210 Fantastic Literary Names with Meanings

Every parent is looking for the right name for their baby. But in doing so, many go for names that aren’t popular for whatever reason.

However, this is a costly mistake because you can’t change the name later.

We’ve all heard stories where parents name their child something that the child ends up growing up to hate it.

How can you avoid that? Do some research and check out some popular literary baby names to get a better idea.

Brian– “noble”

Laird– “Lord”

Aleixo– “Defender of man”

Alexander– “defending men”

Branwen – “Bronwyn”

Cordelia– “daughter of the sea”

Hermia– “Of the Earth”

Bellamy– “good friend”

Glynnis– “pure”

Oberon– “Noble Bear”

Lowen– “Joy”

Ashton– “ash trees place”

In the past, some parents have named their children after celebrities or fictional characters. Sometimes the parents themselves will choose a name that is not typical.

Other times they will choose a name that is not common at all.

Some parents are so overwhelmed with the task of naming their child that they opt for a one-word baby name.

And although this has been a popular choice, it’s not always the best decision.

In many cultures around the world, a name is considered an important part of a child’s identity.

Besides, it’s a good idea to avoid naming your child the same as their father, which might lead to confusion.

So, what should the perfect baby’s name be? Let’s dive into the list of awesome literary baby names.

Adna– “delight”

Douglas– “black river”

Emily– “rival”

Angelique– “like an angel”

Cassia– “cinnamon”

Anani– “a cloud”

Leonora– “compassion

Aiden– “little and fiery”

Ornella– “Flowering Ash Tree”

Nicia– “People Victory”

Jemima– “dove”

Archer– “bowman”

Literary Names

Emma– “universal”

Minu– “Eden”

Isabelle– “Devoted to God”

Vita– “vital,”

Aisha– “life, Vivaciousness”

Ruth– “compassionate friend”

Evelyn– “wished for child”

Gabrielle– “God is my strength”

Vaughn– “small”

Genesis– “beginning”

Darlene– “darling”

Popular Literary Names

Helios– “Sun”

Rufus– “red haired”

Ocean– “evocative of the sea”

Halen– “Hall of light”

Alejandro– “Defender of man”

Elisabeth– “Devoted to God”

Rosa– “rose”

Pascal– “born during Easter”

Isolde– “ice ruler”

Atticus– “from Attica”

Astred– “Astrid”

Oria– “Golden”

Literary Names

What are some of the cutest literary baby names?

Leonie– “lion”

Eugenie– “good genes”

Stellan– “calm”

Faith– “belief”

Shawn– “God is Gracious”

Celeste– “heavenly”

Abigai– “brings joy”

Baldwin– “brave friend”

Orson– “bear”

Rosemary– “dew of the sea”

Roman– “of Rome”

Lana– “afloat in calm waters”

More Baby Names:

Tips for Naming Your Babies

There are millions of baby names out there, and while most parents decide on a name and stick with it for the rest of their lives, there are some who wish the best for their future child, but don’t have a clue how to choose a name.

These parents may be confused about why they can’t come up with a name for their baby, or they may have tried several times and have given up on the idea.

If you are considering giving your child a name, there are some things you should know:

1.   Pick the name you love, even if it is popular.

It is popular and you love it. Anything else you need to think upon? Nope. Go for it. If you want to give it uniqueness, think of a great middle name.

Here are some popular literary baby names out there:

Elowen– “elm tree”

Drusilla– “fruitful”

Flora– “flower”

Briony– “wild hedgerow”

Aislinn “dream”

Oona – “lamb”

Giselle– “pledge”

Reina– “queen”

Dawn– “rising sun”

Melia– “work”

Eudora– “good gift”

Keziah– “cassia tree”

2.   Do not skip lovely literary baby names even if they are unique, unusual, and different.

Sometimes, parents will not go for unusual, unique, and different baby names.

They consider it weird. Let me tell you that being attractive and thought provoking is the game these days.

