Literary Pet Names: 280+ Bookish, Clever & Charm-Filled Picks for Your Furry Storyteller

Ever catch your cat sitting regally on a stack of novels or your dog snoozing under a reading lamp and think, “You deserve a name straight out of literature”? Same. Whether you’re a lifelong bibliophile or just love the magic of a good story, book-inspired pet names carry a special kind of charm—like a secret nod to characters and worlds that have shaped our imaginations.

From timeless classics to quirky modern favorites, I’ve rounded up 280+ literary pet names with origins, meanings, and a sprinkle of fun commentary. Let’s turn the page and find the purr-fect (or tail-wagging) match!

Classic Characters That Never Go Out of Style

These are the heavy-hitters—the names that instantly spark recognition and cozy nostalgia.

1. Atticus – Latin for “from Attica”; the noble lawyer from To Kill a Mockingbird who embodies wisdom and integrity. Perfect for a dignified pup.
2. Scout – Atticus’s spunky daughter; playful, curious, and just a little mischievous.
3. Gatsby – From Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby; glamorous, mysterious, and ideal for a pet who loves the spotlight.
4. Daisy – Gatsby’s love; sweet and delicate, but with a hint of complexity.
5. Holden – The angsty, sharp-witted narrator of The Catcher in the Rye; great for a broody but lovable cat.
6. Jane – As in Jane Eyre; strong, self-possessed, and timeless.
7. Rochester – Jane’s complicated love interest; a name with romantic gothic flair.
8. Heathcliff – Brooding hero of Wuthering Heights; perfect for a stormy-eyed rescue cat.
9. Pip – From Great Expectations; short, sweet, and full of hope.
10. Oliver – Dickens’s brave orphan; a soft, charming pick for a gentle dog.
11. Emma – Austen’s meddling matchmaker; elegant and delightfully confident.
12. Darcy – The iconic Mr. Darcy (Pride and Prejudice); classy with a touch of mystery.
13. Lizzy – Elizabeth Bennet’s playful nickname; spunky and lovable.
14. Sherlock – Master detective of Baker Street; perfect for a clever, curious pup.
15. Watson – Sherlock’s loyal sidekick; a name that says “best friend forever.”
16. Huck – From Huckleberry Finn; adventurous and free-spirited.
17. Becky – Becky Thatcher (Tom Sawyer); sweet, sunny, and spirited.
18. Alice – Of Wonderland fame; dreamy and delightfully curious.
19. Cheshire – For the wide-grinning cat with a mischievous streak.
20. White Rabbit – A literal hop into literary fun for a bunny or speedy dog.
21. Frodo – The brave hobbit of The Lord of the Rings; small but mighty.
22. Samwise – Frodo’s loyal friend; pure-hearted and steadfast.
23. Arwen – Elvish beauty and grace from Tolkien’s world.
24. Gandalf – Wise, bearded, and magical—bonus if your pet rocks a gray coat.
25. Bilbo – A cheerful hobbit name for a pocket-sized pet.
26. Eleanor – From Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine; resilient and quietly strong.
27. Rhett – The dashing rogue of Gone With the Wind.
28. Melanie – Gentle and kind, also from Gone With the Wind.
29. Dorothy – Wizard of Oz heroine who always finds her way home.
30. Toto – The ultimate loyal pup name.
31. Glinda – Good witch sparkle.
32. Othello – Shakespeare’s tragic hero; dramatic and bold.
33. Desdemona – Lyrical and elegant.
34. Hamlet – Broody Danish prince energy.
35. Ophelia – Ethereal Shakespearean beauty.
36. Cordelia – Faithful daughter in King Lear; regal and kind.
37. Lear – Majestic but a little moody.
38. Viola – Quick-witted heroine of Twelfth Night.
39. Sebastian – Viola’s twin; suave and charming.
40. Beatrice – From Much Ado About Nothing; sharp-tongued and clever.
41. Benedick – Beatrice’s banter buddy.
42. Prospero – Magician of The Tempest (classical pick).
43. Miranda – Prospero’s kind-hearted daughter.
44. Antony – Of Antony and Cleopatra fame; heroic and bold.
45. Cleopatra – Regal queen with a flair for drama.
46. Puck – Mischievous sprite from Midsummer Night’s Dream.
47. Titania – Fairy queen sparkle.
48. Iago – Cunning villain; for a sly ferret or clever cat.
49. Queequeg – Noble harpooner from Moby-Dick.
50. Ishmael – “Call me…” for a thoughtful pet.
51. Esther – From Bleak House; warm and steadfast.
52. Jarndyce – Quirky Dickensian charm.
53. Barnaby – From Barnaby Rudge; friendly and quaint.
54. Nancy – Brave and tragic hero of Oliver Twist.
55. Fagin – Rascal vibes for a mischievous pet.
56. Magwitch – Shadowy yet loyal (Great Expectations).
57. Copperfield – Big-hearted Dickens hero.
58. Peggotty – Sweet caretaker energy.
59. Rosamond – Lovely and romantic (Middlemarch).
60. Dorothea – Noble dreamer from Middlemarch.

