Looking for a unique and meaningful name for your baby girl?
Literary names carry a wonderful blend of elegance, history, and inspiration. From timeless classic characters to modern heroines, each name carries a story!
So let’s explore 50 literary-inspired baby girl names, complete with their origins, meanings, and the iconic characters who brought them to life. Whether you’re drawn to the bravery and intelligence of Hermione or the charm of Elizabeth, these literary names are sure to inspire you.
Book-loving families, dive in and discover the perfect baby girl name that has a story to tell!
1. Alice
Alice from Alice in Wonderland is curious, imaginative, and adventurous – beautiful qualities to pass on to a little girl! Alice is a classic and timeless name for girls that has German origins. It means ‘noble’ and ‘kind’.
2. Jane
Jane Eyre is a strong-willed, independent, and moral character, created by the legendary Charlotte Brontë. She is never afraid to stand up for her beliefs. The name Jane is another timeless vintage name for girls and has Hebrew origins. It means ‘God is gracious’.
3. Hermione
Hermione in Harry Potter is an inspirational character. She is intelligent, hardworking, and loyal, always using her quick thinking and incredible knowledge to save the day. The name itself has Greek origins and means ‘messenger’.
4. Emma
Emma Woodhouse is an incredibly charming and clever character, but she’s also naive and learns valuable lessons in the novel by Jane Austen. The name Emma is a timeless literary name for girls that has German origins. It means ‘whole’ and ‘universal’.
5. Scout
Scout, in the classic novel ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ is a curious, outspoken, and compassionate character who is trying to understand the complexities of human nature and injustice. The name itself is very uncommon in the US, and is sometimes used as a name for boys, too. It has English origins and means ‘to listen’.
6. Daisy
Daisy is a beautiful and charming character, but also shallow and conflicted. The name has Old English origins and means ‘day’s eye’. Daisy is a classic literary name for girls that will stand the test of time! It’s also a wonderful nature-inspired name.
7. Matilda
Matilda is a beloved character who is gifted, intelligent, and kind-hearted. She uses her wit and unique abilities to overcome the many challenges that face her in life. The name has German origins and means ‘battle-mighty’ – reflecting the character perfectly!
8. Juliet
Juliet is a classic literary name. The Shakespearean character is passionate, romantic, and bold, defying family expectations. The name itself means ‘youthful’ and has Latin origins.
9. Elizabeth
Elizabeth in ‘Pride and Prejudice’ is witty, independent, and quick to judge. Over the course of Jane Austen’s classic novel, she learns the importance of self-reflection and staying open-minded. The name is a timeless one that will work at every stage of your baby girl’s life! It has Hebrew origins and means ‘God is my oath’.
10. Esmé
Esmé in the novel by J.D. Salinger is a perceptive character who’s mature beyond her years. The name has French origins and has a beautiful meaning: ‘loved’. It’s pronounced ‘EZ-MAY’.
11. Arwen
Arwen is a wise, graceful, and self-sacrificing character, giving up immortality for her love, Aragorn in ‘The Lord of the Rings’. The name is very unusual in the US and has Welsh origins. It means ‘noble maiden’ and has a romantic touch to it!
12. Lucy
Lucy is a brave, kind, and pure-hearted character in this beloved children’s novel. The name is a classic one for girls and has Latin origins. It has a lovely meaning: ‘light’.
13. Anna
Anna in ‘Anna Karenina’ is passionate and conflicted, often caught between society’s expectations and what she truly wants. The name is a classic name and has Hebrew origins. It means ‘grace’.
14. Jo
Jo March is a character who is independent, ambitious, and determined to break free from traditional gender roles. The name itself is quite unusual for new babies in the US. It has Hebrew origins and means ‘God is gracious’. Jo can be the shortened version of Josephine, Joanne or Joanna.
15. Portia
Portia in the Shakespeare play ‘The Merchant of Venice’ is intelligent, eloquent, and resourceful – lovely traits to pass on to a brand new baby girl in the family! The name has Latin origins and is pronounced ‘POR-SHAH’.
16. Coraline
Coraline is a curious, brave, and resilient character, who has to explore a scary parallel world in to rescue her parents. The name is very unusual in the US and has Latin origins. It means ‘coral’ and is pronounced ‘COH-RAH-LINE’.
17. Beatrice
Beatrice is witty, sharp-tongued, and independent, like any little girl should be encouraged to be! It’s a vintage name for girls that has Latin origins. It has a lovely meaning: ‘bringer of joy’.
18. Lyra
Lyra Belacqua is adventurous, courageous, and quick-thinking, leading her on a difficult and dangerous quest across several worlds. The name itself is quite a rare one in the US. It has Greek origins and means ‘lyre’, which is a stringed instrument that’s quite similar to a harp.
19. Elinor
Elinor, in ‘Sense and Sensibility’, is a practical, reserved, and selfless character, navigating challenges in love and with her family. The name is a traditional one for girls and has various spelling variations, including ‘Eleanor’ and ‘Elenor’. It has Greek roots and means ‘light’.
