19 Literary Girl Names From The Books Your Mom Read To You

Lucy is in a ton of books, but I especially love it for fans of The Chronicles of Narnia series. Lucy Pevensie is the youngest of the four siblings and probably the one who believes in Narnia and its magic the most. She’s brave, she’s kind, and she makes you want to go out in the world and make things happen. Plus, the name Lucy means “light” or “light bringer.”

I can’t remember the first time I read Charlotte’s Web (or the first time I had it read to me), but I do remember how much I wanted to be like Fern. Fern had her opinions and thoughts and wasn’t afraid to share them, even if it meant going against adults. Fern is such a whimsical name, too, with a strong nature connection.

Jo March is an iconic literary character for a reason, and I think her personality and strength and love for her family is plenty of reason to name a baby Josephine (which means “God will add”). Call her Jo like in Little Women or keep the traditional name her full name forever, but she’s bound to do a “great many things” with this name.

I read Because of Winn-Dixie out loud to my girls a couple of summers ago, and the character (and name) of Opal stuck with all of us for a long time. Such grit and courage, and it makes sense since the name comes from the actual opal gemstone.

Harry Potter has a million great characters to name your little girl after, but I really love Luna Lovegood. Luna is a supremely popular name right now, but if you like the witchy, celestial vibes, it’s a great choice.

“The smallest one was Madeline.” Madeline has been an icon forever, and her adventurous spirit is worth naming a million girls after. The name Madeline means “tower” or “from Magdala” as well, and it definitely has Parisian vibes. If it’s been a while since you read the Madeline books, revisit them.

Beatrix Potter does whimsical and cozy better than anyone, and I especially love Jemima Puddle-Duck. Jemima may be naive, but she’s also sweet and innocent and wants to be independent, and her story gives a very cautionary tale. Jemima also means “dove” or “day to day.”

There is just something about being read the Nancy Drew series. I loved when my mom read mysteries to me, and a whole series of a girl who always manages to figure it out? That was enough to make me feel brave and strong, too. Nancy also means “grace, favored, pure.”

I stand by The Witches’ Supermarket being one of the best books of all time, and it’s due in large part to the character of Helen, who knows exactly who she is. This book was a staple of my childhood, and if I had another daughter, Helen would be on the list. The name Helen also means “torch, light.”

I think every one of us had the Little House on the Prairie series read out loud to us, and while there are tons of girl names in the books, I think Ma Ingalls — Caroline — deserves an homage. It takes a lot of work to keep the home fires burning and remain a positive, warm light for your family, and nobody does it like Caroline. The name Caroline means “free woman.”

The Boxcar Children is a classic series, and out of the four siblings, I always adored Violet the most. Shy, extremely caring, and a little sensitive, I related to her deeply and wanted to be just like her. She’s a good one to emulate, and the name Violet obviously has ties to the color.

She’s cunning, she’s clever, she’s a bit naughty... Eloise from the Eloise at the Plaza books has always been that girl. Her name even means “famous warrior,” which is extremely fitting.

The Herdman children in The Best Christmas Pageant Ever may smoke cigars and steal and pinch each other, but reading about Imogene as Mary, the mother of Jesus, will never not make me cry. Imogene is one of those old-lady names that deserves a second chance (like the character!), and it means “maiden” or “beloved child.”

Beverly Cleary’s Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret is a complete masterpiece for those going through puberty, and I think the character of Margaret deserves a baby named after her. Margaret has so many great nicknames, too, and means “pearl.”

I mean, you knew Elizabeth Bennet of Pride and Prejudice would be on this list, right? Think of all the nicknames you can do with this traditional moniker, and it just doesn’t get much more literary than Jane Austen. Elizabeth also means “God’s promise.”

Few books made me feel like I could get through tough times like my mom reading me A Little Princess. Sara may be the original “change your mindset” girlie, and I love that for all of us. This name is super traditional, too, and I love it without the “h” at the end. Sara even means “princess.”

OK, maybe after Sara, Matilda from the Roald Dahl classic Matilda is the queen of Make-The-Most-Out-Of-It. She never gives up, loves deeply, and has an extreme thirst for knowledge — I love that being part of a little girl’s personality. Matilda means “mighty in battle,” too.

In A Christmas Carol, Ebenezer Scrooge gets a whole lot of coddling and enabling from those around him... except his former wife-to-be, Belle. She calls him out immediately once his demeanor changes, and she doesn’t stick around to be heartbroken over and over by him. Power to Belle. The name means “beautiful,” too, thanks to its French origins.

From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler is one of those books that sticks with you forever, and so does the character Claudia. She’s a leader, but not a bulldozing kind, and takes others’ opinions and thoughts into consideration, too. The name Claudia means “enclosure.”