We’ve talked about baby names inspired by European cities or baby names inspired by nature, but how about baby names inspired by film icons? Our baby name series is taking on the topic of your favorite filmmakers and characters names today!
That is a VAST topic to cover, so I know you all will have more ideas to share in the comments. Can’t wait to hear them! Here’s the submission we received…
Amanda D has a baby boy on the way. Here’s what she’s looking for in a name…
“We don’t like most typical/common names. (I’m an Amanda born in the 80s, and grew up with 6 other Amanda’s in every class until college!) We want something unique and ideally gender neutral. We are both film buffs, so enjoy nods to strong characters and talented filmmakers or artists. We’d like a middle name, but also no idea there!”
Keep reading for our suggestions!
Names Inspired by Film Icons
First up, we’re sharing unique names inspired by famous filmmakers, directors and iconic actors. We included some from both old Hollywood and more recent icons on the film scene. Here’s a few of our favorites:
- Akira (Akira Kurosawa)
- Alejandro (Alejandro Iñarritu)
- Alfonso (Alfonso Cuaron)
- Alfred (Alfred Hitchcock)
- Bogart (Humphrey Bogart)
- Brooks (Mel Brooks)
- Buster (Buster Keaton)
- Cameron (James Cameron)
- Claude (Claude Rains)
- Davis (Bette Davis)
- Emerald (Emerald Fennel)
- Francis (Frances Ford Coppola)
- Grant (Cary Grant)
- Hayworth (Rita Hayworth)
- Jackson (Peter Jackson, Samuel L Jackson)
- Jenkins (Patty Jenkins)
- Marshall (Penny Marshall)
- Morgan (Morgan Freeman)
- Meyers (Nancy Meyers)
- Ridley (Ridley Scott)
- Stewart (Jimmy Stewart,
- Welles (Orson Welles)
- Werner (Werner Herzog)
- Wes (Wes Anderson)
Names Inspired by Iconic Movie Characters
Where do you even begin with iconic movie character names? There are so many! Some also cross the literary/film boundary if they first appeared in a book. The options are endless! We’ve rounded up just 13 here but would love to hear more of your favorite strong or iconic movie characters (or titles!):
- Axel (Axel Foley, Beverly Hills Cop)
- Bennet (Pride & Prejudice)
- Clark (Superman)
- Darcy (Mr. Darcy, Pride & Prejudice)
- Elliot (E.T.)
- Emmett (Emmett Brown, Back to the Future)
- Ferris (Ferris Bueller)
- Forrest (Forrest Gump)
- Gale (Dorothy Gale, Wizard of Oz)
- Kane (Citizen Kane)
- Rocky (Rocky)
- Zuri (Black Panther)
What are your favorite names inspired by iconic movies?
Do you have any favorite names inspired by iconic filmmakers or movie characters? Or any other names related to film perhaps inspired by movie titles, actors or locations? We’d love to hear your suggestions below and help Amanda out!
Congratulations, Amanda! We hope you find a name you love!
You can find more baby name topics here.
If you’re expecting or adopting and would like to apply to be a part of the series, click here to fill out this form about your situation and name preferences!!
Lily says
I love Gable for Clark Gable.
Other ideas:
Sidney (Sidney Poitier, and Sid is so underused for boys)
Capra (Frank Capra)
Niro (Robert De Niro)
Fox (21st Century Fox — one of the original biggies!)
Mayer (Metro Goldwyn Mayer… Goldwyn would also be pretty cool with nickname Wyn)
Kelly says
Love all of these, Lily!!
L. Cohen says
I love the concept of baby names inspired by movies, although I must add that “Cohen” as a first name for a baby unfortunately does not really sit right with me. I understand the inspiration comes from the *Coen brothers, but as a Cohen and Jewish woman myself I’d urge you to do a little more research on this name.
Cohen is a priestly name in Judaism indicating your ancestors were priests in the Temple of Jeruzalem. The name still comes with some limitations and privileges in Judaism, for example: Cohen’s may not come in contact with deceased people (only close relatives). The name has gravity to it and represents ancient priestly traditions, you may understand the problematic and ignorant qualities of naming your child Cohen without even researching it’s meaning and importance in Judaism.
I’m happy to assume no intentions of cultural appropriation were meant (it is a wonderful name after all!), I’d also hope you can understand my reactions to this post. It feels strange that someone would consider naming their baby Cohen out of admiration to the Coen brothers while I’ve experienced many anti-Semitic reactions to actually having that exact last name (let alone my grandparents having been killed for being named Cohen).
To freely adopt this name for your baby with no remark for the consequences this name actually carries and carried for many Jews, let alone it being a priestly name, comes of quite ignorant as you can imagine. I appreciate the space to voice my opinion, thank you!