20. Cordelia
Cordelia in ‘King Lear’ is loyal and compassionate, remaining true to her father even when he rejects her. The name has Celtic origins and means ‘heart’.
21. Meg
Meg in ‘A Wrinkle in Time’ is an awkward, self-conscious, but fiercely loving character. The name is often a shortened version of Megan, Meghan or Meagan. It has Greek origins and means ‘pearl’.
22. Clarissa
Clarissa Dalloway is a reflective, social, and elegant character. The name is quite uncommon now in the US. It has Latin origins and means ‘bright’ or ‘famous’.
23. Nora
Nora in ‘A Doll’s House’ is initially naïve, but, throughout the novel, is transformed, leaving her family to find herself. The name has Irish roots and means ‘light’.
24. Rosalind
In the classic Shakespeare play, Rosalind is witty, resourceful, and kind-hearted. The name is pretty unusual in the US and has Old German roots. It means ‘gentle horse’.
25. Wendy
Wendy in the children’s classic ‘Peter Pan’ is nurturing, imaginative, and responsible, like many little girls! The name is a vintage one and has English roots. It means ‘friend’.
26. Briony
Briony is imaginative and impulsive in ‘Atonement’ by Ian McEwan. The name has Greek origins and means ‘to grow’.
27. Estella
Estella is a character in ‘Great Expectations’ by Charles Dickens, who’s beautiful but emotionally distant. The name is quite a rare one in the US and has Latin origins. It has a sparkling meaning: ‘star’!
28. Tess
Origin: Greek
Meaning: To reap, harvest
Character inspiration: Tess Durbeyfield from Tess of the d’Urbevilles by Thomas Hardy
Tessa is an ‘everyday heroine’ in the Thomas Hardy classic. A girl raised with a simple life, Tess overcomes many obstacles and remains incredibly loyal to her family. The name has Greek origins and means ‘to harvest’.
29. Charlotte
Origin: French
Meaning: Free
Character inspiration: Charlotte the spider in Charlotte’s Web by E. B. White
Charlotte the spider in the classic children’s tale is a clever and determined little creature. She weaves messages in her web to communicate with a little girl, Fern, and eventually, they both save Wilbur the pig from slaughter. The name itself has French origins and means ‘free’ – very apt for the classic children’s tale!
30. Scarlett
Origin: English
Meaning: Red
Character inspiration: Scarlett O’Hara from Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell
Scarlett in ‘Gone with the Wind’ is a character who’s strong-willed, determined, and manipulative, willing to do whatever it takes to survive and succeed. But don’t let that put you off this sophisticated name! It’s a name with English origins that means ‘red’.
31. Bella
Origin: Italian
Meaning: Beautiful
Character inspiration: Bella Swan from Twilight by Stephenie Meyer
Bella in the Twilight series is shy, introverted, and loyal, navigating the complexities – and many challenges – of falling in love with a vampire! The name has Italian origins and means ‘beautiful’.
32. Katniss
Origin: English
Meaning: Sagittaria (plant)
Character inspiration: Katniss Everdeen from The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
The Hunger Games introduced us to the character Katniss – a resourceful, brave, and protective young woman, willing to sacrifice herself for her family. Katniss is another name for the Sagittaria plant and the name has English origins. Despite the popularity of the series, it’s a very rare name for girls in the US!
33. Lara
Origin: Greek
Meaning: Cheerful
Character inspiration: Lara Antipova from Doctor Zhivago by Boris Pasternak
Lara is a strong, passionate, and compassionate character. The name has Greek roots and means ‘cheerful’.
34. Rebecca
Origin: Hebrew
Meaning: To tie, bind
Character inspiration: Rebecca from Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier
Rebecca in the Daphne du Maurier classic is both mysterious and powerful, haunting the narrator after death. The name itself is a timeless one and means ‘to tie’ or ‘to bind’. It has Hebrew origins and is often shortened to ‘Becky’.
35. Marian
Origin: Latin
Meaning: Beloved
Character inspiration: Maid Marian from Robin Hood tales
Marian in the Robin Hood tales is a brave, loyal, and intelligent character and the name is quite rare in the US in modern times. It has Latin roots and means ‘beloved’ – a lovely meaning to pass on to a little baby girl!
36. Ophelia
Origin: Greek
Meaning: Help
Character inspiration: Ophelia from Hamlet by William Shakespeare
In Hamlet, Ophelia is fragile and obedient. But don’t let that put you off this classic and sophisticated name! It has Greek origins and means ‘help’.
37. Harper
Origin: English
Meaning: Harp player
Author inspiration: Harper Lee, author of To Kill a Mockingbird
The author Harper Lee was insightful, compassionate, and courageous. She chose to use her writing to challenge social injustices and barriers. The name has English roots and means ‘harp player’, perfect for musical families!
