Names from books — characters, authors, and figures who shaped the language. Atticus from Harper Lee. Dorian from Wilde. Hermione from Shakespeare before Rowling. These names signal something about what you read. Whether that matters depends on your circles.
635 names — click any name for full meaning, origin, and analysis
elf warrior
Englishdivine present
Englishstrong, powerful
Jewishfrom Sebastia
Englishname of God
Englishson of the sea
Welshbelonging to Julius
Latingift of God
Hebrewsoldier, warrior
EnglishFrom the Hebrew 'Yitzhak'; the biblical patriar...
Englishfrom the western farmstead
Englishlittle blessed one
Englishrowan tree (mountain ash)
Irishfrom Hadria, of the Adriatic
Latingift of God
Englishforest, woods
Englishbrave boar
Englishsoldier, merciful
Englishhe who carries the heavens
Greekthe new house
Spanishbear, bear-like strength
Englishmaster, conqueror
Englishto prevail, to win
Frenchpeople's champion, victorious
Englishuniversal, whole
Englishdove
Englishfrom Grantham
Scottishone who saws wood
Englishspotted stone
Englishson of David
EnglishGod has given
HebrewJehovah is my God
Englishpraised, he will be praised
Englishson of Elias
Englishfrom the brook
Englishadvice, counsel
Americanhappy, fortunate
Englishrock, stone
Englishfair, white, bright
Irishdivine strength
Englishson
Englishnoble Roman citizen
Irishflat-nosed (secondary Greek meaning)
Englishlittle seal
Irishtumult, noise
Englishwhole, universal power
Englishbenevolent, kind
Welshfrom Attica, man of Athens
EnglishGreek transliteration of Hebrew Toviyah
Germandeep valley; hollow valley
AmericanRoman pilgrim
Italianson of Owen
Welshsteadfast, firm
Italiandescendant of the dark one
Irishfrom the people (damos)
Frenchdispenser of provisions, household steward
Englishfree, liberated
Americanson of Jove, divine descent
Romanbright in mind and spirit
Germanicfavored by the gods
Latinman of peace
Hebrewcomforted by God
Hebrewfamous warrior
Englishfree man
Englishgentle, loyal one
Greekprosperous spearman
Englishstrife, war
Irishbold counsel
Germangift of Yahweh
Germanof the gens Lucia (light)
Englishfearless, not cowardly
Americanlion of God
Hebrewsea-born, born of the sea
Welshgift, from the sea
Englishgreat, venerable, majestic
Englishpeaceful, gentle as a dove
Englishasked for, prayed for
JewishGod has remembered
Hebrewstern, strict, serious
Danishwise protector
Englishof the Caspian Sea
Englishsilver, shining
IndianGod is my help, help of God
Jewishof the Cassian family (Roman gens)
Englishpeace, submission to God
Englishwestern clearing
Englishglory of the land
Englishgift of God
Hebrewworshiper of God
Hebrewbeautiful friend, fair friend
Frenchfrom Amiens (France)
Englishburdened, laden
Jewishyouthful, downy-bearded
Frenchson of Jeffrey, son of God's peace
Americancandle maker or seller
Englishsettlement at the inhospitable place
Englishimmortal, divine
Englishlittle warrior
Frenchgood man, strong man
Scottishof golden complexion
Italianlittle cloak, beloved
Irishfifth, born fifth
Frenchone who helps
Jewishwise counselor
Englishfamous land
Italiancourageous heart
EnglishGod is my help
Englishlaughter
Englishson of the army ruler
Englishwell-born, of noble birth
Englishat the cattle sheds, one from the byres
Englishlong stone settlement
Englishhater of injustice
Spanishlight, luminous
Frenchwell-spoken
Englishbounty, kindly, beloved
Englishgreat forest, eagle valley
Englishfollower/servant of Marduk (Babylonian deity)
Jewishcity of God (alternate interpretation)
Jewishacquired, possessed
Englishforeigner, Welshman (Celtic speaker)
Scottishfrom Sebaste
Germandedicated to Mars
Italianbrave, bold
Irishswiftness, fleetness
Hebrewmy God is help
Jewishhigh stronghold, fort on the headland
African-Americanlion, brave one
Turkishbright-headed
Irishnear the holly trees
Englishleader, lord
Bretonhis excellence, his preeminence
Hebrewserious, determined, vigorous
Englishdark warrior
Scottishflame, fiery one
Frenchruler of all, universal ruler
Germanicgolden, gilded, of gold
Roman/Latinat the holly trees
Irishgentle breeze
Americanforest, garden
IndianGod is gracious
Frenchimmortal, not mortal
Welshtruly brave
Scottishwealthy guardian
Englishman from Hadria
FrenchGod is with us
Hebrewhe who causes distress
Greekfirm, steadfast (metaphorical)
Frenchindustrious, hardworking
Germanfrom Percy (Norman place name)
Englishfarm steward, granary manager
Englishchariot boy
Irishlove of God
Germandragon, serpent
Greekgod-helmet
Germandifficult journey
Latinone who works with books
Englishravager, one who destroys
GreekGod has healed
Englishmy God is help
Jewishprotected by Yahweh
Jewishborn at dawn, bringer of light
Italianof the Octavius clan
Spanishmountain goat, ibex
Hebrewwide island
Englishthe Lord is my God
Englishfair, white (from Finn)
Irishlight, illumination
Romanfamous through noble birth
Englishreminiscent of paladin (heroic knight)
Americanworshipper of Yahweh
Jewisha musical lament (the linos song)
Scandinavianeagle
Italianmill town, settlement by the mill
Englishtumult, noise
Welshsupplanter
Irishpleasantness, delight
Israelipriceless, praiseworthy
Germanfrom the Welsh Seisyll
Englishprimordial force of attraction
GreekGod will hear
Hebrewlittle bear, bear cub
Englishfair, white, bright
Irishthe Nubian, dark-skinned
Americanserpent's mouth
Englishstaff bearer, wand wielder
Englishfrom the town, settlement
Americanfifth-born child
Englishscarce, seldom
Turkishhe who resembles God (rhetorical)
Hebrewsad, melancholy (folk etymology)
Welshfrom Radley (red clearing)
Englishcloud
Irishknowledge (alternative Yiddish interpretation)
Ashkenazi Jewishgoddess of the hunt and moon
Greekdiminutive of Hans (John)
Germantraveler, one who returns home
Greeksteps over a fence or wall
Americanvalley of the hares
AmericanNames that come directly from significant literary works (Atticus, Holden, Dorian, Isadora), or names closely associated with major authors (Walt, Sylvia, Fitzgerald). We don't include names that just happen to appear in books — the literary connection has to be the defining thing about the name.
Some are. Holden immediately signals Catcher in the Rye to anyone who's read it. Atticus is obvious. But many literary names have crossed into mainstream use — Olivia (Shakespeare), Miranda (The Tempest), Sebastian (same), Dorian. The literary origin becomes background context rather than a loud signal.
Hermione existed in Shakespeare's The Winter's Tale 400 years before Rowling. It was rare when the books came out — now it's slightly less rare. If the association bothers you, that's fair. If it doesn't, it's a beautiful name with a long history that happens to have a famous recent bearer.
Browse by origin, meaning, syllables, or letter. Or run a tournament and let head-to-head matchups pick your favorite.
Find the perfect name for your dog, cat, or any pet with curated suggestions.
Generate authentic names for D&D and RPG characters across 12 fantasy races.
Generate names for fictional characters across genres with backstory profiles.