If you’re looking for a unique baby name that still has history and meaning behind it, look no further than a Shakespearean name. These names were pulled straight from the works of William Shakespeare, and each one is beautifully unique.
Whether you’re looking for a name for your son or daughter, there’s definitely something here for everyone. So without further ado, let’s get started!
Shakespeare Girl Names
Here are Shakespeare baby names for girls that are sure to make a statement:
Adriana
Meaning “dark” or “rich” or man from Hadria in North Italy.
Variations: Adrian, Adrienne
Play: The Comedy of Errors
Adriana is the wife of Antipholus of Syracuse and mother to his son. She is a loyal and loving wife but is constantly worried about her husband’s whereabouts. See meaning of the name Adriana
Bianca
Meaning “white” or “fair”
Variations: B
Play: Taming of the Shrew
Bianca Minola is the younger daughter of Baptista and the sister of ‘the shrew’, Kate, who is not allowed to get married until Kate does. See Names that go with Bianca
Beatrice
Meaning “blessed”
Variations: Beatrix, Bea
Play: Much Ado About Nothing
Beatrice is the niece of Leonato and cousin of Hero. She is witty and sharp-tongued, often engaging in verbal battles with Benedick.
Celia
Meaning “heavenly”
Variations: Caelia, Celie
Play: As You Like It
Celia is the daughter of Sir Rowland de Bois and best friend of Rosalind. She accompanies Rosalind into exile and eventually marries her cousin Oliver. See meaning of the name Celia
Cleopatra
Meaning “glory of the father”
Variations: Cleo, Clio
Play: Antony and Cleopatra
The last reigning pharaoh of Egypt, Cleopatra is one of the most famous women in history. She was the lover of Julius Caesar and later Mark Antony.
Cordelia
Meaning “heart” or “daughter of the sea”
Variations: Cordelia, Kordelia, Delia
Play: King Lear
Cordelia was the youngest and most loyal daughter of King Lear. Cordelia was the youngest and most loyal daughter of King Lear who refused to flatter her father as her sisters did. See Names that go with Cordelia
Cressida
Meaning “golden”
Variations: Cressa, Cresta
Play: Troilus and Cressida
The daughter of Calchas, a Trojan priest, Cressida is promised to Troilus but goes back on her word and betrays him for the Greek warrior Diomedes.
Desdemona
Meaning “ill-fated”
Variations: Desi, Dessa
Play: Othello
Desdemona is the beautiful and innocent wife of Othello. She is loyal and true to him, but her husband eventually suspects her of infidelity and strangles her in a fit of jealousy.
Diana
Meaning “divine” or “heavenly”
Variations: Dianna, Diane
Play: All’s Well That Ends Well
The daughter of the Countess of Rossillion, Diana is a beautiful and noble woman. She is in love with Bertram but he does not reciprocate her feelings. See names like Diana
Dolabella
Meaning “gift of God”
Variations: Dol, Dolly
Play: Antony and Cleopatra
Dolabella is a Roman general and friend of Antony. He is betrothed to Octavia but eventually marries Cleopatra.
Eleanor
Meaning “light”
Variations: Elinor, Ella, Ellie
Play: Henry VI, Part III, King John
Eleanor is the wife of Henry VI and mother to Edward, Prince of Wales. She is a strong and capable woman who is protective of her family. See names like Eleanor
Elizabeth
Meaning “my God is bountiful” or “God’s promise”
Variations: Beth, Betsy, Bess, Bessie
Play: Henry VIII, 3 Henry VI/Richard III
Elizabeth is the daughter of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn. She becomes queen after her half-sister Mary I dies. See Middle names that go with Elizabeth
Emilia
Meaning “rival”
Variations: Emilie, Emily
Play: Othello
Emilia is the wife of Iago and Desdemona’s maid. She is a loyal friend to both her husband and mistress but ultimately betrays them. See names like Emilia
Gertrude
Meaning “spear of strength”
Variations: Gerty, Trudy
Play: Hamlet
The mother of Hamlet and wife of Claudius. Gertrude is unaware of her husband’s treachery until it is too late.
