📚
Literary Names
Names lifted from beloved books and the people who wrote them. Literary names come with a built-in story — a character to grow into, an author to discover, a reason the name was chosen worth telling at every birthday.
322 names
Adeline
Old French / German
Noble kind
GirlHistoricalLiterary
Aisling
Irish Gaelic
Dream, vision
GirlLiteraryMythological
Akshara
Sanskrit
Letter of the alphabet, imperishable
GirlLiteraryVirtue
Aldous
Old English
Old, wise
BoyLiteraryHistorical
Algernon
Norman French / English
With moustaches
BoyLiteraryHistorical
Alice
Old French / German
Noble kind
GirlLiteraryHistorical
Alicia
Germanic / Spanish
Noble
GirlLiteraryVirtue
Alistair
Scottish Gaelic
Defender of mankind
BoyLiterary
Allegra
Italian / Latin
Joyful
GirlVirtueLiterary
Ambrose
Greek / Latin
Immortal
BoyLiteraryHistorical
Amelie
French
Industrious
GirlLiteraryVirtue
Anna
Hebrew
Grace
GirlBiblicalVirtue
Annabel
Scottish / English
Loving
GirlLiterary
Annalise
Germanic / French / American
Grace
GirlLiteraryVirtue
Annette
French / English
Little Anne
GirlLiterary
Annick
Breton / French
Grace
GirlLiterary
Annie
English / Hebrew
Grace
GirlLiteraryVirtue
Anoush
Persian
Sweet, eternal
GirlVirtueLiterary
Ansel
Old German
Helmet of God
BoyLiteraryHistorical
Anthony
Latin / Roman
Priceless
BoyHistoricalLiterary
Arabella
Latin / English
Yielding to prayer
GirlVirtueLiterary
Arash
Persian
Bright, shining
BoyMythologicalLiterary
Archibald
Germanic / English
Bold, genuine
BoyHistoricalLiterary
Arjun
Sanskrit
White, clear
BoyMythologicalLiterary
Arthur
Celtic / Latin
Bear
BoyLiteraryMythological
Arturo
Celtic / Spanish
Bear
BoyLiteraryMythological
Atticus
Latin / Greek
Of Attica
BoyLiteraryHistorical
Auberon
Germanic / English
Noble bear
BoyLiteraryMythological
Audrey
Old English
Noble strength
GirlHistoricalLiterary
Barnaby
Greek / English
Son of consolation
BoyLiterary
Beatrice
Latin / Italian
She who brings happiness
GirlVirtueLiterary
Beatrix
Latin / English
Voyager, bringer of joy
GirlLiteraryHistorical
Beatriz
Latin / Spanish
She who brings happiness
GirlLiteraryVirtue
Beckett
Old English
Bee cottage
BoyLiteraryHistorical
Bella
Italian / Latin
Beautiful
GirlVirtueLiterary
Belle
French / English
Beautiful
GirlLiteraryVirtue
Bennett
Latin / French
Blessed
BoyHistoricalLiterary
Bertie
English (diminutive of Albert/Bertram)
Bright and noble
BoyLiterary
Bianca
Latin / Italian / Spanish
White, pure
GirlLiteraryVirtue
Bram
Dutch / Hebrew
Father of multitudes
BoyLiteraryBiblical
Brendan
Irish Gaelic
Prince
BoyHistoricalLiterary
Britta
Swedish / American
Exalted, strong
GirlLiterary
Calliope
Greek
Beautiful voice
GirlMythologicalLiterary
Calvin
Latin / American
Little bald one
BoyLiteraryHistorical
Camilla
Latin / English
Attendant at a temple ceremony
GirlLiteraryHistorical
Camille
French / English
Attendant at a ceremony
GirlBotanicalLiterary
Carmen
Spanish / Latin
Song, garden
GirlLiteraryHistorical
Caspian
Latin / English
Of the Caspian Sea
BoySeaLiterary
Cassandra
Greek
Shining over men
GirlMythologicalLiterary
Cassian
Latin / Roman
From the Cassius family
