Literary Names

  1. Quasimodo
    • Origin:

      Latin, literary name
    • Meaning:

      "like just-born infants do"
    • Description:

      The name of the protagonist of The Hunchback of Notre Dame does not translate well into real life. Quasimodo comes from the Latin phrase used in Christian texts, "Quasi modo geniti infantes", meaning "like just-born infants do".
  2. Pleasant
    • Origin:

      Word name
    • Description:

      An admirable quality to impart; Pleasant was used by Charles Dickens in Our Mutual Friend and in modern times is known via American Girl dolls creator Pleasant Rowland.
  3. Dabney
    • Origin:

      English surname
    • Meaning:

      "from Aubigny"
    • Description:

      A unisex surname familiarized by male actor Dabney Coleman, but with potential to carry over to the girl's side as well. Dabney feels in line with the Irish Darcy and Darby.
  4. Iracema
    • Origin:

      Tupi
    • Meaning:

      "honey lips"
    • Description:

      Popular in Brazil in the early half of the 20th century, Iracema derives from the Indigenous Tupi–Guarani language, and likely gained attention due to its use in the classic 1865 novel by José de Alencar. Iracema is the titular character of the novel that explores the relationship between an indigenous woman and a Portuguese colonist.
  5. Tamlin
    • Origin:

      Literary diminutive of Tam, Scottish
    • Meaning:

      "twin; son of Thomas"
    • Description:

      A gentle name with a playful and spirited air, Tamlin appears in a traditional Anglo-Scottish ballad that tells the story of Tamlin who is abducted by the Queen of Faeries and later rescued by his true love. It plays on the folktale motif of winning a lover by holding them through various trials and transformations.
  6. Lenina
    • Origin:

      Literature, feminine form of Lenin
    • Meaning:

      "large river; shining torch; like a lion"
    • Description:

      Created by the author Aldous Huxley for his novel, Brave New World, Lenina is a feminine form of Lenin, the surname of the founder of the Soviet state. It is borne by the central female character in the novel, Lenina Crowne, but in the real world, it is also been used occasionally in South America, notably in Brazil.
  7. Okonkwo
    • Origin:

      Igbo
    • Meaning:

      "born on Nkwo day"
    • Description:

      Given to boys born on the last of the four Igbo market days (NkwoThings Fall Apart, in which Okonkwo is a famous wrestling champion and feared warrior, who opposes the Christian missionaries and colonialists when they come to his village.
  8. Ikemefuna
    • Origin:

      Igbo
    • Meaning:

      "may my strength not be in vain, let my strength not be wasted"
    • Description:

      Predominantly used in Nigeria, Ikemefuna is a name of Igbo origin, with a hopeful and determined meaning. It appears in Chinua Achebe's classic novel, Things Fall Apart, borne by an ill-fated boy who is given by his clan as a sacrifice.
  9. Etelka
    • Origin:

      Hungarian
    • Meaning:

      "little father"
    • Description:

      This Hungarian name was created by the author András Dugonics for the central character of his 1788 novel of the same name. It is likely an elaboration on Etele, a Hungarian feminine form of Atilla. Etelka could work well across languages and boasts the cute nickname Etta.
  10. Moacir
    • Origin:

      Brazilian, Tupi
    • Meaning:

      "son of pain"
    • Description:

      Popular in Brazil, Moacir derives from the Indigenous Tupi–Guarani language, and likely gained attention due to its use in the classic 1865 novel, Iracema by José de Alencar. The novel tells the story of a relationship between an indigenous woman and a Portuguese colonist and has been adapted several times into film, notably in 1917 and 1949 which led to an increase in its use in Brazil.