It is a truth universally acknowledged that what could be more perfect than naming your child after a literary icon or Jane Austen characters? If you’re looking for some inspiration, why not consider one of the many beautiful baby names inspired by Jane Austen?
We’ve gathered together some of our favorites of this icon of British Literature, from classic names like Elizabeth and Charlotte to more unique options like Elliott and Bennett. So whether you’re looking for something traditional or something a little more offbeat, we’ve got you covered with these names from the famous Austen novels!
Jane Austen Names for Girls
Abbey
Meaning: My father rejoices, or father’s joy.
Novel: Northanger Abbey
Abbey relates to the name of the book
Anne
Meaning: Grace, or favor.
Novel: Sense and Sensibility
Anne Steele is Edward Ferrars’ sister and Lucy’s older sister. See meaning of the name Anne.
Charlotte
Meaning: Free man, or from France.
Novel: Pride and Prejudice
Charlotte Lucas is a friend of Elizabeth Bennet’s who eventually marries Mr. Collins for financial necessity rather than true love. See meaning of the name Charlotte
Caroline
Meaning: Free man, or from France.
Novel: Pride and Prejudice
Caroline Bingley is a wealthy woman who is interested in marrying Mr. Darcy. See names like Caroline
Catherine
Meaning: Pure, or clear.
Novel: Pride and Prejudice
Lady Catherine de Bourgh is a wealthy, stuck-up woman in Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice. See Names that go with Catherine
Clara
Meaning: Bright and clear.
Novel: Mansfield Park
Clara Brereton is a guest at Mansfield Park. See Middle names that go with Clara
Darcy
Meaning: From the fortress.
Novel: Pride and Prejudice
Mr. Darcy is a wealthy man who is initially rude to Elizabeth Bennett but eventually falls in love with her, despite her lower social standing. See nicknames for Darcy
Elinor
Meaning: Light.
Novel: Sense and Sensibility
Elinor Dashwood is the eldest of the three Dashwood sisters, and the novel’s narrator.
Elizabeth
Meaning: My God is bountiful, or God of plenty.
Novel: Pride and Prejudice
Elizabeth Bennet is the eldest of the five Bennet sisters, and the novel’s protagonist. See names like Elizabeth
Emma
Meaning: Whole, or complete.
Novel: Emma
Emma Woodhouse is the novel’s protagonist and a wealthy young woman who likes to meddle in other people’s lives. See Middle names that go with Emma
Fanny
Meaning: Free man, or from France.
Novel: Mansfield Park
Fanny Price is the novel’s protagonist, and the poor relation of the Bertram family.
Georgiana
Meaning: Farmer.
Novel: Pride and Prejudice
Georgiana Darcy is Mr. Darcy’s younger sister.
Harriet
Meaning: Home ruler.
Novel: Emma
Harriet Smith is a young, naive woman who Emma Woodhouse takes under her wing.
Isabella
Meaning: God is my oath.
Novel: Emma
Isabella Knightley, Nee Woodhouse, is the sister of Emma father and married to Mr. Knightley’s brother John. See names like Isabella
Jane
Meaning: God is gracious.
Novel: Pride and Prejudice
Jane Bennet is the eldest of the five Bennet sisters, and the novel’s protagonist. See names like Jane
Kitty
Meaning: Pure, or clear.
Novel: Pride and Prejudice
Kitty Bennet is the fourth of the five Bennet sisters and often in the shadow of her younger sister, Lydia.
Lucy
Meaning: Light.
Novel: Sense and Sensibility
Lucy Steele is a guest at Barton Park, and secretly engaged to Edward Ferrars. See nicknames for Lucy
Lydia
Meaning: From Lydia, an ancient kingdom in Asia Minor.
Novel: Pride and Prejudice
Lydia Bennet is the youngest of the five Bennet sisters. She is flighty and impulsive, and elopes with Mr. Wickham early in the novel. See meaning of the name Lydia
Margaret
Meaning: Pearl.
Novel: Sense and Sensibility
Margaret Dashwood is the youngest of the three Dashwood sisters. See nicknames for Margaret
Maria
Meaning: Bitter, or warlike.