How would you like these literary baby names:

Citrine– “healed by the Sun”

Cassandra– “prophetess”

Fairy– “fairy”

Ondine– “little wave”

Eulalie– “sweetly speaking”

Lavender– “light purple flower”

Elena– “shining light”

Merida– “pearl”

Primrose– “colorful flowers”

Fern– “forest plant”

Daisy– “day’s eye”

Leia– “weary” or “relaxed”

Iridessa– “like a rainbow”

Gwendolyn– “white ring”

3.   Be confident if you want to go toward personalized spellings for your baby’s name.

SURE. You should be confident when giving personalized spellings to your baby’s name.

However, it is important that you do not make it weird. Adding or removing an alphabet would be enough here.

Try changing these baby names spellings into personalized ones:

Edna

Meaning: “pleasure”

Origin: “Hebrew”

Description: a female given name originating from several languages. In Hebrew, it means “pleasure”.

Spelling and Variation: “dash”

Famous people with name: Edna Deane (1905–1995), English ballroom dancer, choreographer and author.

Dace

Meaning: “for someone thought to resemble the fish of this name”

Origin: Latvia”

Description: a metonymic occupational name for a fisherman or fish seller.

Spelling and Variation: “Candace”

Famous people with name: Dace Akmentiņa (1858–1936), Latvian actress.

Emma

Meaning: “whole”

Origin: “Germanic”

Description: derived from the Germanic word ermen, meaning “whole” or “universal.”

Spelling and Variation: “Emmalyn, Ema, Ima”

Famous people with name: Emma Thompson. Surname: Thompson.

Aida

Meaning: “Happy”, “Returning”, “Helper”

Origin: Arabic, Latin”

Description: a female given name.

Spelling and Variation: “Aidda, Ada, Aeeda, Aída, Aide, Aidee, Ade, Ajda, Ayeda, Ayeeda, Ayida, Ida, Ieeda, Ieda, Ieta and Iyeeda”

Famous people with name: Aída Álvarez (born 1950), Puerto Rican politician and journalist.

Alberts

Meaning: “son of Albert”

Origin: “Anglo-Saxon”

Description: The surname Alberts is derived from the Saxon personal name Aethel-berht.

Spelling and Variation: Aalbers, Albers, Albertsen, Albertson”

Famous people with name: Albert, Prince Consort. Given name: Albert.

Harald

Meaning: “Powerful man in the army”

Origin: Viking.

Description: Viking origin , and its means Powerful man in the army.

Spelling and variations: Harold, Harry.

Famous people with this name: Harald V.

Justina

Meaning: “just, fair”

Origin: Latin”

Description: a derivative of Iustus, meaning fair or just. For the masculine version of the name.

Spelling and Variation: “Justin, Justine”

Famous people with name: Justina Robson. Surname: Robson.

Salome

Meaning: “peace”

Origin: “Hebrew”

Description: was one of the women who witnessed the resurrection of Jesus Christ along with the two Marys.

Spelling and Variation: “Dash”

Famous people with name: Salome Gluecksohn-Waelsch. Surname: Gluecksohn-Waelsch.

Talena

Meaning: “the rock”

Origin: “celtic”

Description: People with name Talena are usually Christianity by religion.

Spelling and Variation: “Talenna, Tallena, Tallenna”

Famous people with name: Katalena Mermelstein in Scars as Actress.

Ernests

Meaning: “serious”

Origin: “Germanic”

Description: most famous bearer of the name is novelist Ernest Hemingway—unless you want to count Bert’s friend Ernie.

Spelling and Variation: “Ernie”

Famous people with name: Ernest Augustus, Elector of Brunswick-Lüneburg.

Amanda

Meaning: “worthy of love”

Origin: “Latin”

Description: was a popular literary name in the 17th and 18th centuries and was also a staple of the 1980s.

Spelling and Variation: “Amanada, Amandalyn, Amandine”

Famous people with name: Amanda Holden (writer) Surname: Holden. Initials: AH.