Contemporary & Cool

Modern books give us some seriously stylish options.

1. Katniss – Heroine of The Hunger Games; fierce, independent, and clever.
2. Peeta – Sweet, loyal, and carb-friendly (for bread-loving pets).
3. Tris – Short for Beatrice from Divergent; brave and crisp.
4. Hazel – From The Fault in Our Stars; gentle and soulful.
5. Augustus (Gus) – Hazel’s charming love interest; romantic and warm.
6. Hermione – The smartest witch at Hogwarts; a name for clever queens.
7. Luna – Dreamy and whimsical (Harry Potter fans rejoice).
8. Sirius – The dog star himself; magical AND canine-appropriate.
9. Neville – Underdog turned hero; perfect for a shy kitten who blossoms.
10. Dobby – Adorable and loyal house-elf energy.
11. Percy – From Percy Jackson; ocean vibes and youthful adventure.
12. Annabeth – Brilliant and brave demigod vibes.
13. Coraline – Gaiman’s curious, button-eyed heroine.
14. Shadow – From American Gods; mysterious and strong.
15. Lyra – Golden Compass adventurer; elegant and fierce.
16. Pantalaimon (Pan) – Lyra’s shape-shifting daemon; a mouthful but so unique.
17. Celaena – Assassin queen from Throne of Glass; bold and regal.
18. Rowan – Foresty and strong; Celaena’s warrior ally.
19. Feyre – From A Court of Thorns and Roses; fae magic vibes.
20. Rhysand (Rhys) – Dark, charming, and oh-so-swoonworthy.
21. Evelyn – From Evelyn Hugo; glamorous and mysterious.
22. Celeste – Author Celeste Ng; soft but powerful.
23. Louisa – From Me Before You; cheerful and brave.
24. Will – Lou’s tender love interest.
25. Queenie – Sharp and unforgettable (Queenie by Candice Carty-Williams).
26. Eleanor – Park twin nod (different Eleanor!).
27. Park – From Eleanor & Park; gentle and sweet.
28. Aza – Quirky heroine of Turtles All the Way Down.
29. Daisy Jones – Rock star vibes (Daisy Jones & The Six).
30. Billy – Cool, musical edge.
31. Amari – Magical kid hero (Amari and the Night Brothers).
32. Xander – Stylish YA pick.
33. Jude – From A Little Life; soulful and tender.
34. Harper – For author Harper Lee fans.
35. Finch – Scout’s family name; crisp and nature-y.
36. Blue – The Raven Boys heroine; mystical.
37. Gansey – Leader of The Raven Boys; charismatic.
38. Ronan – Brooding and magical.
39. Adam – Loyal and brave Raven Boy.
40. Noah – Sweet ghostly companion.
41. Addie – The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue; timeless and resilient.
42. LaRue – Chic surname twist.
43. Victor – Gothic nod to V.E. Schwab characters.
44. Sydney – From Schwab’s Shades of Magic; adventurous.
45. Kell – Red coat magic.
46. Lila – Daring thief-turned-hero.
47. Nesta – Fierce sister from ACOTAR.
48. Elain – Gentle sister with garden vibes.
49. Cassian – Warrior heartthrob.
50. Azriel – Shadowy and mysterious.
51. Morrigan – Celtic-cool (The Wicked + The Divine).
52. Ezra – Thoughtful and literary (Star Wars nod too).
53. Simon – From Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda; sweet and funny.
54. Bram – Simon’s adorable love interest.
55. Aurora – Sci-fi sparkle (Aurora Rising).

