Literary Baby Names
Names that share a literary feel, drawn from many origins, with what each one means and how it is doing in the US today. Browse 200+ names, each with its meaning and current US rank.
- #2
Emma
Germanic · Girl
A name meaning whole and universal, carrying a sense of completeness and timeless warmth.
- #3
Oliver
Latin · Boy
Descended from the olive tree, evoking peace, abundance, and warmth.
- #11
Harper
English · Girl
Originally meaning harp player, this name strikes a perfect chord between musical and...
- #17
Scarlett
English · Girl
A vivid color name full of passion and drama, as bold as the shade itself.
- #18
Emily
Latin · Girl
Meaning industrious and eager, a name that held the number one spot for over a decade.
- #58
Alice
Germanic · Girl
Meaning noble and kind, a name that has traveled through centuries of wonder and grace.
- #71
Lydia
Greek · Girl
Named for an ancient kingdom in Asia Minor, this name carries the richness of history.
- #75
Silas
Latin · Boy
Of the forest, a name rooted in nature and early Christian fellowship.
- #80
Bennett
Latin · Boy
Little blessed one, a name that carries benediction and literary charm.
- #82
Sawyer
English · Boy
One who saws wood, a name that channels Tom Sawyer's free-spirited charm.
- #84
Arthur
Celtic · Boy
Noble and courageous, the name of the legendary king of Camelot.
- #94
Madeline
French · Girl
Meaning woman from Magdala, a name beloved thanks to a plucky Parisian schoolgirl.
- #98
Beckett
English · Boy
Bee cottage, a name that hums with literary gravitas and vintage charm.
- #100
Sawyer
English · Unisex
An occupational name for a woodcutter, Sawyer has the adventurous spirit of Tom Sawyer...
- #101
Vivian
English · Girl
A lively name full of vitality and spirit.
- #103
Caspian
English · Boy
Named for the great inland sea, vast and full of literary wonder.
- #109
Dashiell
French · Boy
A dashing literary name with mystery-novel intrigue and patrician flair.
- #129
Forrest
English · Boy
Dweller near the woods, a name that breathes pine and open air.
- #129
Story
English · Girl
A word name full of narrative magic, perfect for a child whose life will be a great tale.
- #135
Scout
English · Girl
A bold word name meaning to observe, forever linked to literature's most beloved tomboy.
- #137
Marlowe
English · Girl
An English surname meaning driftwood or remnants of a lake, literary and cool.
- #149
Beatrice
Latin · Girl
Meaning she who brings happiness, the name of Dante's eternal muse and beloved.
- #156
Eloise
French · Girl
A French name meaning healthy and wide, forever linked to a mischievous girl at the Plaza.
- #157
Willa
Germanic · Girl
A feminine form of William meaning resolute protector, simple and strong.
- #159
Rhett
English · Boy
A passionate and enthusiastic child full of fire.
- #160
Elliot
English/Hebrew · Unisex
A name meaning the Lord is my God, Elliot has an intellectual, bookish charm that feels...
- #164
Elliot
English · Boy
The Lord is my God — literary and gentle
- #180
Ariel
Hebrew · Unisex
Meaning lion of God in Hebrew, Ariel soars between the biblical and the magical, equally...
- #180
Juliette
English · Girl
A youthful love, romantic and bright.
- #200
Ariel
English · Girl
A lion of God, spirited and free.
- #208
Vanessa
English · Girl
A butterfly name, graceful and literary.
- #221
Soren
Scandinavian · Boy
Stern and austere, a name of philosophical depth and Nordic clarity.
- #228
Thorin
Norse · Boy
Bold and daring, a name from the world of dwarven kings and thunder gods.
- #228
Holden
English · Boy
A child of the deep valley, thoughtful and true.
- #247
Cassian
Latin · Boy
Hollow or empty vessel, a name reborn through sci-fi adventure and ancient Rome.
- #253
Tobias
Hebrew · Boy
God is good, a name of gentle faith with storybook warmth.
- #254
Atticus
Latin · Boy
Of Athens, a name of literary heroism and moral courage.
- #263
Evangeline
English · Girl
A bearer of good news, radiant with hope.
- #267
Emerson
German · Unisex
Child of Emery, brave and industrious.
- #267
Emerson
English · Boy
A brave and powerful son of great industry.
- #301
Dante
Italian · Boy
Enduring and steadfast, a name of literary immortality.
- #306
Juliet
English · Girl
A youthful heroine of romance and devotion.
- #335
Octavia
English · Girl
An eighth-born name of Roman nobility.
- #377
Gwendolyn
English · Girl
A white ring of blessed beauty and purity.
- #377
Romeo
Italian · Boy
A pilgrim to Rome, whose name sings of eternal love.
