If you’re a book lover, why not find your daughter’s name between the pages of a great novel? Literary names carry stories within them. Here are 10 unique and meaningful girl names inspired by beloved books and literature.
- Arwen (The Lord of the Rings)
J.R.R. Tolkien created this name from Sindarin Elvish, meaning “noble maiden.” Arwen Undómiel is the elven princess who gives up her immortality for love — a name that is both romantic and strong.
- Bathsheba (Far From the Madding Crowd)
Thomas Hardy’s independent heroine Bathsheba Everdene (yes, the inspiration for Katniss Everdeen’s surname) is one of literature’s most complex female characters. The name comes from Hebrew, meaning “daughter of an oath.”
- Cosette (Les Misérables)
Victor Hugo’s Cosette grows from a mistreated child to a symbol of hope and love. The name is French, a diminutive of Nicole, meaning “people of victory.”
- Dorothea (Middlemarch)
George Eliot’s Dorothea Brooke is one of fiction’s greatest heroines — intelligent, idealistic, and deeply human. The name means “gift of God” in Greek.
- Elspeth (Various Scottish Literature)
A Scottish form of Elizabeth, Elspeth appears throughout Scottish folklore and literature. It means “chosen by God” and carries a wild, highland spirit.
- Isadora (Various)
Inspired by the legendary dancer Isadora Duncan and appearing in various literary works. Isadora means “gift of Isis” in Greek — creative, free-spirited, and utterly unique.
- Lyra (His Dark Materials)
Philip Pullman’s Lyra Belacqua is one of modern fiction’s most beloved heroines. The name comes from the Greek constellation and musical instrument. It suggests both stargazing and music.
- Perdita (The Winter’s Tale)
Shakespeare’s lost princess in The Winter’s Tale. Perdita means “lost” in Latin — but the character is found, and the name is achingly beautiful.
- Scheherazade (One Thousand and One Nights)
The legendary storyteller who kept herself alive through tales. The name is Persian, believed to mean “city-born” or “of noble lineage.” A bold and unforgettable choice.
- Thessaly (Various)
Thessaly is a region of ancient Greece with rich mythological associations. It appears in various fantasy and literary works. Rare, classical, and strikingly beautiful.
Giving Your Daughter a Literary Name
Every literary name comes with a story — and that story becomes part of your daughter’s identity. When she asks about her name, you get to say: “Let me tell you about a wonderful book…”