Myth & Magic Mash-Ups

Fantasy authors borrow heavily from myth, giving us names that shimmer with ancient power.

1. Athena – Greek goddess of wisdom (Percy Jackson cameo).
2. Apollo – Sun god energy for a golden retriever.
3. Zephyr – Gentle west wind; breezy and light.
4. Merlin – King Arthur’s wizard; perfect for a wise old cat.
5. Guinevere – Regal queen of Camelot; elegant for a long-haired pup.
6. Lancelot – Dashing knight for a brave-hearted dog.
7. Oberon – King of the fairies in A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
8. Titania – Fairy queen; enchanting and regal.
9. Prospero – Magician of The Tempest; mysterious and powerful.
10. Ariel – Airy spirit (or a nod to Disney if you prefer).
11. Caliban – Wild island creature; perfect for a mischievous ferret.
12. Circe – Witchy goddess from Madeline Miller’s novel.
13. Achilles – Hero of Miller’s Song of Achilles.
14. Patroclus – Achilles’ devoted companion.
15. Persephone – Queen of the Underworld; pretty but powerful.
16. Hades – Dark but oddly cuddly.
17. Nyx – Greek night goddess.
18. Selene – Moon goddess glow.
19. Orion – Hunter starry vibes.
20. Thanatos – Personification of death; cool goth pick.
21. Hecate – Triple moon goddess of witchcraft.
22. Freya – Norse goddess of love and cats.
23. Loki – Mischievous trickster god.
24. Thor – Thunder king; mighty for big dogs.
25. Frigg – Norse queen of foresight.
26. Odin – All-father power.
27. Baldur – Beloved Norse god.
28. Sigyn – Loyal Norse wife of Loki.
29. Fenrir – Legendary wolf; perfect for a husky.
30. Jormungandr – World serpent; epic for a sneaky reptile.
31. Hel – Underworld ruler (edgy but cute).
32. Anansi – West African trickster spider.
33. Osiris – Egyptian god of the afterlife.
34. Isis – Magical Egyptian queen.
35. Ra – Sun god glow.
36. Bastet – Egyptian cat goddess—perfect feline pick!
37. Set – Chaos bringer; bold.
38. Horus – Sky god with falcon energy.
39. Sobek – Crocodile god (for scaly pets).
40. Sekhmet – Fierce lioness goddess.
41. Anubis – Jackal-headed guardian; great for a sleek black dog.
42. Erebus – Greek darkness personified.
43. Aether – Upper-air deity; airy and light.
44. Hypnos – Sleepy god; ideal for a nap-loving cat.
45. Morpheus – Dream shaper (The Matrix fans win too).
46. Calliope – Muse of epic poetry; lyrical and sweet.

Nature-Inspired Beauties from the Page

Many literary names celebrate the outdoors, perfect for pets who love sunbeams and long walks.