Svetlana

Meaning: “light”

Origin: “South Slavic”

Description: is a common Orthodox Slavic feminine given name, deriving from the East and South Slavic root svet.

Spelling and Variation: “dash”

Famous people with name: Svetlana Boginskaya. Surname: Boginskaya.

Adela

Meaning: “noble”

Origin: Germanic”

Description: a female given name meaning noble or serene. Adela is also a male name in Ethiopia.

Spelling and Variation: “Adele”

Famous people with name: Adeliza of Louvain. Given name: Adela.

Marks

Meaning: “consecrated to the god Mars”

Origin: “German”

Description: is a traditionally masculine name that means “consecrated to the god Mars.” It is derived from the Latin name Mart-kos.

Spelling and Variation: Marc, Marco, Marcos, Marcus, Marek, Marko, Martin”

Famous people with name: The Undertaker. Given name: Mark.

Mariela

Meaning: “drop of the sea”

Origin: “Italian”

Description: is primarily chosen for naming girls. Its other meanings include ‘bitter’, and ‘beloved’. It is a diminutive of the traditional name Maria.

Spelling and Variation: “Mariela, Mariella, Maryela, Maryella”

Famous people with name: Mariela Antoniska. Surname: Antoniska. Initials: MA.

4.   Crossing your favorite literary baby names on the feedback on friends and family members.

Feedback is important. But it does not mean to listen to every other person’s opinion.

You will hardly find literary baby names that everybody would like. Therefore, get feedback but still know your choice.

Consider getting feedback on these baby names from your friends and family members:

Larissa– “citadel”

Marin– “star of the sea”

Fay – Old “fairy”

Eve– “life”

Cressida– “gold”

Audra– “strength”

Coraline– “pearl”

Lumen– “measurement of light”

Hestia– “hearth” or “fireside”

Nova– “new”

Imogen– “maiden”

Buffy– “promise of God”

Poppy– “red flower”

Luella– “famous elf”

Lorelei– “alluring”

5.   Do a little research and find what is out there.

Research is important step for the first-time parents as well for those who do not know what sort of names people pick. You will be all good once you do a little internet research.

You will also be able to find some great literary baby names that you might consider now or in the future.

Here are some common baby names examples to help you:

Ivo

Meaning: “Yew”

Origin: “Normannic”

Description: is an unusual, catchy name with the energetic impact of all names ending in ‘o’.

Spelling and Variation: “Iva, Eva, and Yvette”

Famous people with name: Ivo Andrić-Lužanski (born 1956), Croat politician of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Zane

Meaning: “God is gracious”

Origin: “Venetian”

Description: primarily a gender-neutral name of American origin that means God Is Gracious.

Spelling and Variation: “Zane”

Famous people with name: Zane Copeland (born 1982), American rapper better known as “Lil’ Zane”.

Edgars

Meaning: “prosperity’, ‘fortune”

Origin: “Scottish”

Description: may refer to: Edgars Bergs (born 1984), Latvian discus thrower and shot putter and Paralympic medalist.

Spelling and Variation: “Edgardo, Edgarda, Edgar”

Famous people with name: Edgar Bergen, American actor, radio performer, ventriloquist.

Daile

Meaning: “valley”

Origin: “Old English”

Description: as a name for girls (also used as boys’ name Daile) is of Old English origin, and Daile means “valley”.

Spelling and Variation: “Dale”

Famous people with name: Dale Baum (born 1943), American historian and professor.

Adelheid

Meaning: “Noble”

Origin: German.

Description: German origin and its means Noble.

Spelling and variations: Adelaide, Heide, Heidi.

Famous people with this name: Adelheid Maria.

Leslie

Meaning: “From the holly garden”

Origin: English.

Description: English origin and its means From the holly garden.

Spelling and variations: : Lee, Leigh, Les, Leslea, Leslee.

Famous people with this name: Leslie Uggams.

Jaime

Meaning: “”

Origin: Scottish.

Description: Scottish origin and its means.

Spelling and variations: Jamie, Jami, Jaymie, James.

