Creating a child and bringing a person into the world is its own form of magic. The fact that two people can come together and create a brand new person is kind of nuts! We prefer to think of it as a form of magic. Mommy magic? Alas, we decided to look for baby name inspiration in whimsy and enchantment.
From novels to plays to films and TV, there’s no shortage of mystical characters who inspire us. In recent decades, fantasy franchises have exploded and become part of the cultural zeitgeist we find ourselves in. From Lord of the Rings to Harry Potter to Game of Thrones, the parameters of our reality are constantly put into question and occupy our imaginations. Holding your baby for the first time is a moment of sublime magic and we have found magical baby names to fit the occasion. Here are 25 magical baby names inspired by the surreal.
25. Cedric
Harry Potter fans know the name Cedric well. It belonged to the character, Cedric Diggory who was played by Robert Pattinson in the movie adaptation. Cedric is a Celtic name that means “bounty.” This handsome name would be perfect for your little wiz kid.
24. Ariel
The Little Mermaid is a timeless tale of an enchanted mermaid who is transformed into a human. The main character, Ariel has a gorgeous name that’s fit for an adventurous girl. The name Ariel comes from Hebrew and means “lion of God.” Rawr!
23. Hans
Danish author Hans Christian Andersen’s fables have inspired so many beloved stories including The Little Mermaid, The Princess and the Pea, and Thumbelina. Hans is a shortened form of the name Johannes and is a German name that means “God is gracious.”
22. Cassandra
In ancient Greek mythology, Cassandra was a Trojan princess bestowed with the gift of prophecy. Woo, magic! The Greek name means “prophetess” and would be a wise choice for a baby girl with keen intuition.
21. Alvin
The English name Alvin means “friend of the elves.” While the name hasn’t really taken off in the US (except for Alvin from <em>Alvin and the Chipmunks</em>) the name is widely used in Europe. The name has a magical ring to it and we think it would be a unique choice for a baby boy.
20. Calliope
The name Calliope might be familiar to you because of the character who goes by Calli on Grey’s Anatomy. However, the origins of the name can be found in ancient Greece. In mythology, Calliope was a muse who presided over epic poetry and eloquence.
19. Jareth
Where the David Bowie fans at? Jareth is a mashup name that comes from combining Jared and Gareth and famously was the name of Bowie’s character in the fantasy movie, Labyrinth. Jareth is the perfect name for your little goblin king.
18. Maia
Maia is a Greek name that means “mother.” In mythology, Maia was the fair-haired daughter of Atlas, who became the mother of Zeus’s son Hermes. In ancient Rome, Maia represented Earth’s mother and the goddess of spring.
17. Easton
Easton is an English name and its meaning is disputed. While most have landed on its definition as “east-facing place,” others think its origin is older. So old in fact, that it’s considered Old English and translates to “magical power.” While the name has been favored for boys, parents have begun naming daughters Easton as well. We think Easton works as an attractive gender-neutral baby name.
16. Astrid
Astrid is an underutilized name for girls. It’s a Scandanavian name that means “divinely beautiful” or “star.” Astrid Lindgren, creator of Pippi Longstocking famously had the name. Further, the character Astrid Farnsworth from the TV series Fringe was a fan favorite and pretty magical herself.
15. Clio
The name Clio or alternatively spelled, Cleo is Greek and means “glory.” There are several references to the name Clio in Greek mythology and one of our favorites is Clio as one of the 50 Nereids, the sea–nymph daughters of Nereus and Doris.
14. Dylan
Dylan is a Welsh name that means “son of the sea.” In Welsh mythology, Dylan was a legendary sea god who made the seas between England and Ireland cry when he died. Aside from its magical meaning, we think Dylan sounds extremely attractive.
13. Lilith
In Jewish folklore, Lilith was a female demon and the first wife of Adam. The name Lilith means “night monster” or “ghost.” With a meaning like that, it’s no wonder the name appears over and over again in fictional works.
12. Cosmo
What’s more magical than the cosmos? Cosmo is a Greek name that means “order” or “beauty.” While it’s not a common name for boys, we think it should be. If you’re looking for a name as enchanted as the night sky, Cosmo would be an excellent choice.
11. Gwendolyn
The sorcerer Merlin of Arthurian legend was named Gwendolyn. It’s an absolutely stunning name! Gwendolyn is Welsh and means “white ring.” The name is gaining traction again after falling from fashion in the 1970s. We’re here for it.
RELATED: 25 Mythological Baby Names For Your Legendary Baby
10. Merlin
While we’re talking about Gwendolyn and other characters from Arthurian legend, we can’t forget good ol’ Merlin. Merlin, of course, is the name of the character, a wizard, who engineers the birth of King Arthur. The name means “sea fortress.”
9. Elysia
Elysia is a Latin name that means “from Elysium.” Elysium was considered a home of the blessed after death, the final resting place of the souls of the heroic and the pure. Essentially, this magical name means “from paradise.”
8. Neville
While probably most associated with Harry Potter’s Neville Longbottom, the name Neville is a French name that means “from the new village.” Neville might give you wizarding vibes, but it’s a handsome name that we’d love to hear used more often.
7. Alice
Lewis Carrol’s beloved story, Alice in Wonderful is chocked full of magical characters and unreal settings. Alice is a classic English name with German roots that means “of nobility.”
6. Magus
Magus is a unique Old English name that means “sorcerer.” The name for boys has taken off across Scandanavia and is widely favored by many parents. It shares the same root as the word magic, so you could really do no better in choosing this magical name.
5. Esme
The Persian name Esme has been popular for girls in France for a very long time. The name means “beloved,” “esteemed,” or “emerald.” For fans of the Twilight Saga, the name is a nod to the franchise while still standing completely on its own.
4. Oberon
Oberon is the English form of the French name Auberon. The name has several meanings including “noble,” “bearlike,” and “elf king.” The name appears in Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, where it belonged to the king of the fairies.
3. Alisa
We’re still talking about fairies folks! Alisa is a Scottish name that means “elf victory.” If you’re searching for a winning name for your daughter, Alisa has a touch of whimsy without being over-the-top.
2. Regin
A cute alternative to Regan, Regin is a Norse boy’s name that refers to a mythical blacksmith. According to old Norse legend, Regin was a mystic and blacksmith who was well-versed in the art of dark magic.
1. Circe
Circe is a Greek girl’s name that means “bird.” In ancient Greek myth, Circe was the daughter of Helios, a sun god. She was a sorceress dwelling on the island of Aeaea and was notorious for turning men into animals. Circe is pronounced sur-se and is a beautiful and unique name.
Bippity-boppity-boo! Abrakadabra! Shazam! These 25 magical baby names perfectly impart a touch of enchantment. We love these names and hope they’ve given you inspiration.
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