20 Baby Girl Names Inspired by Beloved Literary Characters

Heroines we love and the meaning behind their names.

By: Alexa Lisitza

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Leading Characters to Name Your Daughter After

If you're looking for the perfect name for your future daughter, consider these leading ladies who stole our hearts and had our fingers turning pages.

Elizabeth

Elizabeth Bennet, Pride and Prejudice

Meaning: My God is an oath; pledged to God

Elizabeth is known for her strong-headed nature. She’s not interested in marrying for the sake of titles in her 1800s life and values family above all. As the protagonist of Pride and Prejudice, readers see the dynamics of womanhood through Elizabeth’s eyes and admire her forthrightness.

Scarlett

Scarlett O’Hara, Gone with the Wind

Meaning: Red; one who wears or sells scarlet cloth

Scarlett O’Hara is a vision of beauty. The character balances her femininity with a striking cunningness that leads her through the story. Visions of red perfect match both her name and sly personality.

Brienne

Brienne of Tarth, Game of Thrones

Meaning: Strong and honorable

Though she was born as a Lady of Tarth, Brienne throws dresses and expectations of marrying a Lord to the side. Instead, she dons armor and rises through the ranks of battle to become the first woman ever knighted in the Game of Thrones world.

Anne

Anne Shirley, Anne of Green Gables

Meaning: Grace, gracious or mercy

Anne of Green Gables is a story that has worked its way into the hearts of many as readers followed Anne from childhood to adulthood. The red-haired girl is adventurous, boisterous and the perfect example of a young woman who grows into her own.

Janie

Janie Starks, Their Eyes Were Watching God

Meaning: Gift from God

Janie faces multiple trials in life but rises to every occasion and pushes forward. Janie, like her author, chooses to let go of strict roles placed on women during her time and makes the conscious decision to do as she pleases and be happy instead.

Natasha

Natasha Rostova, War and Peace

Meaning: Born on Christmas day

Natasha has a gift of charming anyone she comes in contact with. Her naturally light-filled personality draws everyone to her, and she becomes an inspiration to others.

Daisy

Daisy Buchanan, The Great Gatsby

Meaning: Flower; day’s eye

Daisy has a voice made of money. She comes from old money and wants for nothing. There is an underlying sadness in Daisy that makes her complex because she endures a lot to remain comfortable.

Luna

Luna Lovegood, The Harry Potter Series

Meaning: The moon; the moon goddess

The lovely Luna Lovegood has lost many people who are close to her but remains one of the most positive characters in the Harry Potter series. Though she’s a little eccentric, Luna is fiercely loyal to her friends.

Bella

Bella Swan, The Twilight Series

Meaning: Beautiful

Bella is an ordinary girl whose life is transformed after moving to Washington. She is described by other characters as being very beautiful and proves to be selfless in nature.

Jane

Jane Eyre, Jane Eyre

Meaning: God is gracious

Despite being described as plain, Jane has an overwhelming capability to assert herself and keep hold of her autonomy in a world run by men. She is incredibly smart and honest.

Phoebe

Phoebe Caulfield, The Catcher in the Rye

Meaning: Bright and shining

Phoebe is Holden Caufield’s little sister who he hopes never gets off the metaphorical carousel of youth. She represents purity, innocence, joy and the realities of aging being inevitable.

Lucy

Lucy Pevensie, The Chronicles of Narnia

Meaning: Light

Lucy is the youngest of the Pevensie kids and was crowned as a co-ruler with her siblings. She is sweet, imaginative and the hardest believer in the powers of Narnia.

Sofia

The Color Purple

Meaning: Wisdom

Unlike many other characters in The Color Purple, Sofia refuses to let the men in her life control her. She defies both her husband and father when they mistreat her and, as an added bonus, was played by thee Oprah Winfrey in the movie.

Allie

Allie Hamilton, The Notebook

Meaning: Of the nobility

Allie starts off as a young girl who falls uncontrollably in love with a boy and, when parted, grows into her own person outside of him. She becomes a war nurse and learns that she does not need her parents’ money to have a happy life.

Charlotte

Charlotte’s Web

Meaning: Tiny and feminine

Charlotte is the loyal spider who sacrifices herself to save her friends. She is kind, honest and incredibly hardworking. Though Wilbur takes over the narrative, this little insect is the true hero of the story.

Estella

Estella Havisham, Great Expectations

Meaning: Star

Estella was raised by Miss Havisham and melded into a powerhouse of a woman. Though her intentions may not always be good, Estella’s commanding presence is undeniable.

Hazel

Hazel Grace Lancaster, The Fault in Our Stars

Meaning: The hazelnut tree or the color

Hazel Grace Lancaster is, in essence, a survivor. She survived cancer, continues to battle being a strong-headed woman in a weaker body and becomes inspirational because of her active decision to be happy – which is simpler said than done.

Rosaline

Rosaline, Romeo and Juliet

Meaning: Lovely rose

Not much is known about Rosaline outside of her uncanny ability to seize the heart of Romeo upon first glance. She is said to be a beauty and enchanting.

Violet

Violet Baudelaire, A Series of Unfortunate Events

Meaning: Purple

Violet is fiercely brilliant. When she pulls her hair back, her two siblings know the young girl is thinking up a new invention. She’s a science and engineering icon who encourages young girls to try their hand in the STEM field.

Alice

Alice, Alice in Wonderland

Meaning: Noble

Alice is a curious young girl whose undeniable sense of justice consistently shines throughout the narrative. The nobility behind her name is a virtue that directly aligns with Alice’s character.

Check out our top 20 book-inspired boy names.