Famous people with this name: Jamie Lee Curtis.

Penelope

Meaning: “A weaver of thread”

Origin: Greek.

Description: Greek origin and its means A weaver of thread.

Spelling and variations: Peneloppe, Pennelope, Penelopie, Penelopy.

Famous people with this name: Actress Penelope Cruz.

Ran

Meaning: “Orchid”

Origin: Japanese.

Description: Ran is primarily a female name of Japanese origin that means Orchid.

Spellings and Variations: Raanan, Rami, Rumi, Raimi, Rain, Raina, Raine, Ramon, Ramona, Ranae.

Famous people with this name: Ran Dank.

Laura

Meaning: “Laurel”

Origin: Latin.

Description: Latin origin and its means Laurel.

Spelling and variations: Lora, Lauretta, Loretta, Lorita.

Famous people with this name: Author Laura Ingalls Wilder.

Irma

Meaning: “world”

Origin: “German”

Description: The name comes from the Old High German.

Spelling and Variation: Irmeli, Irmelin, Irmhild, Irmin”

Famous people with name: Irma Heijting-Schuhmacher. Surname: Heijting-Schuhmacher.

Meta

Meaning: “Pearl”

Origin: “German”

Description: typically show the Meta description in search results below your Title tag.

Spelling and Variation: Meta Davis Cumberbatch (1900–1978), Trinidad-born pianist, composer, writer and cultural activist.

Famous people with name: “Metis, Methena, Meta, Methodios, Methuselah”

Reinholds

Meaning: “beloved”

Origin: “German”

Description: In the 11th century, the Normans further established this name as Reinald and Reynaud.

Spelling and Variation: “Reinhold, Reinholld, Reinnhol, Reinnholld, Reynhold, Reynholld”

Famous people with name: “Reinhold Mitterlehner”

Agra

Meaning: “front of the forest”

Origin: “Hindi”

Description: was given to it because the soil in the region is brackish and salt used to be made here once by evaporation.

Spelling and Variation: “dash”

Famous people with name: Laxmi Raman Acharya.

Giorgia

Meaning: “Farmer”

Origin: Latin.

Description: Latin origin and its means Farmer.

Spelling and variations: Georgiana, Giorgina, Gina, Georgia.

Famous people with this name: Italian singer Giorgia Todrani.

6.   Consider the names of the subsequent children.

Maybe, you are first time parents and figuring out some cool literary baby name. It is a good idea to consider the names of subsequent children too.

7.   Avoid the names with bad meanings.

Baby names with bad meanings can be a cause of embarrassment for you and your kid.

Be sure to know the meaning of the name you are gonna pick and be sure it is encouraging and positive.

Here are some of the cool literary baby names with meanings:

Isla– “island”

Naida– “water nymph”

Aura– “glowing light”

Ariel – “lion of the God”

Avalon– “island of apple trees”

Moon– “moon”

Isolde– “ice battle”

Pandora– “all-gifted”

Celeste– “heavenly”

Millicent– “strong”

Alvina “elf-friend”

Maraja– “made of the sea”

Lilac– “blue-purple flower”

Estella – “star”

8.   Pick up good people’s names from history.

The name of person has an effect on his/her personality, it is said. Maybe, that’s the reason why people choose names from history. You can consider this as well.

I am sure you have heard about many legends from the past. I bet you’d find some awesome and useable literary baby names if you look into it.

We have a small list of literary baby names here for you to check out and know if you have heard them before:

Arya

Meaning: “Noble Goddess”

Origin: Hebrew.

Description: the Meaning of Arya in Hebrew and Aramaic is “lioness.” Another meaning of the name is “Noble Goddess.”

Spellings and variations: Ariya, Aria, Ariyah.

Famous people with this names: Arya.

Atticus

Meaning: “from Attica”

Origin: Latin.

Description: Atticus derives from the Greek Attikos, meaning “from Attica”.

Spelling and variations: Aticus , Attikus.

Famous people with this name: Titus Pomponius Atticus.

