Choosing a name for your baby boy is a momentous decision, and what better inspiration than the world of literature? If you’re a book lover, you can find a name that not only sounds beautiful but also carries the legacy of a beloved character or a renowned author. Literary names are rich with history, meaning, and personality, making them a perfect choice for your little one.
In this list, we’ve gathered 100 literary baby names for boys that span across genres and time periods. From classic names like Atticus and Oliver to more modern picks like Jasper and Finn, each name has a story to tell. Whether you want a name that reflects bravery, wisdom, or adventure, you’ll find plenty of options here to spark your imagination and celebrate your love of books.
100 Literary Baby Names for Boys
Here’s a detailed list of 100 literary baby names for boys, inspired by characters and authors from classic and contemporary literature. Each name is reflecting its unique meaning and literary heritage.
- Albus
Inspired by Albus Dumbledore from Harry Potter, meaning “white,” symbolizing wisdom and purity. - Aslan
From The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe, meaning “lion,” representing bravery and nobility. - Atticus
From Atticus Finch in To Kill a Mockingbird, meaning “from Attica,” embodying integrity and moral strength. - Augustus
Character in The Fault in Our Stars, meaning “majestic,” reflecting a larger-than-life personality. - Beckett
After playwright Samuel Beckett, a stylish choice associated with creativity and innovation. - Benvolio
From Romeo and Juliet, meaning “well wisher,” conveying kindness and friendship. - Bram
After Bram Stoker, author of Dracula, evoking gothic charm. - Calvin
From A Wrinkle in Time, meaning “bald,” representing cleverness and curiosity. - Charlie
From Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, a playful name symbolizing imagination and fun. - Conrad
After Joseph Conrad, author of Heart of Darkness, meaning “brave counsel,” ideal for a strong character. - Dante
Inspired by Dante Alighieri, author of The Divine Comedy, representing literary brilliance. - Draco
From Draco Malfoy in Harry Potter, bringing a sense of mystery and complexity. - Edgar
After Edgar Allan Poe, known for his macabre tales, symbolizing depth and creativity. - Elio
From Call Me by Your Name, conveying warmth and emotional depth. - Ernest
After Ernest Hemingway, a name representing strength and resilience. - Faulkner
Inspired by William Faulkner, the Nobel Prize-winning author, symbolizing literary excellence. - Fitzgerald
After F. Scott Fitzgerald, author of The Great Gatsby, a name with a classic and refined feel. - George
From Curious George, a classic name that embodies curiosity and adventure. - Hawthorne
After Nathaniel Hawthorne, known for his dark romanticism, offering a name rich in literary heritage. - Heathcliff
The brooding hero from Wuthering Heights, evoking passion and intensity. - Henry
A common name with literary ties to many authors and characters, representing timelessness. - Hemingway
A strong name after the iconic writer, symbolizing courage and adventure. - Huck
From Huck Finn in The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, representing freedom and adventure. - Ishmael
From Moby Dick, meaning “God will hear,” symbolizing introspection and existentialism. - Jem
From To Kill a Mockingbird, short for Jeremy, representing innocence and bravery. - Leo
After Leo Tolstoy, author of War and Peace, conveying nobility and intelligence. - Lennie
From Of Mice and Men, a gentle name symbolizing kindness and loyalty. - Maxim
A character from Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier, suggesting a strong and charismatic presence. - Oliver
From Oliver Twist, a classic Dickensian name representing resilience and hope. - Ovid
The Roman poet known for his mythological narratives, a name full of historical depth. - Peter
From both Peter Pan and Peter Rabbit, symbolizing childhood innocence and adventure. - Rhett
The charming lead in Gone with the Wind, meaning “advice,” reflecting charisma and wisdom. - Robinson
From Robinson Crusoe, symbolizing adventure and resilience. - Sawyer
From Mark Twain’s character Tom Sawyer, meaning “woodcutter,” embodying adventure and mischief. - Sebastian
A classic name with literary roots in Shakespearean plays, suggesting sophistication. - Silas
A biblical name that has gained popularity through literature, symbolizing wisdom. - Tom
From Tom Sawyer in Twain’s novels, an adventurous name representing exploration. - Watson
The loyal companion to Sherlock Holmes, symbolizing friendship and intellect. - Aldous
Inspired by Aldous Huxley, representing intellect and innovation. - Arthur
