literary-baby-names

There is no better place to turn to for baby name inspiration than to the minds of literary geniuses. Whether you’re a bookworm, writer, or simply looking for a name to capture the iconic qualities of classic characters, this list of literary baby names has a little something for everyone.

  1. Juliet: This one is no surprise! Stemming from Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, of course, it's a stellar choice for the romantic parents who adore a good love story.

  2. Oliver: Any diehard fans of the classics will want to honor Oliver Twist for sure.

  3. Dorian: A unique name that Oscar Wilde fans will know right off the bat! (The Picture of Dorian Grey)

  4. Atticus: Atticus Finch, a kind and fair man. Not bad qualities to emulate! Celebrity couples who named babies Atticus include Mary-Louise Parker and Billy Cruddup and Summer Phoenix and Casey Affleck. (To Kill a Mockingbird)

  5. Alice: For a wondrous little girl, this name comes most notably from Alice in Wonderland.

  6. Jay: For anyone just as mesmerized as we are by Mr. Gatsby’s lavish life… (The Great Gatsby)

  7. Katniss: A fairly new classic but a classic nonetheless, any baby would be honored to wear such a strong name! (The Hunger Games)

  8. Holden: Any The Catcher in the Rye fans out there? The first name of the rebellious Holden Caulfield, introduced to the world in another classic American novel, The Catcher in the Rye (1951), by JD Salinger. Celebrities who named a child Holden include Brendan Fraser, James Marsden, Eric McCormack, Rick Schroder, and Mira Sorvino.

  9. Matilda: An adorable choice that surely isn’t overused. And what kid wouldn't want those superpowers?! (Matilda)

  10. Beckett (also Becket): The story of Thomas Becket (aka Saint Thomas of Canterbury and Thomas a Becket) inspired Chaucer, TS Eliot, the Weinstein brothers, Ken Follett, and countless others writing for stage, screen, and print.

  11. Huckleberry: Seems impossible to separate Mark Twain and Huckleberry Finn, introduced by the author in 1884. Huckleberry is gaining in popularity as is Finn. Kimberly Williams and Brad Paisley used this as the middle for their son, who they call Huck. It’s what Bear Grylls named his third son. (The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Tom Sawyer). 

  12. Scarlett: Katie Scarlett O’Hara is the fiery heroine of Margaret Mitchell’s Pulitzer-Prize-winning Gone With the Wind (1936), which was quickly turned into the movie of the same name that made Academy Award history.  Scarlett Johansson’s name seems inspired by the book.

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