Literary Dog Names, Names After Famous Literary Characters

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Literary dog names are a dream come true for book lovers and bibliophiles looking to name their new pup. Drawing from the pages of classic novels, beloved poetry, and timeless plays, these names carry the weight of great storytelling and the charm of unforgettable characters. If your bookshelf is overflowing and your heart is full of literary love, a character-inspired name is the perfect choice.

This collection spans centuries of literature, from Shakespeare's heroines like Juliet and Ophelia to modern favorites like Atticus, Gatsby, and Hermione. You'll find names from every genre — romance, adventure, mystery, and fantasy — ensuring there's a literary match for every dog's personality. A spirited pup might suit a Darcy, while a gentle soul could be the perfect Scout.

Literary names are wonderfully distinctive and always come with a conversation starter. Fellow readers will instantly recognize the reference, sparking discussions about shared favorite books. These names give your dog a rich backstory and a touch of intellectual charm that sets them apart.

Browse our collection of literary dog names below. Filter by gender, discover the stories behind each name, save your favorites, and give your pup a name worthy of the greatest stories ever told.

All Male Female Unisex

All A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

#	Name	Meaning	Gender	Origin
1	Abel	Breath	Male	Hebrew
2	Ackley	Division of land, field	Male	English
3	Ada	Noble kind	Female	Germanic
4	Adah	Adornment	Female	Hebrew
5	Adele	Noble	Female	Germanic
6	Ahab	Father's brother	Male	Hebrew
7	Albus	White	Unisex	Latin
8	Alcina	Strong-willed	Female	Greek
9	Aldous	Old	Male	Germanic
10	Alfred	Elf counsel	Male	English
11	Alia	To ascend	Female	Hebrew
12	Alice	Noble kind	Female	Germanic
13	Alma	Maiden	Female	Hebrew
14	Amanda	She who must be loved	Female	Latin
15	Amaryllis	Sparkling	Female	Greek
16	Aminta	Defender	Female	Greek
17	Amory	Bravery and power	Female	German
18	Amy	Loved	Female	French
19	Andy	Man, warrior	Male	Greek
20	Angelica	Of the angels	Female	Latin
21	Ann	Grace	Female	Hebrew
22	Anna	Grace	Female	Hebrew
23	Anne	Grace	Female	Hebrew
24	Annika	Grace	Female	Hebrew
25	Anthony	Priceless	Male	Latin
26	Anton	German Form Of Anthony (Beyond Praise)	Male	Latin
27	Antonia	Feminine Form Of Antonio Beyond Praise	Female	Latin
28	Arabella	Yielding to prayer	Female	English
29	Araminta	Lofty	Female	Literary
30	Aramis	One of the three muskateers	Unisex	Literary
31	Archer	An archer or bowman	Male	English occupational surname
32	Arden	Lofty. Eager.	Female	English
33	Argos	Greek mythological and place name, often linked with bright or shining	Male	Ancient Greek
34	Ariadne	Very holy one	Female	Greek
35	Arthur	Name of uncertain origin, possibly Celtic bear-man or related to Roman Artorius	Male	Celtic or Roman, uncertain
36	Arwen	Fair, fine	Female	Welsh
37	Ashley	Ash wood	Female	English
38	Atalanta	Balanced	Female	Greek
39	Atticus	From Attica	Male	Latin
40	Audrey	Noble strength	Female	English
41	Augusta	Venerated	Female	Latin
42	Augustus	Venerated	Male	Latin
43	Aurora	Dawn	Female	Latin
44	Avery	Elf counsel	Male	English
45	Axel	Father of peace	Male	Hebrew
46	Ayla	Oak tree	Female	Hebrew
47	Barnabas	Son of consolation	Male	Hebrew
48	Barnaby	Son of consolation	Unisex	Hebrew
49	Barrington	Settlement associated with Beorn	Male	English
50	Bathsheba	Daughter of an oath	Female	Hebrew

480 names found. Page 1 of 10.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most popular literary dog names?

Popular literary dog names include Atticus (To Kill a Mockingbird), Gatsby (The Great Gatsby), Hermione (Harry Potter), Darcy (Pride and Prejudice), Scout, Pip (Great Expectations), and Sherlock. Each name carries a rich literary heritage.

Are literary names too unusual for dogs?

Not at all. Most literary names are actually quite easy to say and remember. Names like Scout, Darcy, and Pip are short, clear, and perfect for calling at the dog park while still carrying a literary connection.

How do I choose the right literary name for my dog?

Consider your dog's personality and match it to a character. A brave, loyal dog might suit an Atticus, while a clever, curious pup could be a Sherlock. Think about your favorite books and which characters remind you of your dog.

Related guides for Literary Dog Names

Literary Dog Names: A Bookish Tribute for Your Furry Friend
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If you love names that feel a little vintage and a lot literary, this tip rounds up 14 old-school picks that are coming back into style. You'll meet Alfred (Old English for elf or magical counsel, borrowed for Queen Victoria's second son), Clyde (a playful Scottish river name popularized by outlaw Clyde Barrow in the film Bonnie and Clyde), and others whose stories span royalty, rivers, and classic characters. Each entry includes origin, meaning, and a quick backstory. If you want to give your pup a name that feels dignified, lived-in, and rich with history rather than trend-chasing, this list delivers.