Charles

Meaning: “free man”

Origin: “Old English”

Description: royal name began as Charlemagne before being shortened to Charles.

Spelling and Variations: “Carla, Carlotta, Charlotte, and Charlie”

Famous people with name: Carlos Irwin Estevez.

Eliza

Meaning: “God is my oath”

Origin: Polish.

Description: Eliza is Polish origin , and its means God is my oath.

Spellings and Variations: Ellie, Elle, Liz, Liza, Elisa, Elizabeth.

Famous people with this names: Eliza Jane Taylor.

Emilia

Meaning: “excel”

Origin: Latin.

Description: Latin origin and its means is excel.

Spelling and variations: Aemilia, Amelia, Emelia, Emily, Amilya, Emiliana, Amilia.

Famous people with this name: Emilia Clarke.

Fern

Meaning: “Fern”

Origin: Old English.

Description: Old English origin and its means Fern.

Spelling and variations: Ferne.

Famous people with this name: Fern Arable.

Flora

Meaning: “Flower”

Origin: Latin.

Description: Latin origin and its means Flower.

Spelling and variations: Florence, Fleur.

Famous people with this name: Florence Nightingale.

Gabriella

Meaning: “God is my strength”

Origin: Hebrew.

Description: Gabriellais of Hebrew origin and its means God is my strength.

Spellings and Variations: Gabriela, Gabriele, Gabrielle, Gabriel, Gabe.

Famous people with this names: Actress Gabriella Wilde.

Norma

Meaning: “precept”

Origin: “Germanic”

Description: has been used as a female equivalent of the name Norman, meaning “Norseman”.

Spelling and Variation: “Noarma”

Famous people with name: Norma Aleandro, an Argentine actress.

Digna

Meaning: “Worthy”

Origin: “Latin”

Description: a girl’s name of Latin origin meaning “worthy”. Seems to cry out for another syllable.

Spelling and Variation: “Dignna, Dygna, Dygnna”

Famous people with name: Digna Ochoa.

Augusts

Meaning: “venerable”

Origin: “Latin”

Description: was named in honor of the Emperor Augustus (63 bc–ad 14), after whom it became conventional for Roman emperors to adopt Augustus as a title on their accession.

Spelling and Variation: “Awgust”

Famous people with name: August Strindberg. Surname: Strindberg.

Edmunds

Meaning: “protector”

Origin: “Old English”

Description: a masculine given name or surname in the English language.

Spelling and Variation: “Edmunnd”

Famous people with name: Eddy Grant. Given name: Edmond Montague Grant.

Alice

Meaning: “Noble type”

Origin: Italian.

Description: Italian origin and its means Noble type.

Spelling and variations: Alicia, Alecia, Alisha, Alyce, Alys, Alise.

Famous people with this name: Writer Alice Walker.

Anna

Meaning: “grace”

Origin: Variation of Hannah, Hebrew

Description: is the Latin form of Hannah, a Hebrew name that derived from root chanan, meaning “grace.”

Spellings and Variations: Hannah and Anna.

Famous people with this name: Saint Anne.

9.   Make sure the first and second names fit with each other.

This happens rarely that the first and seconds names do not fit and meet each other well. It is, however, something you would not want.

Check out literary baby names and try to make full names that fit each other nicely:

Nessa– “pure”

Faith– “belief”

Autumn– “fall”

Calista– “most beautiful”

Aubrey– “elf ruler”

Aurelia– “the golden one”

Daenerys– “lady of light; lady of hope”

Evadne– “pleasing one”

Adria “dark one”

Mabh –  “she who brings joy”

Ingrid– “beautiful”

Ophelia– “help”

Esme– “beloved”

Fenella– “white-shouldered one”

10.   Avoid names with too many syllables.

Baby names with too many syllables are complex. They are hard to remember. They should be avoided.

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About Muhammad Bilal

Bilal is BS computer science student. He is learning programming and coding. Branding and marketing are his other interests. When he isn't working, he loves indoor games.