Goneril
Meaning “honor”
Variations: Gonaril, Gonerilla
Play: King Lear
Goneril is the eldest daughter of King Lear and his wife. She is married to the Duke of Albany and has two children with him.
Helena
Meaning “light” or “torch”
Variations: Helene, Hella, Lena
Play: A Midsummer Night’s Dream
Helena is one of the four young lovers who get caught up in the games of the fairies. She is in love with Demetrius, who does not return her affections. See names like Helena
Hermia
Meaning “earthy”
Variations: Herm, Hermes
Play: A Midsummer Night’s Dream
Hermia is one of the four young lovers who gets caught up in the games of the fairies. She is betrothed to Demetrius but is in love with Lysander.
Hermione
Meaning “earthy” or “of the earth”
Variations: Hermie, Hermy
Play: The Winter’s Tale
The queen of Sicily and wife of Leontes, Hermione is falsely accused by her husband of adultery and has their newborn daughter taken away from her. She is sentenced to death but eventually reunited with her family.
Imogen
Meaning “beloved child”
Variations: Imogene, Imy
Play: Cymbeline
The beautiful daughter of Cymbeline and queen of Britain, Imogen is wed to Posthumus. Posthumus banishes her when he believes she has been unfaithful.
Isabella
Meaning “devoted to God”
Variations: Isabel, Isobel, Izabella
Play: Measure for Measure
The virtuous and chaste Isabella is a novice nun who is asked by her brother to plead with the Duke for his life. See meaning of the name Isabella
Jessica
Meaning “rich”
Variations: Jess, Jessie
Play: The Merchant of Venice
Jessica is the daughter of the Jewish moneylender Shylock. She elopes with Lorenzo and converts to Christianity. See Names that go with Jessica
Juliet
Meaning “youthful” or “Jove’s child”
Variations: Jule, Julie
Play: Romeo and Juliet
The only child of the Capulet family, she falls in love with Romeo Montague, a member of the rival house. their forbidden love ends in tragedy. See names like Juliette
Katherina
Meaning “pure”
Variations: Katherine, Kate, Katie
Play: The Taming of the Shrew
The eldest daughter of Baptista Minola, Katherina is known as ‘the shrew’ for her sharp tongue and bad temper. She is eventually tamed by Petruchio.
Lavinia
Meaning “purifier”
Variations: Lavina, Lavinie
Play: Titus Andronicus
Lavinia is the daughter of Titus Andronicus. She is raped and mutilated by Tamora’s sons and eventually takes her own life.
Lucetta
Meaning “light” or “brilliant”
Variations: Lucette, Lucetta
Play: The Two Gentlemen of Verona
Lucetta is Silvia’s waiting-gentlewoman and confidante. She is in love with Proteus but he does not return her affections.
Luciana
Meaning “light”
Variations: Lucian, Luciano
Play: The Comedy of Errors
Luciana is the sister of Adriana and wife of the merchant Angelo. She is a kind and caring woman who helps her husband in his business. See meaning of the name Luciana
Margaret
Meaning “pearl”
Variations: Maggie, Margot, Peggy
Play: Henry VI Part III
A Lancastrian and supporter of Henry VI, Margaret is the wife of Suffolk. After her husband’s death, she marries Sir Richard Plantagenet. See names like Margaret
Miranda
Meaning “admirable” or “wonderful”
Variations: Mirenda, Mira
Play: The Tempest
The daughter of the sorcerer Prospero, Miranda is the only female character on the island. She falls in love with Ferdinand, the son of Alonso. See meaning of the name Miranda
Octavia
Meaning “eighth”
Variations: Octavie,Octavia
Play: Antony and Cleopatra
Octavia is the sister of Augustus Caesar and wife of Mark Antony. She is a loyal and supportive wife but is ultimately betrayed by her husband. See Names that go with Octavia
Ophelia
Meaning “help”
Variations: Ofelia, Ophilia, Ophelie
Play: Hamlet
Hamlet’s love interest and daughter of Polonius. Ophelia appears to have been in love with Hamlet, but her father and brother persuaded her to think otherwise. See Names that go with Ophelia
Perdita
Meaning “lost”
Variations: Perdy, Perta
Play: The Winter’s Tale
Perdita is the daughter of Leontes and Hermione. She is abandoned as a baby and raised by shepherds. When she is sixteen, she meets Prince Florizel and they fall in love.