Novel: Mansfield Park
Maria Bertram is one of Mr. Bertram’s daughters. See meaning of the name Maria
Marianne
Meaning: Bitter, or from the sea.
Novel: Sense and Sensibility
Marianne Dashwood is the second of the three Dashwood sisters.
Mary
Meaning: Bitter, or warlike.
Novel: Pride and Prejudice
Mary Bennet is the third of the five Bennet sisters. See Middle names that go with Mary
Susan
Meaning: Lily.
Novel: Lady Susan
Lady Susan Vernon is the titular character in Austen’s novella Lady Susan. She’s a beautiful widow who’s more interested in gossip and men than she is in being a proper lady.
Jane Austen Names for Boys
Austen
Meaning: Variant of Augustine, meaning venerable or great.
Austen is a name that could work for either boys or girls, inspired by the author herself!
Bennett
Meaning: Variant of Benedict, meaning blessed.
Novel: Pride and Prejudice
Mr. Bennet is the father of five daughters, including Elizabeth and Jane. See meaning of the name Bennett
Brandon
Meaning: Raven
Novel: Sense and Sensibility
Colonel Brandon is a wealthy, middle-aged man who falls in love with Marianne Dashwood, much to her mother’s, Mrs Dashwood’s, dismay. See Names that go with Brandon
Charles
Meaning: Free man.
Novel: Pride and Prejudice
Mr. Charles Bingley is a wealthy young man who falls in love with Jane Bennet. See nicknames for Charles
Cole
Meaning: Dark-haired
Novel: Pride and Prejudice
Mr. Cole is a frequent guest at Netherfield Park and is the one who first informs Mr. Bennet of Bingley’s arrival in the neighborhood. See meaning of the name Cole
Edmund
Meaning: Wealthy protector
Novel: Mansfield Park
Edmund Bertram is the second son of Sir Thomas Bertram and Fanny Price’s love interest.
Elliott
Meaning: My God is Jehovah.
Novel: Sense and Sensibility
Elliott and Lady Elliott are friends of Robert Ferrars
Frank
Meaning: My father rejoices, or father’s joy.
Novel: Emma
Frank Churchill is a wealthy young man who is secretly engaged to Jane Fairfax. See meaning of the name Frank
George
Meaning: Farmer.
Novel: Emma
Mr. George Knightley is Emma’s brother in law and one of her closest friends, throughout the novel it becomes clear his soft spot for her is really true love. See Names that go with George
Henry
Meaning: ruler of the household.
Novel: Northanger Abbey
Henry Tilney is the wealthy and handsome young man who Catherine Morland falls in love with. See nicknames for Henry
James
Meaning: Supplanter
Novel: Northanger Abbey
James Morland is Catherine Morland’s brother and Henry Tilney’s best friend. See first name for middle name James
Philip
Meaning: Lover of horses
Novel: Emma
Mr Philip Elton is the new vicar of Highbury who Emma fails to marry off to Miss Fairfax, but he has high hopes of marrying Jane instead. See Names that go with Philip
Robert
Meaning: Bright fame
Novel: Emma
Robert Martin is a farmer who marries Harriet Smith, one of Emma’s protégés. See Middle names that go with Robert
Weston
Meaning: From the west town
Novel: Emma
Mr Weston is a middle-aged widower who marries Miss Taylor, Emma’s former governess. See names like Weston
William
Meaning: Resolute protector
Novel: Pride and Prejudice
Mr. William Collins is a distant cousin of Mr. Bennet who inherits Longbourn upon Mr. Bennet’s death. See first name for middle name William
Willoughby
Meaning: From the willow tree farm.
Novel: Sense and Sensibility
Mr. Willoughby is a young man who falls in love with Marianne Dashwood.
Take Away on Jane Austen Baby Names
We hope this list has inspired you to find the perfect name for your little one. And who knows? Maybe one day your child will grow up to be a writer just like Jane Austen!
If you’re looking for more literary inspiration, check out our list of Shakespeare baby names. And for something completely different, take a look at these Harry Potter baby names! until next time, happy naming!