- #383
Pablo
Spanish · Boy
A humble soul with artistic depth and gentle warmth.
- #386
Felicity
English · Girl
A name meaning intense happiness and good fortune.
- #389
Sabrina
English · Girl
A legendary princess from a river of myth.
- #391
Ophelia
English · Girl
A helper and lover from Shakespeare's stage.
- #393
Edgar
English · Boy
A wealthy spearman, prosperous and brave.
- #394
Madeleine
French · Girl
From the high tower, she sees the world with clarity.
- #395
Esmeralda
Spanish · Girl
A precious emerald, sparkling with beauty and grace.
- #398
Esme
French · Girl
Esteemed, beloved — gentle and literary
- #414
Alicia
Spanish · Girl
Of noble kind, she moves through life with dignity.
- #424
Helen
English · Girl
A bright shining light of beauty and wisdom.
- #440
Marlowe
English · Unisex
A literary name with an air of sophisticated mystery, Marlowe echoes both Elizabethan...
- #450
Scout
English · Unisex
A name of exploration and discovery, Scout honors the adventurous spirit in all of us and...
- #478
Matilda
English · Girl
A mighty in battle, strong and courageous.
- #504
Sylvia
English · Girl
A forest name, green and full of life.
- #509
Helena
English · Girl
A shining torch illuminating all with grace.
- #511
Dorian
English · Boy
A child from the sea, mysterious and alluring.
- #529
Colette
English · Girl
A victory of the people with French charm.
- #539
Huxley
English · Boy
A child from the inhospitable and wild place.
- #540
Quentin
French · Boy
The fifth, a name that speaks of completeness and harmony.
- #542
Miranda
English · Girl
A name meaning admirable and worthy of wonder.
- #559
Zelda
English · Girl
A dark battle maiden, strong and spirited.
- #568
Roland
English · Boy
A famous child from the renowned homeland.
- #583
Arturo
Spanish · Boy
Bear strong, this name carries the power of ancient legends.
- #585
Meredith
English · Girl
A great ruler from the sea, strong and wise.
- #601
Watson
English · Boy
A son of the powerful warrior, brave at heart.
- #615
Julieta
Spanish · Girl
Youthful and tender, she loves with boundless passion.
- #643
Coraline
English · Girl
A coral maiden from a tale of wonder.
- #650
Cassandra
English · Girl
A prophetess name shining with ancient wisdom.
- #691
Calliope
English · Girl
A muse of epic poetry with a beautiful voice.
- #695
Langston
English · Boy
A child from the tall man's peaceful estate.
- #710
Rumi
Japanese/Persian · Unisex
In Japanese it means beauty and flow, while in Persian it honors the beloved 13th-century...
- #725
Louisa
English · Girl
A renowned warrior, literary and beloved.
- #728
Bellamy
English · Unisex
A fine friend, loyal and true in all seasons.
- #779
Orlando
Spanish · Boy
Famous land, a name that evokes beauty and adventure.
- #785
Byron
English · Boy
A child from the barn, romantic and spirited.
- #803
Thalia
English · Girl
A muse of comedy, joyful and flourishing.
- #816
Ramona
English · Girl
A wise protector with warm Spanish roots.
- #820
Persephone
English · Girl
A bringer of spring from the underworld depths.
- #829
Idris
Welsh/Arabic · Unisex
A studious and ardent soul, wise and warm.
- #859
Kabir
Hindi · Boy
A great name meaning the vast one, evoking depth and wisdom.
- #873
Emmeline
English · Girl
A rival in work, earnest and gentle.
- #875
Ulises
Spanish · Boy
A wanderer whose odyssey leads to wisdom and home.
- #877
Zora
English · Girl
A dawn name breaking with new light.
- #912
Anais
English · Girl
A graceful name meaning merciful and compassionate.
- #920
Story
English · Unisex
A literary word name that says every life is a narrative worth telling, Story is...
- #939
Blaise
French · Boy
Stammering yet brilliant, a name of paradox and genius.
- #939
Blaise
French · Unisex
One who speaks with a gentle stammer, humble and bright.
- #969
Cedric
Celtic · Boy
Bounty, pattern — literary and noble
- #973
Marceline
French · Girl
A little warrior, brave and tenderly fierce.
- #1002
Cordelia
English · Girl
A heart of the sea, noble and true.
- #1011
Atharv
Sanskrit · Boy
A sacred name from ancient knowledge, wise and scholarly.
- #1055
Ulysses
English · Boy
A wrathful wanderer returning home at last.
- #1113
Tatiana
Russian · Girl
A fairy queen who rules with gentle grace.
- #1125
Viola
English · Girl
A violet flower, delicate and Shakespearean.
- #1143
Arden
English · Boy
A child from the great and ancient forest.
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