BoyHistoricalLiterary
Cassie
Greek / English (from Cassandra)
Shining upon men
GirlMythologicalLiterary
Cassius
Latin / Roman
Empty, hollow
BoyHistoricalLiterary
Cecil
Latin / English
Of the Caecilii
BoyHistoricalLiterary
Cedric
Old English
Bounty
BoyLiteraryHistorical
Charity
Latin / English / American
Love, generosity
GirlVirtueLiterary
Charles
Old German / French
Free man
BoyHistoricalLiterary
Charlotte
Old French / German
Free woman
GirlHistoricalLiterary
Clara
Latin
Clear, bright
GirlHistoricalLiterary
Conrad
Old German
Bold counsel
BoyLiteraryHistorical
Cora
Greek
Maiden
GirlMythologicalLiterary
Coraline
Latin / English
Coral
GirlLiterarySea
Cordelia
Celtic / Latin
Daughter of the sea
GirlLiteraryHistorical
Crispin
Latin / English
Curly-haired
BoyLiteraryHistorical
Cyril
Greek / English
Lordly
BoyHistoricalLiterary
Daiyu
Mandarin Chinese
Black jade
GirlLiterary
Damon
Greek / American
To tame, to subdue
BoyLiteraryMythological
Dante
Italian / Latin
Enduring
BoyLiteraryHistorical
Darcie
French / Irish
From Arcy
GirlLiterary
Daria
Persian / American
Possessing goodness
GirlLiterary
Decca
English / American
From Decima, tenth
GirlLiteraryHistorical
Delilah
Hebrew
Delicate, languishing
GirlBiblicalLiterary
Della
Germanic / English
Noble
GirlLiterary
Delphine
Greek / French
Of Delphi, dolphin-like
GirlLiterarySea
Dexter
Latin / English
Right-handed, skilful
BoyLiterary
Dmitri
Slavic / Greek
Devoted to Demeter
BoyLiteraryHistorical
Dolores
Spanish / American
Sorrows
GirlVirtueLiterary
Dorian
Greek / English
From Doris
BoyLiterary
Dorothea
Greek / English
Gift of God
GirlLiteraryVirtue
Dorothy
Greek
Gift of God
GirlLiteraryVirtue
Duncan
Scottish Gaelic
Dark warrior
BoyLiteraryHistorical
Dylan
Welsh / Celtic
Son of the sea
BoyLiteraryMythological
Echo
Greek / English
Reflected sound
UnisexMythologicalSea
Edna
Hebrew / English
Pleasure, delight
GirlLiterary
Effie
Greek / Scottish / English (from Euphemia)
Well-spoken
GirlLiterary
Eleanor
Old French / Greek
Bright, shining one
GirlHistoricalLiterary
Eliza
Hebrew / English
My God is abundance
GirlBiblicalLiterary
Elliot
English / Scottish
The Lord is my God
UnisexLiterary
Elodie
French / Germanic
Foreign riches
GirlLiterary
Eloise
Old French / German
Healthy, wide
GirlLiteraryHistorical
Elspeth
Scots / English
God is my oath
GirlHistoricalLiterary
Emilia
Latin / Italian
Rival, industrious
GirlHistoricalLiterary
Emily
Latin / Germanic
Rival, industrious
GirlLiteraryHistorical
Emma
Germanic
Whole, universal
GirlLiteraryHistorical
Ernest
Germanic / English
Serious, earnest
BoyLiteraryVirtue
Esme
Old French
Loved, esteemed
GirlLiteraryHistorical
Esmeralda
Spanish
Emerald
GirlLiteraryBotanical
Estella
Latin / English
Star
GirlCelestialLiterary
Etta
Germanic / English
Estate ruler
GirlLiteraryHistorical
Eulalia
Greek
Sweetly speaking
GirlLiteraryVirtue
Eustace
Greek / English
Fruitful, abundant
BoyLiteraryHistorical
Evangeline
Greek / French
Bringer of good news
GirlBiblicalLiterary
Evelyn
English / Celtic
Wished-for child
GirlLiteraryHistorical
Everett
Old English / German
Brave as a wild boar
BoyHistoricalLiterary
