Baby & Toddler

The Best Jane Austen-Inspired Baby Names

by Liz Lesnick

Photo credit: Elena Litsova Photography, Moment Open/Getty Images

July 18th marks the 200th anniversary of Jane Austen’s death. I can’t imagine a more fitting tribute to one of English literature’s greatest novelists than to name your baby after one of Austen’s memorable characters. After all, isn’t it a truth universally acknowledged that a family in possession of a baby must be in want of a name?

Here are some lovely baby names inspired by Jane Austen’s works.

Girls

Anne

Anne

from Persuasion

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Persuasion’s Anne Elliott is Austen’s oldest heroine who has seemingly missed out on her one chance for love and marriage. She personifies her name, which means grace or favor, and favor does indeed come to her in an unexpected happy ending.

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Elizabeth

Elizabeth

from Pride and Prejudice

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I’d like to think that even if I were Lady Catherine de Bourgh, I would love the name Elizabeth. One of Austen’s most beloved characters, Elizabeth Bennet personifies intelligence, wit, strength, and, perhaps most importantly, the ability to admit when she’s wrong and learn from her mistakes.

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Elinor

Elinor

from Sense and Sensibility

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I have a soft spot for Elinor Dashwood, the sense in Sense and Sensibility. Yes, she can be serious and practical to a fault, but I prefer to see her as steadfast, loyal, and loving — all qualities that I would love my daughter to have. Parents get extra points for using Austen’s less common spelling.

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Emma

Emma

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Who can the resist the irrepressible, magnetic, lovely, and feisty Emma Woodhouse? After learning from her disastrous forays into matchmaking, Emma finds love and contentment with Mr. Knightley. She truly personifies her name which means complete, whole, and universal.

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Boys

Henry

Henry

from Northanger Abbey

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When choosing the name Henry, hope that your son has the gentlemanly qualities of Northanger Abbey’s Henry Tilney (and not the caddish ways of Mansfield Park’s Henry Crawford). Bonus: With Henry, you can have a great nickname like Hank or Harry.

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Edward

Edward

from Sense and Sensibility

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I’ve always had a special fondness for Sense and Sensibility’s Edward Ferrars, and it's not just because Hugh Grant played him in the movie. Edward exemplifies loyalty, sensitivity, and thoughtfulness, qualities I would want my son to have.

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George

George

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Truth be told, I didn’t remember that Emma’s Mr. Knightley’s first name was George — thank you, Google! If you want your son to grow up to be wise, kind, and the best son-in-law in the world, you can’t do better than naming him George.

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Unisex

Darcy

Darcy

from Pride and Prejudice

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I’m taking poetic license with this suggestion — after all, Mr. Darcy’s first name is Fitzwilliam — but I’ve always loved this name. I would be thrilled if my son or daughter proved to be as devoted to their friends and loved ones as Mr. Darcy.

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What other Jane Austen characters do you love? Share with us in the comments below!