Literary Baby Names
Literary baby names come from beloved books, authors and characters — a thoughtful pick for families who measure their lives in good stories.
48 names · 18 boys · 24 girls · 6 unisex · Updated Jun 2026
If your shelves are full, a literary name is a quiet way to pass that love on. These names carry favorite characters, authors, and the books that shaped us.
This collection gathers bookish names across genres and eras — some classic, some unexpected. Browse by gender to find the one that reads just right.
Browse literary baby names
Filter by gender, re-sort, and tap any name for its full meaning, origin, and popularity.
arya
Noble, honorable
beckett
Bee cottage, little brook
caspian
Of the Caspian Sea or from Qazvin
cordelia
Heart or daughter of the sea
dylan
Son of the sea, born from the ocean waves
emerson
Son Of Emery, Brave, Powerful
emmett
Universal, truth
fitzgerald
Son of the spear ruler
hugo
Mind, Intellect, Spirit, Intelligent
huxley
Inhospitable place, Hugh's meadow
ian
God is gracious, the Lord is merciful
imogen
Maiden; beloved daughter
jane
God is gracious, merciful gift
jules
Youthful, Downy, Bearded Youth
madeline
Woman from Magdala, tower
marlowe
Driftwood, Lake Hill, Marshy Stream
oscar
Deer-lover; friend of deer; divine spear
poetry
Creative literary art
rhett
Advice, counsel
sawyer
Woodcutter
story
Narrative, tale
wells
Spring, Stream, Water Source
jessica
God beholds, foresight, to see
marnie
Of the sea; rejoice
nathaniel
Gift of God, given by God
atticus
From Attica, man of Athens
beatrice
She who brings happiness, blessed voyager
bianca
White, pure, shining bright
cassius
Empty, hollow, or vain
dante
Enduring or steadfast
daphne
Laurel tree, bay tree, victory
elio
Sun or ruler of the sun
evangeline
Bearer of good news, good tidings
francesca
Free one, woman of France
julietta
Youthful, Downy, Youthful Complexion
juliette
Youthful, soft-haired
miranda
Admirable, wonderful, worthy of admiration
ophelia
Helper, aid
phoebe
Bright, radiant, shining
colette
People of victory
Showing 40 of 48 names
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