Ezra
Hebrew / Biblical
Helper
UnisexBiblicalLiterary
Fabian
Latin / Spanish
Bean farmer
BoyHistoricalLiterary
Faye
Old French
Fairy
GirlLiteraryMythological
Florence
Latin / English
Flowering, flourishing
GirlBotanicalHistorical
Forrest
Old French / English
Of the woods
BoyLiterary
Frances
Latin
Free one
GirlVirtueLiterary
Francesca
Italian
Free one
GirlLiteraryHistorical
Frankie
English
Free one
GirlLiterary
Gareth
Welsh
Gentle
BoyLiteraryMythological
Gaston
Old French
Of Vasconia
BoyHistoricalLiterary
Geoffrey
Old French / English
Peace of God
BoyLiteraryHistorical
Gerald
Germanic / English
Ruler with a spear
BoyHistoricalLiterary
Gilbert
Old German / English
Bright pledge
BoyLiteraryHistorical
Greta
German / Greek
Pearl
GirlLiteraryHistorical
Gretchen
German / American
Little pearl
GirlLiterary
Griffin
Welsh
Strong lord, fierce
UnisexMythologicalLiterary
Gulliver
Irish / English
Glutton
BoyLiterary
Gwendolyn
Welsh / English
White ring, blessed
GirlLiteraryMythological
Hamilton
Scottish / American
Crooked hill
UnisexHistoricalLiterary
Harlan
Old English / American
Rocky land
BoyLiterary
Harlow
English
Army hill
GirlLiterary
Harold
Old English
Army ruler
BoyHistoricalLiterary
Harper
Old English
Harp player
GirlLiterary
Harriet
French / English
Home ruler
GirlHistoricalLiterary
Harry
Germanic / English
Home-ruler
BoyLiteraryHistorical
Haruki
Japanese
Spring radiance
BoyLiteraryNature
Harvey
Breton / English
Battle-worthy
BoyLiterary
Hector
Greek / Spanish
Holding fast
BoyMythologicalHistorical
Heidi
Germanic / English (from Adelheid)
Noble
GirlLiteraryHistorical
Henry
Old German / French
Ruler of the home
BoyHistoricalLiterary
Herbert
Old German / English
Bright army
BoyHistoricalLiterary
Hermione
Greek / English
Messenger
GirlLiteraryMythological
Hester
Hebrew / English
Star
GirlLiteraryHistorical
Hibiki
Japanese
Sound, echo
UnisexLiteraryNature
Holden
Old English
Hollow valley
BoyLiterary
Horace
Latin / English
Of the hour
BoyLiteraryHistorical
Howard
Old Germanic
High guardian
BoyHistoricalLiterary
Hugo
Germanic / French
Heart, mind, spirit
BoyLiteraryHistorical
Humphrey
Germanic / English
Peaceful warrior
BoyLiteraryHistorical
Imogen
Celtic / Shakespearean
Maiden
GirlLiterary
India
English
From the Indus
GirlLiterary
Inigo
Spanish / English
Fiery
BoyLiterary
Iolanthe
Greek
Violet flower
GirlLiteraryMythological
Isaiah
Hebrew / Biblical
Salvation of the Lord
BoyBiblicalLiterary
Isolde
Celtic / Germanic
Ice ruler
GirlLiteraryMythological
Jameson
Scottish-American
Son of James
BoyLiterary
Jefferson
Old English / American
Son of Jeffrey
BoyHistoricalLiterary
Jemima
Hebrew / Biblical / English
Dove
GirlBiblicalLiterary
Jeremiah
Hebrew / Biblical
God will lift up
BoyBiblicalLiterary
Jessica
Hebrew / English
God beholds
GirlBiblicalLiterary
Joelle
Hebrew / French / American
The Lord is God
GirlLiteraryBiblical
Josephine
Hebrew / French
God will add
GirlHistoricalLiterary
Joyce
Old French / English
Lord, rejoicing
UnisexLiteraryVirtue
Jude
Hebrew / English
Praise
BoyBiblicalLiterary
Junie
Latin / American
Born in June
GirlLiterary
Kabir
Arabic / Sanskrit
