Looking for literary boy names? Check out these literary names for a baby boy from A-Z! These names are taken from some of the most famous books. They are timeless and will never go out of style. So, if you’re looking for a unique name with a lot of history behind it, check out these options!
For some of these unique literary baby names, we’ve gone for the main title character as names for boys, for more baby name inspiration we’ve chosen lesser-known characters from a famous author, just to give a unique slant!
Atticus
Meaning: Transferred use of an English surname, Atticus, meaning from Athens.
Origin: To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
Atticus Finch is the main character in Harper Lee’s classic novel, To Kill a Mockingbird. He is a lawyer who defends a black man accused of rape in the deep south during the 1930s. Even though Atticus is not a very common name, it has a lot of meaning and history behind it. See meaning of the name Atticus.
Barney
Meaning: A diminutive of Barnabas, Barney is an English form of the Greek name Barnabas which means “son of consolation”.
Origin: Barney Kiernan in James Joyce’s Ulysses
Barney Kiernan is a character in James Joyce’s classic novel, Ulysses. He is a publican in Dublin, Ireland.
Charlie
Meaning: Free man
Origin: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl
Charlie is the main character in Roald Dahl’s classic novel, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. He is a poor boy who wins a contest to visit Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory. Charlie is a unique name that has a lot of meaning and history behind it. See names like Charlie-boy.
Darcy
Meaning: Transferred use of an English surname which was derived from Norman French d’Arcy, meaning “from Arcy”.
Origin: Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
Darcy is one of the main characters in Jane Austen’s classic novel, Pride and Prejudice. He is a wealthy man who falls in love with one of the main characters, Elizabeth Bennet. See Names that go with Darcy.
Elliot
Meaning: Transferred use of an English surname which was derived from a diminutive of the personal name Elias.
Origin: Persuasion by Jane Auster.
The Elliot family in Persuasion is headed by Sir Walter Elliot who is immensely vain! See Middle names that go with Elliot.
Finn
Meaning: Variant of the Irish name Fionn, meaning fair or white.
Origin: The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain
Finn is the main character in Mark Twain’s classic novel, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. He is a young boy who runs away from home and goes on a journey down the Mississippi River. Even though Finn is not a very common name, it has a lot of meaning and history behind it. See Middle names that go with Finn.
Gatsby
Meaning: Transferred use of an English surname, Gatsby, meaning from Gaddesby.
Origin: The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
Gatsby is the main character in F. Scott Fitzgerald’s classic novel, The Great Gatsby. He is a wealthy man who throws lavish parties in an attempt to win over the love of his life, Daisy Buchanan.
Heathcliff
Meaning: Transferred use of a surname, meaning someone who lives on a patch of heathland on or near a cliff
Origin: Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë
Heathcliff was the main protagonist in Emily Brontë’s classic novel, Wuthering Heights. He was a wild and passionate man who was deeply in love with Catherine Earnshaw.
Huxley
Meaning: From a surname, which was derived from a place name meaning “Hugh’s clearing” in Old English.
Origin: Brave New World by Aldous Huxley
Huxley is the last name of the author of the classic novel. The book is set in a future world where people are born in test tubes and are raised to be part of a caste system.
Icarus
Meaning: Follower
Origin: The Myth of Icarus
Icarus is a character in the Greek myth of Icarus. He is a young boy who attempts to fly too close to the sun with wings made of feathers and wax. Even though Icarus is not a very common name, it has a lot of meaning and history behind it.
Jasper
Meaning: Treasurer (Persian Origin)
Origin: Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson
Jasper is a carriage driver. See names like Jasper.
Knightley
Meaning: Transferred use of an English surname which was derived from Old French cniht, meaning “knight”.
Origin: Emma by Jane Austen
Knightley is one of the main characters in Jane Austen’s classic novel, Emma. He is a wealthy man who owns a estate near the town of Highbury.
Lennox
Meaning: From the place with elm trees from Scottish origin
Origin: Macbeth by William Shakespeare
Lennox is a character in William Shakespeare’s classic play, Macbeth. He is one of the thanes of Scotland and is loyal to King Duncan. See Names that go with Lennox.
Montague
Meaning: Pointed mountain or hill
Origin: Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare
Montague is a surname which was derived from a French place name. It is the surname of the family of Romeo Montague, the main character in William Shakespeare’s classic play, Romeo and Juliet.
Nicholas
Meaning: Victory of the people
Origin: Nicholas Nickleby by Charles Dickens
Nicholas is the main protagonist in this third novel by Dickens. See meaning of the name Nicholas.
Orlando
Meaning: famous land
Origin: Orlando by Virginia Woolf
Orlando is the main character in Virginia Woolf’s classic novel, Orlando. He is a young man who lives for centuries and has many adventures.