Kelly says
Hi L. Thank you so much for taking the time to share and educate me on this. You’re right, cultural appropriation was not the intention, but impact is far more important than intention and I take full accountability for my lack of appropriate research on the history of the name before including it here, and apologize for any pain caused by including Cohen in this post. I have updated the post accordingly to remove it and prevent further harm done to other Jewish members of this community, and again want to thank you for sharing your personal experience and story. I will be sure to further my research on other last names before including them in future posts as well.
L. Cohen says
Hi Kelly, I truly appreciate your response to my comments. It means a lot that you’re willing to learn & admit slip-ups while also taking the time to empathize with my experience. Both your apology and plans to keep educating yourself in the future are very admirable. We’re all learning so it’s really wonderful that you allowed me to share my feelings and immediately responded so gracefully to it. Thank you!
Jamie says
Frances (Dirty Dancing!)
Harry (When Harry Met Sally!)
Clark
Gable
Kay says
My apologies, my original comment was correcting “Zuri” to “Shuri” but I didn’t realize both names were used in the film! Great list!
Morgan says
I was going to suggest Morgan! It is my name so I may be a little biased, but it is unique, gender neutral and in my lifetime I think I have only met 6-7 other people named Morgan! It’s also a classic name without being too different.
Kelly says
Such a great name!! I hadn’t really thought about it before but now that I am, I think I’ve only ever met one Morgan in my life!
Jordan says
My three year old son is named Morgan! I also love gender neutral names and my husband is also a huge film buff. We also have a baby girl now named Parker (after Peter Parker from Spider-Man)!
Marnatgar says
My first thought was the name Ripley who was played by Sigourney (also a great name!) Weaver in the Aliens movies. A strong female character but the name is very gender neutral.
Maryann says
Lara (Lara Croft), Indy (Indiana Jones), Lex (Jurassic Park) and Murph (Interstellar) are some faves for me!
Maryann Rodriguez says
also want to add Daryl for the movie and actress!
Swan says
Congrats! Here are a few of my favorites:
Bond (James)
Damon (Matt)
Flynn (Errol)
Ford (Harrison)
Gene (Kelly, Wilder, Roddenberry)
Harrison (Ford)
Lucas, Luke (George, Skywalker)
Neil (l) (Simon, Gaiman, Sam)
Kelly says
Oooh love Gene!!
Swan says
Thanks, Kelly! Your lists have some good ones too. Would like to add Cary also, (as in Grant and Elwes), but didn’t see a button to edit my original comment. Thanks for the response, and good luck to Amanda and the growing family.
Katrina Alston says
I really expected to see Atticus on here 🙂
Libby says
Yes! And I was also going to suggest Harper and Scout
Another Libby says
Scout was my first thought! I would have thought Atticus but it’s not very gender neutral. Harper is, however!
Quinn Duvall says
My mom chose my name, Quinn, from the lil actress who played the daughter in the old movie The Goodbye Girls, the girl’s name is Quinn Cummings, which also happened to be my mom’s maiden name. Full circle, but I love my unique, gender neutral name!!
meghan says
Greer! My favorite name EVER.
Libby says
I’ve also seen this spelled Grier
Rosie says
Scout is cute and could be gender neutral! (To kill a mockingbird)
I also love Atticus 🙂
Meg from Australia says
My 3yr old is Veda from My Girl although it’s not gender neutral as such I thought I’d mention because I did name her after the character in the movie (except she spells it differently).
Bibi says
I have a different approach. What about Kino? ( i = e in german) it’s the German word for cinema. And I think it fits well with current names but is still unique and has a Movie Theme.
Jenn says
ROMY is my favorite girl name (but could maybe be considered neutral?) and has THREE film connections:
1)Romy & Michelle (silly, yes, but undeniably fun)
2) Romy Schneider (chic German actress from the 60’s/French new wave)
3) Sofia Coppola named her child this (obviously iconic director and family and also very chic tastemaker!!)
I am not having kids but if I did I would name them Romy!!
Margareth Bowen says
I’m more of a book person than a movie person. But I like the ideas!
Renfri, Rianon, Emiel are on the list of names for me, from one fantasy book. And the names seem pretty unique to me.
Kathie says
Not a unique name, but a unique spelling….I was named after Katharine Hepburn.
Netta says
My due date is in 7 weeks and I plan to name my daughter Ally after Lady Gaga’s character in A Star Is Born. She was the amazing friend and partner to her husband and super humble and talented, she’s the perfect girl.
Kate says
Hi! Just curious if you might be willing to follow-up with people to see what names they ended up picking! Might be fun to hear what they picked and why 🙂