Phebe
Meaning “pure” or “bright”
Variations: Pheebs, Phoebe
Play: As You Like It
A young shepherdess who falls in love with the disguised Rosalind, Phebe is initially uninterested in Silvius’s affections. However, she eventually agrees to marry him.
Portia
Meaning “pig” or “gatekeeper”
Variations: Portia, Porcia
Play: The Merchant of Venice
Portia is the beautiful and rich heiress of Belmont. She is bound by her father’s will to marry a man who chooses correctly from three caskets, one of which contains her portrait.
Regan
Meaning “regal” or “queenly”
Variations: Regana, Regina
Play: King Lear
Regan is the second daughter of King Lear and his wife. She is married to the Duke of Cornwall and has two children with him.
Rosalind
Meaning “pretty rose” or “gentle horse”
Variations: Roz, Rosaline
Play: As You Like It
Rosalind is the daughter of the exiled Duke Senior and niece of Frederick. When her father is banished, she disguises herself as a man named Ganymede and goes into exile in the Forest of Arden.
Silvia
Meaning “from the forest”
Variations: Sylvia, Silvie
Play: Two Gentlemen of Verona
The daughter of Sir Thurio, Silvia is a beautiful and wealthy woman who is pursued by two men – Valentine and Proteus. She ultimately chooses Valentine.
Tamora
Meaning “date palm”
Variations: Tamar, Tamara
Play: Titus Andronicus
Tamora is the Queen of the Goths and wife of the Emperor Saturninus. She is a cruel and ruthless woman who takes revenge on Titus Andronicus for the death of her sons.
Ursula
Meaning “little bear”
Variations: Ursa, Ursalie
Play: Much Ado About Nothing
Ursula is one of Hero’s gentlewomen. She is a loyal friend to her mistress and helps to foil the plans of Don John.
Viola
Meaning “violet”
Variations: Vi, Vyola
Play: Twelfth Night
Orphaned Viola washes up on the shore of Illyria and, believing her brother to be dead, disguises herself as a man named Cesario.
Zara
Meaning “princess” or “light”
Variations: Zarah, Zahra
Play: Othello
The daughter of the Duke of Venice, Zara is a beautiful and noble Venetian lady. She is betrothed to the Moorish general Othello but is ultimately rejected by him. See meaning of the name Zara
Shakespeare Boy Names
Benedick
Meaning “blessed”
Variations: Benedict, Benedetto
Play: Much Ado About Nothing
Benedick is a lord from Messina. He is in love with Beatrice but refuses to marry her. However, he eventually changes his mind and the two are wed.
Claudio
Meaning “lame”
Variations: Claud, Claude
Play: Much Ado About Nothing
Claudio is a young lord from Florence. He falls in love with Hero and becomes engaged to her. However, he is tricked by Don John into believing that she has been unfaithful and breaks off the engagement.
Duncan
Meaning “dark warrior”
Variations: Dunkan, Duncken
Play: Macbeth
Duncan is the King of Scotland. He is betrayed and killed by his thane, Macbeth, who then takes the throne for himself.
Ferdinand
Meaning “ardent for peace”
Variations: N/A
Play: The Tempest
Ferdinand is the son of Alonso and the heir to the throne of Naples. He falls in love with Miranda and the two are married. However, he is eventually reconciled with his father and returns to Naples.
