The Best Baby Names from Sci-Fi and Fantasy Literature
by Keith Rice
Choosing a baby name is no small task. Thankfully, inspiration abounds for the lit-minded and soon-to-be-parent. Of all the potential places that spark your page-turning fancy, the fantasy and sci-fi genres are two of the most intriguing — from the whimsical to the classic, there are science fiction and fantasy inspired names for every taste and preference. Here are eight of our favorites.
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Girls
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Hermione
She was the brightest witch of her age, an incredibly loyal friend, and cleverer than any character in the Harry Potter universe not named Dumbledore. Hermione Granger is one of J.K Rowling’s most endearing characters and she sports a fine name for any budding bibliophile. Bonus for book lovers: Hermione is also the name of the wife of King Leontes in Shakespeare’s The Winter’s Tale.
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Arya
Available from:There are a lot of great names in A Song of Ice and Fire — including Brienne, Margaery, and Lyanna — but our hearts have always been with House Stark, so Arya it is! A true Stark, Arya is determined and honorable with a fierce sense of justice. She is also inquisitive and resourceful. There’s a reason Arya Stark is a long-time favorite for fans of A Song of Ice and Fire.
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Alana
The world of Brian K. Vaughan’s and Fiona Staple’s Saga is rife with pitfalls, but perhaps none more perilous than raising a baby in the middle of an intergalactic war. Thankfully, Alana, the mother in question, is part of a long line of fierce and strong-willed female sci-fi protagonists.
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June
Available from:While Margaret Atwood may not have intended Offred’s real name to be June, there are more than a few indications throughout The Handmaid’s Tale that lend credence to this long-held fan theory. Not to mention, like the novel itself, the name “June” has a timeless quality — although a much more hopeful one than the dystopian tale.
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Boys
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Dresden
Available from:If you’re looking for something a little different, why not turn the last name of one of your fantasy/sci-fi favorites into a first name? Look no further than Storm Front protagonist and private investigator who also happens to be a wizard, Harry Dresden. Dresden certainly has an interesting ring to it after all.
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Roland
One part knight, one part old west gunslinger, The Dark Tower’s Roland Deschain is one of Stephen King’s greatest creations. Roland may be uniquely single-minded, but he eventually proves himself to also be a caring and loyal companion.
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Tyrion
Available from:Of all the extraordinary characters George R.R. Martin has created for A Song of Ice and Fire, Tyrion Lannister may be the most consistent fan favorite and with good reason. He’s a clever survivor with wit to spare as well as a sense of honor and justice that seems entirely uncommon to the Lannister clan. The fact that’s he’s wonderfully quotable is just icing. To paraphrase everyone’s favorite Lannister, “I drink milk and I need things.”
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Unisex
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Artemis
Available from:Artemis may not immediately seem like a unisex name, but two of our favorite sci-fi/fantasy characters make a pretty strong case for it. Look no further than Wade Watts rival-turned-love-interest in Ready Player One and the eponymous anti-hero boy genius of the Artemis Fowl series.
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Jamie
Available from:We could spend hours listing all the noble qualities of Jamie Fraser — he’s honorable, charming, and selfless, just to name a few. While the inspiration for this particular name may come from a particularly masculine source, Jamie is nonetheless a terrific unisex choice!
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Sam
Available from:Everyone needs a friend willing to join in their quests, no questions asked — or carry them up the side of a volcanic mountain — and Sam is that friend! Whether short for Samwise, Samuel, or Samantha, it’s hard to go wrong with this hobbit-inspired pick.
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For more SFF-inspired fun, check out Unbound Worlds!
What other science fiction and fantasy characters do you love? Share with us in the comments below!