Great, vast
BoyLiteraryHistorical
Kalpana
Sanskrit
Imagination
GirlLiteraryVirtue
Kavita
Sanskrit / Hindi
Poem
GirlLiterary
Kavya
Sanskrit
Poetry
GirlLiterary
Kendrick
Old English / African American
Royal power
BoyHistoricalLiterary
Kester
Scottish / Greek
Bearer of Christ
BoyLiteraryHistorical
Khalil
Arabic / African American
Beloved friend
BoyVirtueLiterary
Kit
English
Diminutive of Christopher
UnisexLiterary
Lalita
Sanskrit
Playful, charming
GirlMythologicalLiterary
Langston
Old English / African American
From the tall man's town
BoyLiteraryHistorical
Lara
Russian / Latin
Citadel
GirlLiteraryHistorical
Lavinia
Latin / English
Woman of Rome
GirlLiteraryHistorical
Lawrence
Latin / English
From Laurentum, crowned with laurel
BoyHistoricalLiterary
Layla
Arabic / Hebrew
Night
GirlLiteraryHistorical
Lenny
English (from Leonard)
Lion strength
BoyLiterary
Lenore
Greek / English / American
Bright one
GirlLiterary
Leonardo
Italian / Germanic
Brave lion
BoyHistoricalLiterary
Lewis
French / English
Famous in battle
BoyLiteraryHistorical
Liesel
German / American
Pledged to God
GirlLiteraryVirtue
Lillibet
English
Pledged to God
GirlLiteraryVirtue
Linus
Greek / English
Flax-haired
BoyLiteraryHistorical
Lionel
Old French / English
Young lion
BoyHistoricalLiterary
Lola
Spanish
Sorrows
GirlLiterary
Lucette
French / Latin
Little light
GirlCelestialVirtue
Lucille
French / Latin
Light
GirlLiterary
Lucinda
Latin
Light
GirlLiterary
Lucy
Latin
Light
GirlHistoricalLiterary
Luke
Greek / Latin
Light
BoyBiblicalLiterary
Lyra
Greek
Lyre
UnisexCelestialMythological
Lysander
Greek
Liberator of men
BoyLiteraryMythological
Madeleine
French / English
Of Magdala
GirlLiteraryVirtue
Madeline
Hebrew / Old French
From Magdalene
GirlLiteraryBiblical
Malcolm
Scottish Gaelic
Devotee of St Columba
BoyHistoricalLiterary
Margot
French
Pearl
GirlLiteraryVirtue
Marlena
Germanic / Latin / American
Star of the sea
GirlLiteraryHistorical
Marley
Old English
From the marsh meadow
UnisexHistoricalLiterary
Marlowe
Old English
Marsh meadow
UnisexLiterary
Marnie
Hebrew / Scottish
Sea of bitterness
GirlLiterary
Matilda
German / English
Mighty in battle
GirlLiteraryHistorical
Maud
Germanic / English
Mighty in battle
GirlHistoricalLiterary
Mavis
Old French / English
Song thrush
GirlBotanicalLiterary
Maxim
Latin / Russian
The greatest
BoyLiteraryHistorical
Maya
Sanskrit / Greek / Hebrew
Illusion (Sanskrit)
GirlMythologicalLiterary
Meera
Sanskrit / Hindi
Devotee
GirlLiteraryMythological
Miles
Latin / Germanic
Soldier, merciful
BoyHistoricalLiterary
Miro
Slavic
Peace, world
BoyLiterary
Molly
Irish
Bitter / sea of bitterness
GirlVirtueLiterary
Monty
French / English (from Montgomery)
Of the mountain
BoyLiterary
Mordecai
Hebrew / Biblical
Warrior
BoyBiblicalLiterary
Mulan
Mandarin Chinese
Magnolia
GirlLiteraryBotanical
Myles
Latin / Irish
Soldier, servant
BoyHistoricalLiterary
Nancy
Hebrew / English
Grace
GirlLiteraryVirtue
Nasrin
Persian
Wild rose
GirlBotanicalLiterary
Nathaniel
Hebrew / Biblical
Gift of God
BoyBiblicalLiterary
Nell
English
Bright one
GirlLiteraryHistorical
Nellie
English
Bright, shining