Henry
Meaning “home ruler”
Variations: Harry, Hendrick, Henri
Play: Henry IV, Part I
Henry is the Prince of Wales and the son of King Henry III. He eventually succeeds his father and becomes King Henry IV. However, he faces rebellion from his own son, Prince Hal. See names like Henry
Jack
Meaning “God is gracious”
Variations: Jackie, Jacky, Jacq
Play: Henry VI, Part 2
Jack Cade is a proletarian who leads a rebel army led. See meaning of the name Jack
Julius
Meaning “youthful”
Variations: Jules, Julius
Play: Julius Caesar
Julius is the Roman general and statesman. He is assassinated by Marcus Brutus and his co-conspirators. However, his death leads to the rise of his nephew Octavian, who becomes the first Roman Emperor. See nicknames for Julius
Malcolm
Meaning “disciple of St. Columba”
Variations: Malkolm, Malcom, Malcum
Play: Macbeth
Malcolm is the son of Duncan and the heir to the throne of Scotland. He is eventually exiled to England but returns and takes back his rightful place as king. See Middle names that go with Malcolm
Marcus
Meaning “warlike”
Variations: Marc, Mark
Play: Julius Caesar
Marcus is the son of Brutus. He joins his father in the conspiracy to assassinate Julius Caesar. However, he eventually realizes that his father is wrong and tries to stop him. See meaning of the name Marcus
Oberon
Meaning “bearlike”
Variations: N/A
Play: A Midsummers Night’s Dream
Oberon is the King of the Fairies. He is married to Titania and the two often quarrel. However, they eventually reconcile and Oberon helps Titania find her lost son.
Orlando
Meaning “famous land”
Variations: Roland
Play: As You Like It
Orlando is the son of Sir Rowland de Bois. He falls in love with Rosalind and accompanies her into exile. He eventually marries her cousin Celia.
Paris
Meaning “wanderer”
Variations: Parrish, Parish
Play: Troilus and Cressida
Paris is the son of Priam and Hecuba, he is the brother of Troilus who falls in love with Cressida. He abducted Helen from her husband Menelaus which caused the war.
Prospero
Meaning “prosperous”
Variations: Prosper
Play: The Tempest
Prospero is the Duke of Milan. He is usurped by his brother Antonio and sent into exile with his daughter Miranda. He eventually takes revenge on his brother and regains his dukedom.
Robin
Meaning “famous, bright”
Variations: Robbin, Robinson
Play: A Midsummers Night’s Dream
Robin Goodfellow, or Puck, is a mischievous fairy who delights in playing pranks on mortals. However, he also has a serious side and is loyal to his friends.
Romeo
Meaning “pilgrim to Rome”
Variations: Rom, Romain
Play: Romeo and Juliet
Romeo is the son of Montague. He falls in love with Juliet, a Capulet, and the two are married. However, their families’ feud leads to tragedy and the two lovers die in each other’s arms. See Names that go with Romeo
The Bottom Line on The Perfect Shakespearean Name for your Little One
These are just a few of the many beautiful and unique baby names inspired by Shakespeare. So if you’re looking for something a little different, why not take a cue from the Bard? Your little one is sure to stand out from the crowd with a name like Romeo, Emilia, or Prospero. And who knows?
Shakespeares Plays
Antony and Cleopatra
As You Like It
The Comedy of Errors
Coriolanus
Cymbeline
Hamlet
Henry IV Part 1
Henry IV Part 2
Henry VIII
Henry VI Part 1
Henry VI Part 2
Henry VI Part 3
Henry V
Julius Caesar
King John
King Lear
Loves Labour’s Lost
Macbeth
Measure for Measure
The Merchant of Venice
The Merry Wives of Windsor
A Midsummer Night’s Dream
Much Ado About Nothing
Othello
Pericles
Richard II
Richard III
Romeo & Juliet
The Taming of the Shrew
The Tempest
Timon of Athens
Titus Andronicus
Troilus & Cressida
Twelfth Night
The Two Gentlemen of Verona
The Winter’s Tale
