Poetic Baby Names
- Sestina
Origin:
Form of poetryDescription:
The sestina is a type of poetry dating back to the medieval troubadours of Spain and France. As its name suggests, the sestina has six stanzas, each with six lines. Perfect for a sixth daughter or literary families. Sissy or Tina are obvious nicknames.
- Rondel
Origin:
English from FrenchMeaning:
"circle"Description:
The -el ending feels inevitably feminine; also a form of French poetry.
- Yeats
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"gates"Description:
Yeats, the strong name of the great Irish poet, would work better for a boy. Also has possible pronunciation problem with people who might think it rhymes with Keats. Yeats rhymes with the word from which it's derived: gates.
- Dickinson
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"son of Dick"Description:
Dickinson is a possibility for Richard's boy, though that Dick nickname is problematic no matter how you get to it.
- Polyhymnia
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"one of many praises"Description:
Polyhymnia was one of the nine Muses of Greek mythology, associated with hymns, poetry, and dance. It's a whole lotta name for one girl, but now that Persephone and Calliope are on the table, Polyhymnia feels like much more of a possibility.
- Epik
Origin:
Variation of Epic; English word nameMeaning:
"heroic tale or event"Description:
Epik is a new word name used by Princess Love and Ray J for their baby boy. Fifteen baby boys were named Epic, the usual spelling of the word, last year, so maybe Epik is to Epic as Erik is to Eric. While Epic in the classic sense refers to a long narrative poem, today it's more likely a slang word used in place of grand or amazing.
- Ottava
Origin:
Word name from the LatinMeaning:
"eight"Description:
In literature, the Ottava rima is a form of poetry. Alternatively, Ottava could be used as a variation of Octavia.
- Majnun
Origin:
ArabicMeaning:
"mad, possessed"Description:
The old Arabic tale of Layla and Majnun has been called "the Romeo and Juliet of the East". The seventh-century poet Qays ibn al-Mullawah was nicknamed Majnun, "madman", because of his obsessive pursuit of his childhood love, Layla. This is as problematic now as it was then, but a positive spin on the name could have it signifying fervor and devotion.
- Arna
Origin:
Diminutive of Arnaud, FrenchMeaning:
"ruler; strong as an eagle"Description:
The male usage of Arna comes from Arnaud, the French translation of Arnold. Arnaud and Arna were historically used in Creole-speaking Louisiana. Harlem Renaissance poet Arna Bontemps was born in Alexandria, Louisiana in 1902.
- Tahirih
Origin:
PersianMeaning:
"the pure one"Description:
The name of a venerated 19th century poet and martyr in the Bábí and Bahá'í faiths. She was an early proponent of women's rights, famously removing her veil among a crowd of men at the Conference of Badasht in 1848. For this she was placed under house arrest, and executed four years later on account of her beliefs.
- Cynri
Origin:
WelshDescription:
A name from ancient Welsh literature: in the poem The Gododdin, the three leaders of the ill-fated army were Cynon, Cynri and Cynrain. To that end, the name might have been invented for poetic effect, although there are several Welsh names ending in -ri, meaning "king". Alternatively, it may be a form of the Anglo-Saxon name Cyneric.
- Kyrielle
Origin:
English literary term from Greek KyrieDescription:
In literature, a Kyrielle is a form of poetry that has rhyming couplets or quatrains. It originated with the French troubadour tradition. It is called a Kyrielle after the Christian Kyrie. In 2016, 16 girls in the US were given this name.
- Audre
- Keats
Origin:
English literary nameMeaning:
"kite"Description:
Keats is both poetic and easier to pronounce (it's keets) than Yeats (which is yates).
- Spenser
- Verse
Origin:
English word nameMeaning:
"verse"Description:
Writing-related names are starting to become more popular, with names like Poet, Story, and Lyric having been used by many a celebrity. Now it's Verse's turn, as it was recently used by Teen Mom's Kailyn Lowry for her son.
- Jarrell
Origin:
German variation of GeraldDescription:
Briefly faddish a few decades ago when Darrell was cool. But does have a creative connection to poet Randall Jarrell.
- Rhymer
Origin:
English word nameDescription:
Creative alternative to names like Riley, Ryder, and Ryker, of which you'll find many in a Kindergarten classroom.As a poetry-related baby name, Rhymer feels more unexpected than Sonnet or Poet.
- Jarrell
Origin:
English and French surname derived from a place-name, GervilleDescription:
Randall Jarrell was an important mid-20th century poet; his surname makes a pleasingly soft name for a girl.
- Imtiaz
Origin:
Arabic and UrduMeaning:
"distinction"Description:
An unusual Arabic name, borne by the British poet and author Imtiaz Dharker.