Gregory Maguire's novel Wicked and the subsequent musical. It possible comes from the word avarice meaning "extreme desire for material wearth", but other possibilities could be that it comes from the Manx name Averick, meaning "dappled" or from Avery meaning "ruler of the elves"

The name of a Munchkin in L Frank Baum's The Wizard of Oz, who plays a much larder role in the spin off Wicked novels and musical. The meaning of the name is unknown, but it could come from Bock, a type of German beer, from Baroque, a grand, detailed and sublime style of art and architecture, or as a spin of the word 'bog'.

This literary creation was used by Anne Rice in her popular book series the Vampire Chronicles. It is borne by the anti-hero and central character, Lestat de Lioncourt, an immortal vampire from the 18th century. It is theorized that the name could come from the Old French l'estat meaning "status" or "state", however, Anne Rice herself has suggested she named him after her husband Stan

Jonathon Swift is better known as the inventor of the popular Vanessa, however, he also invented Cadenus for the same poem, simply titled Cadenus and Vanessa. Cadenus is an anagram of the Latin decanus meaning "dean", as in, the dean of a cathedral. At the time of writing, Swift was the dean of St Patrick's Cathedral in Dublin, known in his community as Dean Swift. Vanessa meanwhile is a play on his lover's name, Esther Vanhomrigh, so both Cadenus and Vanessa are pseudonyms that Swift used in order to write a secret love poem.

Used in the novel and subsequent Disney movie Zenon: Girl of the 21st Century , Zenon is typically a masculine name of Greek and Polish origin, however, in the book and film, it was used for a girl who lives on a space station and is sent to earth as a punishment.

Used in the Harry Potter franchise for the Metamorphmagus character, Nymphadora Tonks, this name is derived from Ancient Greek. Made up of doron meaning "gift" and 'númphē meaning "nymph" or "bride, young wife, girl", it is associated with a character who despises her name and refuses to go by it. A bold choice, though it does have the familiar nicknames Dora and Nora.

A literary name, Musidora first appeared in its masculine form, Musidorus, in a poem by 16th poet Phillip Sidney. Meaning "gift of the Muses", it could relate to the Muses of mythology who presided over the arts, to a person or other personified force that inspires an artist, or to music and songs.

A multicultural nickname with a number of origins and multiple meanings, particular to the bearer. It can be a short form of Bozhidar, or any other name with the Slavic element "božĭjĭ", meaning "divine". It can come from the surname style Bosley, or the Biblical name Boaz. Ambrose and Boris could be alternative long forms.

The name of a main character in Leigh Bardugo's successful Six of Crows novels, Wylan fits right in with on-trend names like Wayland, Waylon and Ryland.

The titular character of a tragic poem by Edgar Allen Poe set in a lonesome October. Ulalume may be representative of death itself, making the name feel gothic and otherwordly. The etymology is uncertain, but Poe may have derived it from the Latin ululare meaning wailing or lumen a light symbolizing sorrow.

Sweet but strong, Tuula is a variation of the Finnish name and word, Tuuli. Sometimes considered as a literary invention, created by the poet Larin-Kyösti for the song Tuulan tei, it is borne by fashion and lifestyle influencer Tuula Rose Capewell and by ice hockey player Tuula Puputti.

Used by Gregory Maguire in his novel Wicked, Shenshen also appears in the Broadway musical adaptation of the book. Her name could be based on Sinead or Shenade, variations of John, or perhaps the phrase "chin-chin", used as a toast or an informal greeting.

A literary creation, used by John Steinbeck in his novel, The Grapes of Wrath. It is a contracted form of "Rose of Sharon", which could make an interesting middle name to honor a Sharon or an unusual way to nicknames Rose or Rosie.

A minor (female) character in the Wicked book and musical, who is gender swapped for the 2024 movie.

A smoosh name used by Gregory Maguire in his book Wicked and the subsequent musical. It blends Rose with Nessa, which can be a short form of Vanessa (or other -nessa names), an anglicized variation of Irish Neasa, or a Hebrew name meaning "miracle".

This name was invented by J.R.R. Tolkien for his Lord of the Rings series, where Elros is a half-elf half-human king. One of the more obscure LOTR names with a princely feel and soft, handsome sound, Elros would be an attractive choice for those looking for a more subtle nod to their favourite franchise.

Used as the title for a 1956 novel, by Algerian writer, Kateb Yacine, Nedjma could be a literary creation, inspired by the Egyptian name Nedjemmut, meaning "Mut is sweet", in which case, it might just mean "sweet".

A literary name, Musidora first appeared in its masculine form, Musidorus, in a poem by 16th poet Phillip Sidney. Meaning "gift of the Muses", it could relate to the Muses of mythology who presided over the arts, to a person or other personified force that inspires an artist, or to music and songs.