101 Baby Names from Classic Children’s Books

Are you on a search for a popular or unique baby name for your little reader-to-be? Literary baby names inspired by fairy tales and other children’s books will give you a great story to share with your child if they ask where their name came from. Maybe it’s a character from your favorite book, or a fairy tale hero you find inspiring.

From picture books by Beatrice Potter to novels by Charles Dickens and Mark Twain, if you’re looking for some bookish baby name inspiration, there are a multitude of literary monikers to choose from for your little book worm.

Related: 150 Medieval Baby Names, Meanings and Origins

Baby Boy Names Inspired By Children’s Books

Check out these characters for ideas for literary baby boy names from storybook characters to consider for your little baby boy.

Boy Names Inspired by Children's Books that Start with A to I

1. Adam - Hebrew meaning “son of the red Earth.” From Beauty and the Beast.
2. Albus - German meaning “white.” After Albus Dumbledore from Harry Potter.
3. Alexander - From Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day.
4. Arnold - German meaning “eagle” and “powerful.” After Arnold Lobel American author of the Frog and Toad series.
5. Artemis - Greek meaning “moon goddess.” From Artemus Fowl.
6. Arthur - Welsh/Celtic meaning “bear hero.” After the children’s book and tv series Arthur.
7. Aslan - Old English meaning “ash tree” or Turkish meaning “lion.” From The Chronicles of Narnia
8. Atticus - Latin meaning “from Athens.” After Atticus Finch, from To Kill a Mockingbird.
9. Christopher - Greek meaning “Christ-bearer.” After Christopher Robin from Winnie the Pooh.
10. Don - Old English meaning “ruler of the world.” After Corduroy author Don Freeman.
11. Edmund - Spanish meaning “homebody”; Old English meaning “rich warrior.” From The Chronicles of Narnia
12. Eric - Scandinavian meaning “ruler of all.” After Eric Carle, author of The Very Hungry Caterpillar.
13. Ezra - Hebrew meaning “salvation.” After Ezra Jack Keats, author of The Snowy Day.
14. Finn - Irish meaning “fair-haired”; Old Norse meaning “thunder.” From Huckleberry Finn.
15. Gaston - French meaning “from Gascony.” From Beauty and the Beast.
16. George - Greek meaning “farmer.” Inspired by Curious George.
17. Gilbert - German meaning “bright desire.” After Gilbert Blythe from Anne of Green Gables.
18. Hansel - Scandinavian meaning “the Lord is gracious” or Hindi meaning “swan.” From Hansel and Gretel.
19. Harold - Old German meaning commander. Inspired by Harold and the Purple Crayon.
20. Harry - Old German meaning “commander,” or German meaning “house ruler.” Inspired by Harry Potter.
21. Hector - Greek meaning “anchor.” After Hector from Holes.
22. Holden - Old English meaning “valley.” From The Catcher in the Rye.
23. Huck - German meaning “bog.” From Huckleberry Finn.

Boy Names Inspired by Children's Books that Start with J to Z

24. Jack - Hebrew meaning “the supplanter” or “God’s grace.” From Jack and the Beanstalk.
25. James - Hebrew meaning “Supplanter” or “substitute.” Inspired by Roald Dahl’s James and the Giant Peach.
26. Kenneth - English meaning “royal obligation” or Irish/Scottish for “handsome.” After Kenneth Grahame, author of The Wind in the Willows.
27. Laurence - Latin meaning “glorified” or “laurel crown.” After Laurie from Little Women.
28. Max - From Where the Wild Things Are.
29. Lewis - German meaning “famous warrior.” After Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland author Lewis Caroll.
30. Lyle - French meaning “from the island.” From Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile.
31. Ludwig - German meaning “famous warrior.” After Ludwig Bemelman, author of Madeline.
32. Maurice - Latin meaning “dark-sinned.” After Maurice Sendak, author of Where the Wild Things Are.
33. Matthew - Hebrew meaning “gift of God.” After Matthew Cuthbert of Anne of Green Gables.
34. Peter - Latin meaning “rock, stone.'“ From Peter Rabbit or The Snowy Day.
35. Pete - Latin meaning “rock, stone.” After Pete The Cat.
36. Phillip - Greek meaning “horse lover.” From Sleeping Beauty.
37. Romeo - Italian meaning “pilgrim to Rome” or “romantic lover.” From Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet.
38. Ron - Latin meaning “true image.” After Ron Weasley from Harry Potter.
39. Sylvester - Latin/English meaning “woodman” or “from the forest.” From Sylvester and the Magic Pebble.
40. Stanley - Old English meaning “from the rocky meadow.” After Stanley from Holes.
41. Thomas - Greek meaning “twin.” After Thomas The Train.
42. Tom - Greek meaning “twin” or Old English meaning “little.” After Tom Sawyer.
43. Wilbur - German meaning “bright desire.” Inspired by Charlotte’s Web.

Baby Girl Names Inspired By Children’s Books

Heroines from children’s books are plentiful, so inspire your daughter by giving her a book-inspired baby girl name.