GirlLiteraryVirtue
Nigella
Latin
Black
GirlBotanicalLiterary
Nima
Persian
Just, fair
UnisexVirtueLiterary
Nora
Irish / Greek
Honour
GirlLiterary
Oberon
Old French / Germanic
Noble bear
BoyLiteraryMythological
Octavian
Latin / Roman
Eighth
BoyHistoricalLiterary
Odette
French / German
Wealth
GirlLiteraryMythological
Oliver
Latin / Old French
Olive tree
BoyLiteraryNature
Olivia
Latin
Olive tree
GirlBotanicalHistorical
Omar
Arabic
Flourishing, long-lived
BoyHistoricalLiterary
Ondine
Latin / French
Little wave
GirlSeaMythological
Ophelia
Greek
Help
GirlLiteraryMythological
Oscar
Old English / Gaelic
God-spear or deer-lover
BoyLiteraryHistorical
Otis
Germanic / English
Wealth
BoyLiterary
Ottoline
Germanic / English
Wealth
GirlLiteraryHistorical
Pablo
Latin / Spanish
Small, humble
BoyBiblicalHistorical
Paloma
Spanish
Dove
GirlVirtueLiterary
Parisa
Persian
Fairy-like, angelic
GirlLiterary
Pascal
French / Latin
Easter child
BoyHistoricalLiterary
Penelope
Greek
Weaver
GirlLiteraryMythological
Percival
Old French / Arthurian
Pierce the valley
BoyLiteraryMythological
Persephone
Greek / English
Bringer of destruction
GirlMythologicalLiterary
Phineas
Hebrew / English
Mouth of the serpent
BoyLiteraryBiblical
Porter
Old English / American
Gatekeeper
UnisexLiterary
Presley
Old English / American
From the priest's meadow
UnisexLiteraryHistorical
Quentin
Latin / English
The fifth
BoyLiteraryHistorical
Quinton
Latin / English
The fifth
BoyLiterary
Radha
Sanskrit
Prosperity, success
GirlMythologicalLiterary
Ralph
Old English / Germanic
Wolf counsel
BoyHistoricalLiterary
Ramin
Persian
The cheerful one
BoyLiterary
Reverie
French / American
Dreaming, daydream
GirlLiteraryVirtue
Rishi
Sanskrit
Sage, seer
BoyMythologicalLiterary
Robert
Old German / Norman
Bright fame
BoyHistoricalLiterary
Romaine
Latin / French / American
Of Rome
UnisexLiterary
Romeo
Italian / Latin
Pilgrim to Rome
BoyLiteraryHistorical
Romilly
French / English
Roman
UnisexLiterary
Rosalind
Old German / English
Gentle horse
GirlLiteraryNature
Rosamund
Old German / Latin / English
Rose of the world
GirlBotanicalLiterary
Rostam
Persian
River
BoyMythologicalLiterary
Royston
Old English
From the king's town
BoyLiterary
Rue
Old French / English
Regret, the bitter herb
UnisexBotanicalLiterary
Rufus
Latin
Red-haired
BoyHistoricalLiterary
Rupert
Germanic / English
Bright fame
BoyLiteraryHistorical
Sabrina
Welsh / English / American
From the river Severn
GirlLiterarySea
Sade
Yoruba (Nigerian)
Honour confers a crown
GirlLiteraryHistorical
Saga
Old Norse
Seeress, story
GirlLiteraryMythological
Samira
Arabic
Evening companion
GirlLiterary
Sanaa
Swahili / Arabic
Art, work of beauty
GirlLiterary
Sapna
Sanskrit / Hindi
Dream
GirlLiterary
Sarika
Sanskrit
Songbird, koel
GirlNatureLiterary
Sawyer
Old English
One who saws wood
UnisexLiteraryNature
Sayuri
Japanese
Small lily
GirlBotanicalLiterary
Scarlett
Old French / English
Scarlet cloth
GirlHistoricalLiterary
Scott
Scottish
From Scotland
BoyHistoricalLiterary
Sebastian
Greek / Latin
From Sebastos — venerable
BoyHistoricalLiterary
Selma
Germanic / Swedish / American