Pip
Meaning: A diminutive of the given name Philip, meaning lover of horses.
Origin: Great Expectations by Charles Dickens
Pip is the main character in Charles Dickens’ novel, Great Expectations. He is a young boy who dreams of becoming a gentleman. Pip goes through a lot of hardships in his life, but he always remains optimistic. Even though Pip is not a very common name, it has a lot of meaning and history behind it.
Quinn
Meaning: wisdom
Origin: Darker than Night by John Lutz
Frank Quinn is the main character in John Lutz’s thriller, Darker than Night. He is a homicide detective who is trying to catch a serial killer who is targeting young women. Quinn is a very dedicated and intelligent detective, and he always gets his man in the end. See meaning of the name quinn-boy.
Rochester
Meaning: From the place with the wild goats
Origin: Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë
Rochester is one of the main characters in Charlotte Brontë’s classic novel, Jane Eyre. He is a wealthy man who owns a large estate called Thornfield Hall.
Shylock
Meaning: peaceful
Origin: The Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare
Shylock is a character in William Shakespeare’s play, The Merchant of Venice. He is a Jewish moneylender who agrees to lend money to Antonio on the condition that he can take a pound of Antonio’s flesh if he fails to repay the loan.
Theodore
Meaning: God’s gift
Origin: Little Women by Louise May Alcott
Theodore, nicknamed “Laurie”, is one of the main characters in Louise May Alcott’s classic novel, Little Women. He is a wealthy young man who befriends the March sisters and falls in love with Amy.
Tom
Meaning: A diminutive of the given name Thomas, meaning twin.
Origin: The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain
Tom Sawyer is the main character in Mark Twain’s classic novel, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer. He is a young boy who is always getting into trouble. However, Tom is also very adventurous and always looks on the bright side of things. Even though Tom is not a very common name, it has a lot of meaning and history behind it.
Uriah
Meaning: the Lord is my light
Origin: David Copperfield by Charles Dickens
Uriah Heep is a character in Charles Dickens’ novel, David Copperfield. He is a dishonest man who always tries to take advantage of other people. However, Uriah’s true nature is eventually revealed and he pays for his crimes. See names like Uriah.
Valmont
Meaning: valley
Origin: Les Liaisons dangereuses by Pierre Choderlos de Laclos
Le Vicomte de Valmont is a character in Pierre Choderlos de Laclos’ classic novel, Les Liaisons dangereuses. He is a womanizer who tries to seduce the virtuous Madame de Tourvel. However, Valmont’s true nature is eventually revealed and he pays for his crimes.
Watson
Meaning: son of Walter
Origin: The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes by Arthur Conan Doyle
Dr. Watson is a character in Arthur Conan Doyle’s classic detective novel, The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes. He is Sherlock Holmes’ faithful companion and sidekick. Watson is a very intelligent man, but he always defer to Holmes’ superior intellect. See meaning of the name Watson.
Xenophilius
Meaning: love of strangers
Origin: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling
Xenophilius Lovegood is a character in J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series. He is the editor of The Quibbler, a magazine that often prints outlandish stories. Xenophilius is also the father of Luna Lovegood, a close friend of Harry Potter.
Yorick
Meaning: farmer
Origin: Hamlet by William Shakespeare
Yorick is a character in William Shakespeare’s play, Hamlet. He is the dead king of Denmark who appears to Hamlet in a ghostly vision. Yorick was once a happy and carefree man, but he is now a skeleton.
Zorro
Meaning: fox
Origin: The Mark of Zorro by Johnston McCulley
Don Diego de la Vega is the main character in Johnston McCulley’s classic adventure novel, The Mark of Zorro. He is a young man who disguises himself as the masked vigilante, Zorro, in order to fight injustice in his home town of Los Angeles.
The Bottom Line of Baby Boy Names from Literature
Whether you are looking for literary boy names from Shakespeare’s twelfth night or title characters from children’s books to pay homage to your favorite authors, we’ve pulled together great A-Z baby names from literature.
We’ve picked the main character or other unique baby boy names from famous authors to give you a wide range. Literature can be anything from fairy tales to heavy novels or even lines from an Irish poet, there are literally thousands to choose from! Hopefully, our A-Z list has given you some inspiration!
If you liked this guide, check out Shakespeare Baby Names, Jane Austen Baby Names or Harry Potter Inspired Baby Names
This article was written by: Jess Davis – full-time writer, self-confessed name fanatic and the mother of 2 beautiful children.
When she’s not writing, she can be found obsessing over baby names or playing with her kids. Jess has extensive knowledge of baby names and loves helping others find the perfect name for their child.