1. Briar – From Sleeping Beauty retellings; thorny yet sweet.
2. Willow – Graceful tree name, popular in poetry.
3. Hawthorne – After Nathaniel Hawthorne; earthy and strong.
4. Rowan – A protective tree and a magical fantasy hero.
5. Fern – From Charlotte’s Web; gentle and nurturing.
6. Templeton – The rat from Charlotte’s Web; scrappy charm.
7. Ash – Cool and smoky; appears in countless YA novels.
8. Hazelwood – Dreamy mashup of color and forest.
9. Juniper – Whimsical berry name that pops up in fantasy.
10. Clover – Lucky and lighthearted.
11. Meadow – Peaceful and soft for a chill pet.
12. River – Poetic and calm, or wild and rushing.
13. Skye – Wide-open freedom.
14. Dune – Sci-fi desert vibes and a sandy cat pun.
15. Marigold – Bright and golden (Weetzie Bat cameo).
16. Maple – Warm and woodsy.
17. Birch – Sleek and silvery.
18. Pine – Evergreen strength.
19. Cypress – Noble and slightly mysterious.
20. Laurel – Victorious greenery.
21. Ivy – Climbing and elegant.
22. Aspen – Quaking leaves for a lively spirit.
23. Cedar – Grounded and fragrant.
24. Elm – Old-soul tree name.
25. Oakley – Strong but stylish.
26. Junia – Springlike literary rarity.
27. Sorrel – Rusty-red herb and Watership Down rabbit.
28. Thistle – Spunky and protective.
29. Moss – Soft and earthy.
30. Pebble – Tiny and adorable.
31. Brook – Gentle water spirit.
32. Rain – Fresh and calming.
33. Snowdrop – First flower of spring.
34. Frost – Poetic winter vibes.
35. Aurora – Northern lights glow.
36. Comet – Flashy and fast.
37. Starling – Chatty bird name.
38. Raven – Dark and mystical (Edgar Allan Poe).
39. Finch – Sharp and nature-loving.
40. Lark – Cheerful and musical.
41. Heron – Graceful water bird.
42. Swift – Speedy and playful.
43. Wren – Tiny but mighty.
44. Robin – Classic cheerful bird.
45. Dove – Peaceful sweetness.
46. Falcon – Fierce and swift.
47. Sparrow – Adventurous charm (Pirates of the Caribbean nod!).
48. Breeze – Light and airy.
49. Zephyr – Gentle west wind.

Punny & Playful Bookworm Picks

If you love a good literary joke, these names will make fellow readers grin.

1. Paw-dust – For a cat who leaves a trail of story “dust.”
2. Meowby Dick – White whale energy for a giant fluffy kitty.
3. Bark Twain – A witty dog with a sharp tongue.
4. William Shakes-paw – For the dramatic performer in your life.
5. Furr-ginia Woolf – A contemplative cat who likes long naps and modernist prose.
6. Purr-cy Jackson – For adventurous felines.
7. Hairy Paw-ter – Self-explanatory magic.
8. Catniss Everdeen – Hunger Games but make it feline.
9. Romeow – A hopeless romantic cat.
10. Juliet Tail-kin – Because love stories need balance.
11. Meowrice Sendak – For a wild rumpus-loving kitty.
12. Purrsephone – Underworld queen of naps.
13. William Pawkespeare – Extra flourish for drama queens.
14. Jane Pawsten – For a refined feline.
15. Charles Barkens – Dickens with a wag.
16. Leo Pawstoy – Epic Russian vibes.
17. Furrginia Woolf – Modernist muse.
18. Howl-er’s Moving Castle – A big-hearted pup pun.
19. Salem’s Pawt – Spooky Stephen King flair.
20. The Great Catsby – For a glam party cat.
21. Meowrice Blanchot – Philosopher kitty.
22. Pawtricia Highsmith – For a sly thriller cat.
23. J.R.R. Tollkitten – For a little hobbit furball.
24. George Pawell – Animal Farm energy.
25. Clawdia Rankine – Poetic and fierce.
26. Pawdry Hepburn – Breakfast at Litter-box.
27. Sylvia Pawth – For brooding poetry cats.
28. Pawlo Coelho – Mystical wisdom kitty.
29. Haruki Muraclawmi – Dreamlike paws.
30. Meowcolm X – Bold and brave.
31. Catrick Rothfuss – Fantasy furball.
32. Grrrtrude Stein – Avant-garde pup.
33. Pawlo Neruda – Romantic poet pet.
34. Shakespaw – Classic and concise.
35. Clawrence Sterne – Playful history nod.
36. Pawlet Austin – Regency sass.
37. Grrraham Greene – Thrilling canine.
38. Edgar Allan Paw – Gothic meowster.
39. Houndini – Escape-artist dog.
40. Hairy Dresden – Urban fantasy wizard pup.
41. Sir Wagston Hughes – Bluesy bark.
42. Mark Pawin – Huck Finn spirit.
43. Clawrence of Arabia – Desert adventurer.
44. Drooliet – For a romantic pupper.
45. Purrnando Pessoa – Existential kitty.