After Arthur Conan Doyle, conveying a sense of mystery and adventure. - Byron
Inspired by Lord Byron, a name that reflects passion and romanticism. - Cormac
After Cormac McCarthy, suggesting depth and strength. - Langston
Inspired by Langston Hughes, representing cultural richness and creativity. - Mark
After Mark Twain, symbolizing humor and storytelling. - Oscar
Inspired by Oscar Wilde, representing wit and charm. - Truman
After Truman Capote, conveying sophistication and artistry. - Bastian
From The Neverending Story, representing imagination and adventure. - Ferdinand
From The Story of Ferdinand, symbolizing gentleness and bravery. - Max
From Where the Wild Things Are, representing adventure and imagination. - Atticus
From To Kill a Mockingbird, meaning “from Attica,” symbolizing integrity. - Holden
Inspired by Holden Caulfield from The Catcher in the Rye, a name that evokes youthful rebellion. - Quixote
From Don Quixote, symbolizing idealism and chivalry. - Gatsby
Inspired by Jay Gatsby from The Great Gatsby, representing ambition and romance. - Scout
From To Kill a Mockingbird, symbolizing exploration and curiosity. - Dorian
From The Picture of Dorian Gray, representing beauty and complexity. - Poe
After Edgar Allan Poe, a short and strong name linked to gothic literature. - Winston
Inspired by Winston Smith from 1984, representing resilience against oppression. - Orwell
After George Orwell, a name that carries literary and political significance. - Milo
From The Phantom Tollbooth, representing adventure and curiosity. - Felix
Meaning “happy” or “fortunate,” inspired by various literary characters. - Sam
From The Lord of the Rings, symbolizing loyalty and friendship. - Jasper
From Twilight, a name that conveys a sense of mystery and intrigue. - Theo
From The Goldfinch, representing creativity and artistic flair. - Ronan
Inspired by The Raven Cycle, symbolizing a mystical and adventurous spirit. - Finn
From The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, representing freedom and adventure. - Drummond
After the character from The Comfort of Strangers, conveying strength and resilience. - Lysander
From A Midsummer Night’s Dream, representing romance and adventure. - Cassius
Inspired by Cassius Clay, symbolizing strength and determination. - Emerson
After Ralph Waldo Emerson, representing philosophy and individuality. - Cyrano
From Cyrano de Bergerac, symbolizing wit and romantic bravery. - Virgil
After the Roman poet Virgil, symbolizing classical literary heritage. - Huxley
Inspired by Aldous Huxley, representing intellect and creativity. - Larkin
After Philip Larkin, a name that conveys depth and introspection. - Gulliver
From Gulliver’s Travels, symbolizing adventure and exploration. - Zane
After Zane Grey, representing adventure and the outdoors. - Caspian
From The Chronicles of Narnia, symbolizing adventure and bravery. - Anakin
From Star Wars, representing a journey from light to darkness and back. - Hercule
Inspired by Hercule Poirot from Agatha Christie’s novels, symbolizing intelligence and mystery. - Thoreau
After Henry David Thoreau, representing nature and philosophy. - Lennon
Inspired by John Lennon, symbolizing creativity and change. - Attenborough
After David Attenborough, representing nature and storytelling. - Orson
After Orson Welles, symbolizing innovation and creativity. - Gandalf
From The Lord of the Rings, symbolizing wisdom and guidance. - Dashiell
Inspired by Dashiell Hammett, a name associated with detective fiction. - Alaric A strong name with historical literary connections.
- Ansel
Inspired by Ansel Adams, symbolizing creativity and artistry. - Rumi
After the Persian poet, representing love and spirituality. - Seamus
After Seamus Heaney, symbolizing poetic depth. - Raleigh
Inspired by Sir Walter Raleigh, representing adventure and exploration. - Noble
A name symbolizing honor and integrity. - Alistair
After Alistair MacLeod, representing literary tradition. - Benedict
A name that conveys blessings and goodwill. - Fitzwilliam
From Mr. Darcy in Pride and Prejudice, representing nobility and charm. - Phineas
From A Separate Peace, symbolizing youthful idealism. - Dorian
Inspired by Dorian Gray, representing beauty and complexity. - Hector
From The Iliad, symbolizing honor and bravery. - Santiago
From The Old Man and the Sea, symbolizing perseverance and resilience. - Raleigh
Inspired by Sir Walter Raleigh, representing exploration and adventure. - Waldo
From Where’s Waldo?, a playful name symbolizing curiosity. - Vladimir
After Vladimir Nabokov, representing literary depth and complexity.
This comprehensive list provides a variety of unique and meaningful literary names for boys, making it easier for parents to find inspiration rooted in rich literary traditions.