Great Authors, Great Names
by Ruth Fitzpatrick
Whether you're a literature lover, whether you want to give your little boy or girl an aspirational name, or just on the lookout for a more unusual name, names from the great works of fiction – and those who wrote them – can be a massive source of inspiration. We've been scouring through our bookshelves all weekend, and come up with these names any little book lover in the making can be proud of.
Oscar One of the sweetest and softest of the names until recently labeled "old-fashioned". It has both English and Irish origins and means 'God spear' and 'deer-lover, champion-warrior' respectively. The great 19th century wit, novelist and playwright, Oscar Wilde, wrote a number of children's stories which are loved to this day, including The Happy Prince and The Canterville Ghost.
Maya A short, sweet name, packed full of mythological and social significance. It has immense cross-cultural potential: it has separately Greek, Amerindian, Sanskrit, Spanish, Latin, Maori and Hebrew origins, and has the various meanings of 'water', 'illusion', 'palm tree' and 'mother'. From a US history and literature perspective, it's the name of one of the greatest American poets, Maya Angelou, who was also a highly regarded and influential civil rights activist and feminist.
Scott From one American great to another: F. Scott Fitzgerald is best known for his exploration into decadence and idealism in 1920s America in The Great Gatsby. As a name, Scott is nowhere near as popular as it once was, but it has ever entirely disappeared either: last year it was listed within the top 500.
Virginia With a slight Southern Belle appeal and luxuriant, luscious sound, Virginia has been a much neglected name in recent times. One of its most distinguished namesakes has to be hugely influential English novelist and essayist, Virginia Woolf. Another possible choice for a feminist in the making.
Nathanial A dignified and distinguished name for your little boy, with the weight significance of sharing the name with the 19th century America>n great, Nathanial Hawthorne. Nathanial is a biblical name meaning 'gift of God' in Hebrew.
Harper Currently a super popular name here in the States: first entering the SSA's top 1000 in 2004, last year it was the 10th most popular for newborn girls up and down the country. It has a tomboyish feel, though it maintains an elegance and class. It has literary pedigree too, with Harper Lee – the author of one of America's most loved books, To Kill a Mockingbird – sharing the name.
Beckett Strong, attractive and brick, Beckett is an English name experiencing somewhat of a minor run of popularity in America over recent years. It means 'bee cottage', but would be most readily associated with the Irish author of mildly to hugely incomprehensible works such as Murphy and Waiting for Godot.
Shelley A unisex name, with unisex namesakes. The major romantic poet, Percy Shelley is the first, but his poetic name might prove too much so for prospective parents of little boys. For girls, though, Shelley's second wife and literary megastar in her own right, Mary Shelley, might provide inspiration. She's most famous for penning the gothic horror, Frankenstein.
Lawrence D.H. Lawrence was one of the most significant English writers and cultural critics of the early 20th century, writing such influential novels as Sons and Lovers and Lady Chatterley's Lover. A name which hasn't been popular for quite some time, it and the variant Laurence do occasion pop their heads into the top 500 lists. Theoretically unisex, we prefer Lori for girls.
Joyce Traditionally a boy's name, Joyce is now almost exclusively used as a girl's name, though that too is slipping in popularity. Parent's might prefer the more upfront and buoyant Joy, but there's definitely a lot to be said for ringing back Joyce! For literary connections, look no further than Irish literary genius, James Joyce. A number of his works frequently top the lists of the greatest works of fiction ever, though his book, Ulysses, also tops the list of most abandoned book among bemused and confounded readers. Other Joycean inspired names included Leo, Molly and Milly, all of which have a more modern appeal to Joyce.