🅰️–🆉 Alphabetical Inspiration

Sometimes you just need a big buffet of names to skim. Here’s a lightning-round A–Z of literary gems:

1. A – Alcott, Aragorn, Arya, Aslan, Aelin
2. B – Brontë, Bingley, Behemoth (Master & Margarita cat!), Buttercup (Princess Bride)
3. C – Cedric (Harry Potter), Cosette (Les Mis), Cinna (Hunger Games), Clarisse (Fahrenheit 451)
4. D – Dorian (Picture of Dorian Gray), Demelza (Poldark), Draco (Harry Potter), Dorothea (Middlemarch)
5. E – Ender (Ender’s Game), Eowyn (LOTR), Estella (Great Expectations), Elio (Call Me by Your Name)
6. F – Faramir, Finn, Fanny (Mansfield Park), Francie (A Tree Grows in Brooklyn)
7. G – Gollum, Gandalf, Gatsby (because yes, twice), Galadriel
8. H – Hester (Scarlet Letter), Hagrid, Howl (Howl’s Moving Castle), Huckleberry
9. I – Isolde, Ishmael (Moby-Dick), Iorek (His Dark Materials)
10. J – Jo (Little Women), Jasper (Twilight), Jude (Jude the Obscure), Jorah (Game of Thrones)
11. K – Kya (Where the Crawdads Sing), Kvothe (Name of the Wind), Karenina (Anna Karenina)
12. L – Lestat (Interview with the Vampire), Lysander (Midsummer Night’s Dream), Lila (My Brilliant Friend)
13. M – Marius (Les Mis), Matilda (Roald Dahl), Moriarty (Sherlock Holmes), Mina (Dracula)
14. N – Nick (Great Gatsby), Nora (A Doll’s House), Newt (Fantastic Beasts), Narnia (why not?)
15. O – Odysseus, Oliver, Ophelia (Hamlet), Orpheus
16. P – Pippi (Pippi Longstocking), Poe, Proust, Pevensie (Chronicles of Narnia)
17. Q – Quixote, Queenie (Fantastic Beasts), Quenby (Code Name Verity)
18. R – Rhett (Gone with the Wind), Raskolnikov (Crime and Punishment), Ramona (Beverly Cleary)
19. S – Sansa (Game of Thrones), Severus, Scarlett (Gone with the Wind), Santiago (Old Man and the Sea)
20. T – Tess (Tess of the d’Urbervilles), Tamsin (Cornish fairy legend), Tristran (Stardust)
21. U – Ursula (Little Mermaid or Love of Swans), Ulysses, Umberto (Eco)
22. V – Vanya (Uncle Vanya), Victor (Frankenstein), Violet (Series of Unfortunate Events)
23. W – Winn-Dixie (Because of Winn-Dixie), Wuthering, Wilde (Oscar Wilde)
24. X – Xanth (Piers Anthony fantasy world), Xena (not strictly literary but mythic fun)
25. Y – Yorick (Hamlet), Yvaine (Stardust), Yossarian (Catch-22)
26. Z – Zora (Zora Neale Hurston), Zarathustra (Thus Spoke Zarathustra), Zaphod (Hitchhiker’s Guide)

How to Pick The Name

Feeling overwhelmed? Here are a few quick tips:

• Match the vibe. A chill, sleepy cat might rock a dreamy name like Hazel or Lyra, while a mischievous ferret might need something cheeky like Caliban or Meowby Dick.
• Say it out loud. Does it roll off the tongue during cuddles or park call-outs? (“Gatsby, come!” has a certain ring.)
• Follow your heart. If a name makes you smile every time you think of it, that’s your sign.

Final Chapter: Your Pet, Your Story

Books stay with us because they hold pieces of who we are—our dreams, our fears, our favorite escapes. Choosing a literary name is more than a cute gimmick; it’s a way to honor the stories that shaped you and to start a brand-new adventure with your furry companion.

So whether you go grand (Atticus!), magical (Luna!), or delightfully punny (Bark Twain!), remember: the best name is the one that makes your heart skip when you whisper it to your new best friend.

Happy naming, fellow book lover—and may your days be full of wagging tails, cozy reading nooks, and happily ever afters.