First Names from Famous TV Shows: Bridgerton, Game of Thrones, and Stranger Things

Where the Names from These Shows Come From

The names from these three shows originate from entirely different linguistic and historical contexts. "Bridgerton" largely draws upon nineteenth-century English first names. These names often have Latin, Greek, or Germanic roots and are well documented historically. "Stranger Things" is set in the 1980s in the United States; the names reflect American naming conventions of that era, often in the form of common nicknames. In "Game of Thrones" (based on the book series by George R.R. Martin), there is a blend: some names are traditionally English, Celtic, or Scandinavian, while others were newly invented by the author or heavily modified from existing names.

The Names in Detail

Daphne: The name originates from Greek mythology. The documented root means "laurel" or "laurel tree".

Simon: Traces back to the Hebrew name Schimon. The documented meaning is "the one who has been heard" or "God has heard".

Penelope: Penelope is a Greek name, known as the name of the wife of Odysseus. Its original meaning is not conclusively clarified. A connection to a type of duck and an explanation relating to weaving are discussed. “The weaver” is not an established translation.

Anthony: Traces back to the Roman family name of the Antonii. The original Etruscan meaning of this name is unknown. In German, the variant Anton is often recommended to avoid having to spell it out.

Eloise: This first name traces back to the Old High German name Helewidis. The common interpretation is composed of the words for "healthy" (or "whole") and "wood" (or "forest").

Edwina: The feminine form of Edwin. The Old English root is documented as being composed of the elements for "property" or "wealth" and "friend".

Colin: A short form that traces back to the name Nikolaus. The documented Greek root means "victory of the people". The name has a long tradition in the English-speaking world.

Benedict: Traces back to the Latin name Benedictus. The documented meaning is "the blessed one".

Arya: This name has documented roots in Sanskrit and Persian. The translation is "the noble one" or "the honorable one".

Jon: A short form of Jonathan or Johannes. The Hebrew root means "Yahweh has given" or "Yahweh is gracious". The spelling without an "h" is established in Scandinavian and English-speaking regions.

Sansa: George R. R. Martin invented Sansa as a character name.

Daenerys: This name was invented by author George R.R. Martin for his book series. Therefore, there is no historical name history and no verified meaning.

Brienne: The origin is historically not conclusively clarified. The name is widely interpreted as a feminine form of the Celtic name Brian, which is often translated as "noble" or "high".

Theon: A name with Greek roots. The documented root means "divine".

Bran: A name with Celtic roots. The documented Welsh root means "raven" or "crow".

Jorah: A name of Hebrew origin. The documented meaning is "the autumn rain" or "he teaches".

Maxine: Traces back to the Roman cognomen Maximus. The Latin root means "the greatest". In the show, the short form Max is used almost exclusively.

Dustin: The history of the name is not completely certain. A common interpretation traces the name back to the Old Norse name Thorstein, which means "Thor's stone".

Lucas: Traces back to the Latin Lucanus. The documented meaning is "the one hailing from Lucania" (a historical region in southern Italy).

Robin: Originally a diminutive of Robert. The Old High German root is composed of the words for "fame" and "bright". Today, the name is given gender-neutrally.

Nancy: This name originated in the Middle Ages as an English pet form of Ann or Anna. The Hebrew root means "the favored one" or "grace".

Steve: A short form of Steven or Stephen. The name traces back to the Greek name Stephanos; the documented meaning is "the wreath" or "the crown".

Joyce: Joyce derives through Josse from Breton Judoc, whose root means “lord”.

Jonathan: A traditional Hebrew name. The documented root means "Yahweh has given".

English Show Names in Everyday German Life: Pronunciation and Spellings

If you decide on a name from an English-language series, you should consider pronunciation in everyday German life. Names like Penelope or Eloise are stressed and pronounced differently in English than in German. Clarify for yourselves whether you want to retain the English pronunciation or prefer the German variant. With names like Arya or Theon, there are usually no problems in German, as they integrate well into the local phonetic system.

Pay attention to spelling as well: Jon without an "h" is often automatically spelled as John in German-speaking countries. Here, you should expect to have to spell out the name more frequently. Additionally, test how the English first name sounds together with your last name. A harsh phonetic contrast between a distinctly English-pronounced first name and a very traditional German surname can feel clunky. Say both names out loud several times in succession to get a feel for the rhythm.

How to Filter the Right Name from Show Inspiration

First, collect the names from your favorite series that appeal to both of you. In the next step, discuss objectively whether you are willing to navigate an unfamiliar spelling or an English pronunciation in everyday life. If you want to systematically narrow down your selection, you can use the HeyName app. There, you can connect your devices via invite and independently rate first names as "Favorite", "Maybe", or "Not a fit". Names that you have both marked as favorites appear as mutual matches. That way, you immediately see which series names you agree on and can discuss this shortlist together.

Editorial update: September 22, 2026

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