Girl Names Inspired by Children's Books that Start with A to K

44. Alice - German meaning “noble” or Greek meaning “truth.” From Alice in Wonderland.
45. Amelia - German meaning “industrious.” From the series Amelia Bedelia.
46. Amy - Latin/French meaning “beloved.” After Amy March from Little Women.
47. Anne - Hebrew meaning “gift of God’s favor.” From Anne of Green Gables.
48. Ariel - Hebrew meaning “like a beautiful melody.” From The Little Mermaid.
49. Aurora - Latin meaning “gold” or “goddess of the dawn.” From Sleeping Beauty.
50. Beatrice - Latin meaning “happy.” Inspired by the Ramona Quimby series.
51. Beatrix - Latin meaning “happy.” After Beatrix Potter, illustrator, scientist, and children’s book writer.
52. Belle - Spanish meaning “beautiful” or Hebrew meaning “God’s oath.” From Beauty and the Beast.
53. Beth - Hebrew meaning “God’s oath” or “dedicated.” After Beth March from Little Women.
54. Beverly - Old English meaning “meadow of beavers.” After author Beverly Cleary.
55. Cassandra - Greek meaning “capricious” after the prophet of doom in mythology." After Cassandra Mortmain from I Capture the Castle.
56. Charlotte - French meaning “little and womanly.” Inspired by Charlotte’s Web.
57. Diana - Latin/Greek meaning “divine.” After Diana Barry from Anne of Green Gables.
58. Dorothy - Greek meaning “gift of God.” From The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.
59. Eloise - French meaning “intelligent, smart” or Old German meaning “warrior maiden.” From the book series of the same name.
60. Elizabeth - Hebrew meaning “my God is an oath.” After Elizabeth Bennett, from Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice.
61. Emily - Latin meaning “Eager.” Inspired by Emily Elizabeth from Clifford, the Big Red Dog.
62. Esperanza - Spanish meaning “hope.” After Esperanza Cordero from The House on Mango Street.
63. Gretel - Greek/Persian/Hebrew/Irish meaning “child of light,” “pearl,” or “jewel.” From Hansel and Gretel.
64. Harriet - French meaning “ruler of the household.” French From Harriet The Spy.
65. Heidi - German meaning “noble and serene.” From the book of the same name.
66. Hermione - Greek meaning “earthy.” Inspired by Hermione Granger from Harry Potter.
67. Judy - Hebrew meaning “praised.” After author Judy Blume.
68. Juliet - French meaning “youthful.” From Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet.
69. Katniss - Greek meaning “aquatic plant.” Inspired by The Hunger Games.

Girl Names Inspired by Children's Books that Start with L to Z

70. Laura - Latin meaning “laurel leaves,” “honor,” “fame,” and “spirit.” After Laura Ingalls Wilder, author of Little House on the Prairie and character from the book series.
71. Lucy - Latin meaning “riches” or “light.” From The Lion, The Witch, And the Wardrobe.
72. Luna - Latin for “moon.” After Luna Lovegood from Harry Potter.
73. Lisa - Hebrew meaning “consecrated to God,” or "Greek meaning “honeybee.” Inspired by the little girl in Corduroy.
74. Louisa - German meaning “fights with honor” or Spanish meaning “warrior.” After Louisa May Alcott, author of Little Women.
75. Madeline - English meaning high “tower” or Hebrew meaning “Woman from Magdala.” From the book series of the same name.
76. Margaret - German/Gaelic/Scottish/Hebrew meaning “little pearl.” Inspired by Meg from Little Women.
77. Marilla - Hebrew meaning “bitter” or “rebellion.” From Anne of Green Gables.
78. Matilda - German meaning “battle maiden” or “strength.” Inspired by the Roald Dahl book of the same name.
79. Margery - Greek meaning “child of light,” “pearl,” or “jewel.” After Margery Williams, author of The Velveteen Rabbit.
80. Mary - Hebrew/Italian/French meaning “bitter” or “beautiful.” After Mary Lennox from The Secret Garden.
81. May Belle - French meaning “my beautiful one.” From Bridge to Terabithia.
82. Nancy - Greek meaning “pure” or Hebrew for “full of Grace.” Inspired by the Nancy Drew series.
83. Nellie - Latin meaning “horn,” English meaning “by the adler tree,” or Irish meaning “champion.” After Nellie Oleson in Little House on the Prairie.
84. Opal - Sanskrit meaning “jewel.” Inspired by Because of Winn Dixie.
85. Pippi - Scandinavian meaning “lover of horses.” After Pippi Longstocking.
86. Rachel - Hebrew meaning “little lamb,” “ewe,” or “one with purity.” After Rachel Lynde of Anne of Green Gables.
87. Ramona - Inspired by Ramona Quimby.
88. Rose - Latin meaning “flower.” After Rose Red from the fairytale Snow-White and Rose-Red.
89. Sally - Spanish meaning “saviour.” Inspired by The Cat in The Hat.
90. Sara - Hebrew meaning “princess” or “lady.” From A Little Princess.
91. Winnie - English meaning “friend of peace” or “fair.” After Winnie The Pooh.
92. Winifred - German meaning “peace.” After the princess in The Princess and the Pea.
93. Wendy - German meaning “wanderer” or English meaning “fair.” From Peter and Wendy.

Baby Gender Neutral Names Inspired By Children’s Books

These unisex literary monikers all have a rich background.

94. Charlie - Italian meaning “valiant,” “strong,” or “free.” Inspired by Charlie Brown from the Peanuts books or Charlie from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.
95. Frances - Old French meaning “free.” After Frances Hodgson Burnett, author of A Little Princess.
96. Jesse - Hebrew meaning “God’s gift.” From Bridge to Terabithia.
97. Jo - Hebrew meaning “he shall increase” or Greek for “violet flower.” From Little Women.
98. Kiki - Spanish meaning “ruler of the household.” From The House on Mango Street.
99. Leslie - Scottish meaning “gray fortress” or “small meadow.” After Leslie Burke from Bridge to Terabithia.
100. Mo - French meaning “dark” or Irish meaning “bitter.” After author Mo Willems.
101. Scout - French meaning “watchman.” From To Kill A Mockingbird.
102. Rory - German, Scottish, and Irish meaning “famous ruler.” From Black Beauty.

For more baby name inspiration check out these popular baby name lists:

• Top 1000 Most Popular Baby Girl Names in the U.S.
• Top 1000 Most Popular Baby Boy Names in the U.S.
• The 100 Coolest Baby Names in the World

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