The Perfect Baby Names For Fantasy Fiction Fans

Choosing interesting and unusual baby names is an increasing trend. Instead of the all-too-familiar, people are branching out in search of something special. Celebrities are trailblazers of this idea, picking names like Apple, Elsie Otter, Seven, and Sonnet, to name a few.

However, now it’s not only the celebrities, but also parents all over picking strange and wonderful names for their children. If you’re searching for inspiration, look no further than the nearest bookstore or library. 

Young Adult authors in particular are great at coming up with or finding unique names for their characters. Picking your child’s name based off a fictious character will help you find something interesting and not widely used in the real world, giving your kid a name that’s truly unique. It may just even help get ideas rolling for you, if you’re more into coming up with a completely original name.

Here’s what’s hot in YA fantasy fiction right now, to give you a little inspiration.

Aelin

This is the name of the lost fae queen of Terrasen in the Throne of Glass series by Sarah J. Maas. Aelin Fireheart, Aelin of the wildfire, a character full of life and vibrant energy, she burns with power and hope for her people. This is a great choice if you’re looking for something feminine and strong.

Kaz

A trickster king running the streets of a corrupt city, Kaz comes from Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo. Cunning and strong-willed Kaz is the best thief in the city and the only one capable of orchestrating an impossible heist. While you probably don’t want your child to follow in his footsteps, the name certainly has an exciting ring to it. 

Blue 

Extraordinary, eccentric Blue is the leading lady in Maggie Stiefvater’s The Raven Boys series. Growing up in a family of psychics, Blue is a natural amplifier of energy. She seeks to find herself and ends up making friends along the way who are just as strange and wonderful as she is. This low-key name is great if you want something that isn’t exclusively tied to a story, but still has connections to the fantastical. 

Tamlin

This was the name of a mortal lured from the human world by the faerie queen, in the Scottish ballad Tam Lin. More recently, Sarah J. Maas used this as the name of a powerful Fae Lord in her fantasy series A Court of Thorns and Roses, which is a loose retelling of beauty and the beast with a faerie twist. This magical name carries the feeling of another world, a different time—perfect for a whimsical child.

Cress 

Short for Crescent, this name comes from The Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer. Cress is the sci-fi/fantasy version of Rapunzel. She’s a character full of imagination and knows her way around a computer like you wouldn’t believe. She continually makes brave decisions to save her friends, despite the fear and danger. A romantic name that carries the hidden traits of courage and kindness. This also works if you’re looking for a name with ties to the night sky—the crescent moon.   

Malyen

Pronounced Mal-YEN, this is the name of a soldier and gifted tracker in Leigh Bardugo’s Grisha Trilogy, set in the same fictional universe as Six of Crows. Known as Mal, he’s the best friend of the main character, Alina, and travels with her as she discovers her powers and fights the darkness spreading through the land. Confident and strong Mal might be exactly the namesake you’d like to give your child. Plus, he’s got a simple nickname you can use from the start.

While these next character names come from stories that aren’t brand new, the names are still wonderfully unusual and unique. 

Katsa 

A girl graced with the ability to survive, Katsa comes from Kristin Cahsore’s Graceling. This name works as an alternative to Katherine and could be shortened to Kat for ease. Katsa learns to love herself and her gift for survival as she fights alongside her friends to free the kingdoms from frightening rulers. 

Marin

Pronounced MAHR-in, this is the name of the faerie queen’s consort in Wildwood Dancing by Juliet Marillier. As we adventure with the main character, Jenica, into the Other World, along with her four sisters, we’re introduced to Queen Illenia and her consort Marin. While he’s only a minor character, the name captures the otherworldly nature of this story. Outside the story, this name means ‘of the sea.’

Enna

Headstrong and fiery, this character is first introduced in The Goose Girl by Shannon Hale and later has her own story in Enna Burning. Enna is passionate and vibrant with life; she burns wild like a flame. This name is both soft and strong. 

Ren 

In Tiger’s Curse by Colleen Houck, Ren is an Indian Prince; cursed into the form of a tiger indefinitely. Through the centuries, he’s remained stuck in this feline form, only able to shift back into a man for a small time each day. But that changes when Kelsey, the protagonist, promises to help him break the curse so that he can live fully as a human once more. Thoughtful, strong, and intelligent, Ren is the kind of person who knows how to take charge, but also respects everyone’s unique talents. 

Fire 

Considered a ‘monster’ in her world for her mindreading abilities, it takes Fire many years to find genuine people who are not afraid of her gifts. Despite the struggles due to her heritage, she’s deeply human. Above all, she desires to be known for who she is underneath her monster status, which blessed her with unheard of beauty. From Kristin Cashore’s Fire, this name carries the magic and burning beauty of this spectacular character. 

Ridley

Pronounced RID-lee, this is one of the main characters in the Kanin Chronicles by Amanda Hocking. Ridley had a wild side growing up, but now takes his job as Recktor—leader of the trackers for the Kanin tribe of trolls—seriously. He’s friends with the protagonist, Byrn, and helps her uncover what’s really going on beneath the surface of their community. Determined and passionate, Ridley follows his heart and does what he feels is right.