38. Violet
Origin: Latin
Meaning: Purple flower
Character inspiration: Violet Baudelaire from A Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket
In the clever ‘Series of Unfortunate Events’ by Lemony Snicket, teenager Violet is inventive, intelligent, and determined, using her many skills to protect her younger siblings from the horrible Count Olaf. The name itself is popular in the US and has Latin origins. It means ‘purple flower’, so it is often seen in lists of the most beautiful nature names, too.
39. Cosette
Origin: French
Meaning: Victorious
Character inspiration: Cosette from Les Misérables by Victor Hugo
Cosette is an innocent, kind, and resilient character. This literary girl’s name means ‘victorious’ – great for ambitious little ones – and has French roots.
40. Meggie
Origin: Greek
Meaning: Pearl
Character inspiration: Meggie Folchart from Inkheart by Cornelia Funke
Meggie, in the series ‘Inkheart’ is curious, brave, and loves books, discovering her incredible ability to bring stories to life. We love this literary name for little girls, especially those of families who love reading! It has Greek origins and means ‘pearl’.
41. Ramona
Origin: Spanish
Meaning: Wise protector
Character inspiration: Ramona Quimby from the Ramona series by Beverly Cleary
Ramona, in the children’s book series that spanned the 1950s all the way to the 1990s, is imaginative, outspoken, and mischievous. The name has Spanish origins and means ‘wise protector’. It’s a pretty rare name in the US, so it’s great for families looking for a unique name for their little girl!
42. Éowyn
Origin: Old English
Meaning: Lover of horses
Character inspiration: Éowyn from The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien
Éowyn, in The Lord of the Rings, is a brave and determined character, defying expectations to fight for her people. The name has Old English origins and means ‘lover of horses’. It’s pronounced ‘AY-OH-WIN’.
43. Lavinia
Origin: Latin
Meaning: Woman of Rome
Character inspiration: Lavinia from Titus Andronicus by William Shakespeare
The Shakespearean character Lavinia is tragic and innocent. The name has Latin origins and means ‘woman of Rome’. `
44. Eloise
Origin: French
Meaning: Healthy
Character inspiration: Eloise from the Eloise series by Kay Thompson
Eloise, in the Eloise series by Kay Thompson, is precocious, imaginative, and adventurous, often causing chaos in her luxurious hotel home. The name is French and means ‘healthy’.
45. Isabella
Origin: Hebrew
Meaning: Committed to God
Character inspiration: Isabella from Measure for Measure by William Shakespeare
Isabella is a virtuous, devout, and principled character in ‘Measure for Measure’ by Shakespeare. It’s a very popular name in the US that has Hebrew origins and means ‘devoted to God’.
46. Catherine
Origin: Greek
Meaning: Pure
Character inspiration: Catherine Earnshaw from Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë
Catherine in the classic novel ‘Wuthering Heights’ is passionate, headstrong, and wild. The story sees her torn between love and the expectations of society. The name itself is a vintage one that will stand the test of time. It has Greek roots and means ‘pure’.
47. Lydia
Origin: Greek
Meaning: Beautiful one
Character inspiration: Lydia Bennet from Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
Lydia in ‘Pride and Prejudice’ is a reckless and naive character, often causing worry for her family. This literary name for girls has Greek origins and means ‘beautiful one’.
48. Ginny
Origin: English
Meaning: Pure
Character inspiration: Ginny Weasley from the Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling
In the worldwide hit phenomenon Harry Potter, Ginny Weasley is brave, independent, and quick-witted, growing into a powerful and intelligent witch. Ginny is a name with English roots that means ‘pure’. It’s the perfect name for parents who are fans of Harry Potter!
49. Martha
Origin: Latin
Meaning: Lady
Character inspiration: Martha Cratchit in A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
Martha Cratchit is a hard-working, diligent and kind young lady in ‘A Christmas Carol’. The name is a very traditional one that means ‘lady’. It has Latin origins.
50. Marigold
Origin: English
Meaning: Golden flower
Character inspiration: Marigold from The Enchanted April by Elizabeth von Arnim
Marigold in ‘The Enchanted April’ is whimsical and reflective, searching for beauty and peace in a fast-paced world. The name has English roots and means ‘golden flower’. It’s a classic name that’s now quite unusual in the US.
Conclusion
Choosing a literary name for your baby girl is a wonderful way to give her a name rich in history, meaning, and, of course, character!
Whether you’re inspired by a brave heroine, a clever protagonist, or a timeless figure from a classic story, the literary girl’s names on this list all have a story to tell.
We love the adventurous spirit of Alice, the strength and determination of Katniss, the kindness of Rosalind and everything in-between.
We’re sure you’ll find the perfect literary name for your baby girl in this top 50 list. It’s perfect for families who love stories that take us to a different world!
If you’re still looking for inspiration, check out these nature-inspired names, angelic names and girl names inspired by majestic trees.
From our families to yours.