God's helmet
GirlHistoricalLiterary
Sidney
Old English / French
From Saint-Denis
UnisexLiteraryHistorical
Sinead
Irish Gaelic
God is gracious
GirlVirtueLiterary
Sita
Sanskrit
Furrow
GirlMythologicalLiterary
Sohrab
Persian
Shining
BoyMythologicalLiterary
Solveig
Old Norse
Strong house
GirlLiteraryVirtue
Soraya
Persian / Arabic
Jewel, the Pleiades constellation
GirlCelestialLiterary
Soren
Old Norse / Danish
Stern
UnisexLiterary
Spencer
Old English
Steward, dispenser
UnisexLiteraryHistorical
Stephen
Greek / English
Crown, garland
BoyLiteraryHistorical
Story
Old English
Narrative, history
UnisexLiterary
Sybil
Greek / English
Prophetess
GirlMythologicalLiterary
Sylvia
Latin
Of the woods
GirlLiteraryBotanical
Sylvie
Latin / French / English
Of the forest
GirlBotanicalLiterary
Tabitha
Aramaic / Biblical / English
Gazelle
GirlBiblicalLiterary
Tahmineh
Persian
Brave, valiant
GirlMythologicalLiterary
Tallulah
Choctaw / English
Leaping water
GirlNatureLiterary
Tamsin
Cornish
Twin
GirlLiterary
Tate
Old English
Cheerful
UnisexLiterary
Tatiana
Russian
Of the Sabines
GirlLiteraryHistorical
Tess
English (from Theresa)
Harvester
GirlLiterary
Thalia
Greek
Blooming, festive
GirlMythologicalLiterary
Theodora
Greek
Gift of God
GirlHistoricalLiterary
Thessaly
Greek
Of Thessaly
UnisexMythologicalLiterary
Tove
Old Norse
Dove, beautiful
GirlLiteraryHistorical
Tristan
Welsh / Arthurian
Tumult, sorrow
BoyLiteraryMythological
Tuesday
Old English / American
Day of Tiw, the Norse god of single combat
UnisexLiterary
Una
Irish / Latin
One in Latin, lamb in Irish
GirlLiteraryVirtue
Valentine
Latin / English
Strong, healthy
UnisexLiteraryVirtue
Valentino
Italian / Latin
Strong, healthy
BoyVirtueLiterary
Verity
Latin
Truth
GirlVirtueLiterary
Vienna
Latin (place-name)
The city of Vienna
GirlHistoricalLiterary
Vincent
Latin / English
Conquering
BoyHistoricalVirtue
Vivian
Latin / English
Alive
GirlLiteraryMythological
Vivienne
Latin / French
Alive
GirlLiteraryMythological
Wallace
Scottish
Foreign, of the Welsh
BoyHistoricalLiterary
Walter
Old German / English
Ruler of the army
BoyHistoricalLiterary
Wen
Mandarin Chinese
Literature, culture, refinement
UnisexLiteraryVirtue
Wendell
Germanic / American
Wanderer
BoyLiteraryVirtue
Wendy
English / American
Friend
GirlLiterary
Wesley
Old English
Western meadow
BoyHistoricalLiterary
Wilbur
Germanic / American
Bright resolve
BoyLiteraryHistorical
Wilder
English
Hunter
UnisexNatureLiterary
Wilfred
Old English
Desiring peace
BoyLiteraryHistorical
Willa
Germanic / American
Resolute protector
GirlLiteraryVirtue
William
Old German / Norman
Resolute protector
BoyHistoricalLiterary
Winston
Old English
Joyful stone
BoyHistoricalLiterary
Wolfgang
Old German
Wolf's path
BoyLiteraryHistorical
Wynn
Welsh
Blessed, fair
UnisexVirtueLiterary
Ximena
Spanish (medieval)
Listener
GirlHistoricalLiterary
Yamini
Sanskrit
Night
GirlCelestialLiterary
Zane
Hebrew / American
Gift of God
BoyLiterary
Zhi
Mandarin Chinese
Wisdom, will, intention
UnisexVirtueLiterary
Zora
Slavic / African-American
Dawn
GirlLiteraryHistorical
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