Names That Leap Off The Page
Some stories stay with us forever. What better way to honor your favorite fictional characters and (hopefully) instill a lifelong love of reading in your daughter than to give her a literary name? The names on this list come from some of the best-loved classics of the past few centuries, though if we've made any egregious omissions, feel free to chime in!
1. Alice
The eponymous heroine of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland became a cultural icon almost immediately after she was introduced. Courteous, trustful, and wildly curious, Alice's sense of order is immediately challenged by the topsy-turvy world of wonderland. We can only hope that any child with this name will be as imaginative.
2. Anne
The beloved redheaded heroine of Anne of Green Gables is one of Canada's biggest cultural exports. Anne Shirley is passionate and imaginative, seeing beauty where others cannot. Her bright spirit eventually changes Green Gables for the better.
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3. Antonia
One of the deeper cuts on this list, Antonia Shimerda gives her name to Willa Cather's great novel of the American Midwest. Life on the prairie is difficult, yet, Antonia makes the most of her circumstances, developing into an independent and optimistic woman. She may not be the narrator of My Antonia, but she is definitely the most vibrant and recognizable character in the novel.
4. Beatrice
Many of Shakespeare's heroines meet unfortunate ends, but not Beatrice of Much Ado About Nothing. In contrast to her sweet and gentle cousin, Beatrice is fiercely independent, cynical, and sharp. A proto-feminist character, Beatrice refuses to give up her liberty for any man.
5. Cassandra
Cassandra Mortmain of I Capture the Castle lives in a decaying castle with her eccentric family, but don't mistake the setting for anywhere close to the Middle Ages. The Mortmains live in genteel poverty during the Depression, selling furniture to buy food. In her diary, Cassandra captures all the eccentricities of her situation, along with the thrill of first love.
6. Cathy
Wild and willful Cathy Earnshaw may not be the best role model for young girls, but the characters of Wuthering Heights are beloved in part for their flaws. After her passing in the first part of the novel, Cathy gives her name to a daughter who shares her strong will and finally manages to overcome the cycle of abuse. Plus, she inspired a great Kate Bush song!
7. Celie
Born into a poor and abusive family in the Jim Crow south, Celie's journey in The Color Purple is one of self-actualization. Despite the lousy hand life dealt her, Celie grows from a put-upon girl into an independent woman. Her journey towards self-worth is one of the most touching in all of literature.
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8. Dorothy
Bright and peppy Dorothy Gale doesn't seem to fit in sober, sepia Kansas. So, it comes as no surprise when she's whisked off to the wonderful world of Oz. Dorothy is calm and fearless, approaching wicked witches and flying monkeys with a cool head.
9. Elizabeth
Elizabeth Bennet of Pride and Prejudice needs no introduction. Energetic, intelligent, and free-thinking, Lizzy blazes her in path in Regency England, refusing to enter a loveless marriage or leave her sisters behind. Her love story with Mr. Darcy is one of the most iconic in all of literature.
10. Eloise
Six-year-old Eloise is, frankly, living the dream: residing on the tip-top floor of the Plaza hotel with her trusted nanny (played by none other than Julie Andrews in the films)! Leaving a trail of mischief everywhere she goes, Eloise is an adorable menace.
11. Francie
A Tree Grows in Brooklyn traces Francie Nolan's development from 11 to 17, growing alongside the tight-knit and impoverished immigrant communities of early 20th century Brooklyn. Francie constantly strives to improve herself, not only financially, but intellectually and emotionally. Her story was so beloved that it was relased in a special Armed Services Editions for American GIs.
12. Helen
Another deep cut—suiting Anne Brontë's often overlooked status—The Tenant of Wildfell Hall is considered one of the first feminist novels. Helen Graham is intially shrouded in mystery, however, the reader learns that she and her child have escaped an abusive husband. Such behavior is almost as radical today as it was when it was published.
13. Jane
"I am no bird; and no net ensnares me; I am a free human being with an independent will," says the titular heroine of Jane Eyre. In contrast to the rich and glamorous heroines of the 19th century, Jane is plain and poor. And yet, Jane finds kindred spirits, as well as herself.
14. Josephine
It was difficult, choosing just one of Louisa May Alcott's Little Women for this list, but Jo March is the main protagonist. Brash and boyish Jo aspires to be a great writer, eventually achieving her drams. If your loyalties lie with another sister, feel free to substitue in Meg, Beth, or Amy.
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15. Lucy
The youngest and most sensitive of the Pevensie children, Lucy is the first of her siblings to step through the wardrobe into Narnia. Lucy's youth may make her naïve, but she also displays great kindness and empathy to fantasy creatures great and small. As queen, she is known as Lucy the Valiant.
16. Madeline
In an old house in Paris that was covered in vines, came one of the 20th century's most beloved children's characters: Madeline. Seven-year-old Madeline's boarding school adventures are told in rhyming couplets with beautiful illustrations.Though Madeline is the smallest of her classmates, she is also the bravest and most daring.
17. Mina
Mina Murray ultimately provides the key to destroying Dracula in Bram Stoker's 1897 novel. Mina is intelligent and practical, but in now way cold. In fact, Mina's devotion to her friends is one of the most touching aspects of the novel, inspiring the Crew of Light to take down the vampire once and for all.
18. Sara
Every little girl is a princess to her parents, but Sara Crewe of A Little Princess may just take the cake. Derisively called a "princess" for her wealth and manners, Sara never lets something like social status get in the way of friendship. A vivid storyteller and generous soul, Sara treats everyone with kindness and goes out of her way to befriend underdogs.
19. Scout
Scout Finch's tomboyish wars stand in stark contrast to her prim and proper southern town in To Kill a Mockingbird. Scout may be best remembered as a tree-climbing, overall-wearing rascal, but we think her tolerance and optimism deserve more credit. Of course, if you want to be pedantic, you could name your daughter Jean Louise, but she'll always be Scot to us.
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20. Wendy
Despite the story being called Peter Pan, Wendy is the most developed character. Wendy starts the story eager to stay young forever, but eventually understands that growing up is inevitably, and learns to accept her maturity. Fun fact: Wendy was an unpopular name prior to the character's creation!
