Wes Anderson is known for his whimsical and visually stunning films, and his unique aesthetic has inspired countless fans all around the world. If you’re a fan of his movies and looking for a baby name that’s both quirky and stylish, then this list of 20 Wes Anderson-inspired baby names is sure to spark your imagination.
From Rushmore to Asteroid City, Wes Anderson’s films are full of memorable characters with distinctive names that stand out from the crowd. These names are often vintage, offbeat, and imbued with a sense of nostalgia, making them perfect for parents who want to give their children a name that’s both quirky and classic. So whether you’re a fan of The Royal Tenenbaums, Moonrise Kingdom, or any of Anderson’s other iconic films, there’s sure to be a name on this list that you should put to good use.
Discover the Most Delightful Wes Anderson-Inspired Baby Names
Wes Anderson Names for Girls
Agatha
Masterpiece, The Grand Budapest Hotel, brought us the character Agatha, played by Saoirse Ronan. Agatha is a timeless name of Greek origin that means “good woman.” The name is soaked in vintage charm as it has not been a popular choice in the US since the 1940s.
Alumna
A name belonging to Elisabeth Moss‘ character in Wes Anderson’s The French Dispatch, Alumna is an exceedingly rare name around the world today. It shares the same Latin root as alum and, indeed, means “graduate.”
Etheline
The matriarch in The Royal Tenenbaums has a curious name. Etheline has gone virtually unused in the US. It is a form of the name, Ethel, meaning “noble woman.” Anjelica Huston wore this name well in the movie.
Felicity
Felicity Fox, voiced by Meryl Streep, certainly has an inspired appellation. Felicity is a very old virtue name that means “good fortune.” Felicity is a top-500 name for girls in the US today.
Inez
A name that’s overdue for a comeback, Inez is the Spanish form of Agnes, meaning “pure.” The appellation is featured in Bottle Rocket, belonging to a character played by Lumi Cavazos.
Lucinda
Lucinda has not been a popular name in the US since the 1980s. It is a variant of the name Lucia, with a Latin root that means “light.” You will find the character with this name in The French Dispatch, played by Frances McDormand.
Margot
Margot is a darling name of French origin, a form of Margaret that means “pearl.” Margot names one of the Tenenbaums in The Royal Tenenbaums. The name is more popular than ever before in the US.
Midge
Midge names a character in the newly released Asteroid City. This name was a common nickname for Margaret decades ago but has since fallen from fashion. We think it is the right sort of offbeat and that it holds so much retro charm.
Rosemary
A timeless classic, Rosemary names a teacher, Rosemary Cross, in Rushmore. The character is played by Olivia Williams. Today, Rosemary is mildly popular, ranking in the top 400 most popular baby names for girls.
RELATED: New Data Reveals Pop Culture-Influenced Baby Names Were Huge in 2022
Simone
Played by French actor Léa Seydoux in The French Dispatch, Simone is a fantastic character. Simone has slipped in popularity in recent years, but it still ranks in the top 1000. Its most popular year was 1988.
Wes Anderson-Inspired Names for Boys
Alistair
Alistair is a Scottish form of Alexander, meaning “defending men.” The name was featured in The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou. The name barely ranks in the top 1000 for boys in the US.
Augie
Anderson’s latest film follows widower Augie Steenbeck and his children after their car breaks down in Asteroid City in 1955. Augie is short form of August, Augustus, and Augustine. It is rare as a given name today.
Atari
Atari Kobayashi, the child at the center of Anderson’s Isle of Dogs. It is a rare name, often seen as an Israeli surname, meaning “son of the chemist.”
Clive
Clive is a name of English origin, meaning “from the high cliff.” This name is rare in the US. It is featured in Fantastic Mr. Fox.
Esteban
“Esteban was eaten!” This appellation is a Spanish form of Stephen. The Greek of this name means “crown.”
Gustave
M. Gustave is the lead character in the Wes Anderson film The Grand Budapest Hotel. The name was last popular in the US prior to the 1940s! This name is of Teutonic origin, meaning “staff of the Goths.”
Henry
One of the English-speaking world’s most beloved names, Henry is of German origin and means “estate ruler.” The name is inspired by The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar, produced by Anderson.
Julian
Julian is a unisex name of French and Latin origin that means “youthful.” The character is found in The French Dispatch, played by Adrien Brody.
Jupiter
Jupiter is a name from Roman mythology that means “sky father” or “godfather.” The Girl From Jupiter is one of Suzy’s books in Moonrise Kingdom.
YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE: The 200 Fastest-Rising Baby Names in the US Are Astonishing: See the Biggest Climbers for Girls and Boys
Roebuck
The French Dispatch has a character named Roebuck Wright. Roebuck is an English name that means “roe deer.” It is very rare as a given name but was once a popular nickname.
Choosing a Wes Anderson-inspired baby name can be a creative and fun way to pay tribute to one of the most imaginative filmmakers of our time. These names offer a wide range of options for parents who want something unique and stylish. Whether you’re a die-hard fan of Wes Anderson’s movies or just love the quirky vibe of his characters’ names, this list is sure to inspire you as you search for the perfect moniker for your little one. With a Wes Anderson-inspired name, your child is sure to stand out in all the best ways.