Baby Names from Science Fiction and Fantasy: Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, and Harry Potter

The Origin of the Names: From Ancient Languages to Inventions

The names in well-known works of pop culture stem from completely different sources. Authors such as J.K. Rowling (Harry Potter) or Frank Herbert (Dune) often draw on existing, historical names from Latin, Greek, or Celtic origins. These names have existed for centuries, possess a documented meaning, and were simply brought back into the spotlight by the books.

Other creators, like George Lucas (Star Wars), phonetically altered existing names to make them sound familiar yet alien. J.R.R. Tolkien (The Lord of the Rings) represents a unique case: as a linguist, he constructed his own languages such as Sindarin (Elvish) and drew on Old English roots. Because he documented his translations in detail, the meanings of these invented names can be determined precisely and reliably.

20 Names from Pop Culture, Sci-Fi, and Fantasy

Luke
This name from the Star Wars universe goes back to the Latin name Lucanus or the Greek name Loukas. The documented literal meaning is "one who comes from Lucania" (a region in southern Italy). In the German-speaking world, the name is often given its English pronunciation, which is worth considering when pairing it with a last name.

Leia
The exact origin of Leia as a character name in "Star Wars" is not clearly documented. A hypothesized connection to Lea would not clarify its meaning: with Lea, too, "the weary one" and an Akkadian derivation are merely proposed explanations. A definitive literal meaning for Leia is not derived from this.

Finn
The Irish name Finn belongs to Fionn and the word for "white" or "fair." Independent of this, the Scandinavian name goes back to Finnr, a historical term for a Sami person or a person from Finland.

Rey
The name of the Star Wars protagonist corresponds to the Spanish word for "king." In naming traditions, Rey is often used as a short form of names like Reyna (queen) or Reynaldo. The name is short, punchy, and works internationally without difficulty.

Padmé
This name from the Star Wars prequels originates in Sanskrit. The documented root means "lotus" or "lotus flower." In Tibetan Buddhism, the word forms part of the well-known mantra "Om mani padme hum." Pronouncing it with the stress on the second syllable is straightforward in German.

Cassian Cassian derives from Cassius. A connection to Latin cassus (“empty”, “vain”) is uncertain.

Arwen
This name was invented by J.R.R. Tolkien for "The Lord of the Rings." Because Tolkien developed the Elvish language Sindarin with precision, its meaning is clearly documented: "ar" stands for noble or royal, and "wen" for maiden. Its meaning is therefore "noble maiden."

Elanor
This name also comes from Tolkien's Elvish language Sindarin. It is composed of the words "êl" (star) and "anor" (sun) and denotes a small, star-shaped, golden flower in the books. The name closely resembles the established name Eleanor, but possesses an independent derivation defined by the author.

Frodo
Tolkien borrowed this name from Old English. The documented root is "fród," meaning "wise" or "experienced." The name is strongly tied to the literary character, which is important to keep in mind when choosing it, as this association will be the immediate point of reference in everyday life.

Eowyn
This name from "The Lord of the Rings" was constructed by Tolkien using Old English words. "Eoh" means horse or steed, and "wyn" stands for joy or delight. The documented meaning is "horse-joy." Its pronunciation (Eh-o-win) often requires a brief explanation in the German-speaking world.

Harry
The title character of J.K. Rowling's series bears a classic English name. Harry is documented as a medieval English form of the name Henry (Heinrich). The Old High German roots "heim" (home) and "rihhi" (mighty, ruler) form its foundation. The name is internationally established and straightforward.

Hermine Hermine is the feminine form of Hermann. Hermione, the Harry Potter character’s English name, derives instead from Hermes.

Luna
The name of the character Luna Lovegood derives directly from the Latin word "luna"; its documented meaning is simply "moon." Luna was the moon goddess in Roman mythology. The name is currently very popular in the German-speaking world and easy to spell.

Sirius
In Harry Potter, this is the name of Harry's godfather. Sirius is the name of the brightest star in the night sky. The word comes from Greek ("seirios") and is documented as meaning "burning," "glowing," or "scorching." It is an uncommon name that remains practical for daily use thanks to its clear spelling.

Fleur
The name of the French witch in Harry Potter is the French word for "flower." The Latin root is "flos." The name is short and clear, but requires the French pronunciation in German (with a soft, lightly rolled R at the end), which not everyone masters immediately.

Cedric
Cedric is a literary name created by Walter Scott in his novel "Ivanhoe." Scott was likely inspired by the older name Cerdic. Its etymological meaning is unexplained; "amiable" or "beloved" is not a verified translation of Cedric.

Arthur
Arthur's exact origin is not definitively resolved. One explanation links the name to the Celtic word for bear; other possible origins are also under discussion.

Paul
The main character in Frank Herbert's sci-fi epic "Dune" bears a very traditional name. Paul derives from the Roman cognomen Paulus. The documented Latin root means "small" or "humble." The name is firmly established in German, English, and French, though pronounced differently in each language.

Lyra
The protagonist of Philip Pullman's "His Dark Materials" bears the name of a constellation (the Lyre). The word comes from Greek ("lyra") and refers to the ancient stringed instrument. The name is easy to pronounce in German and fits seamlessly among short girls' names ending in A.

Arya
Known from "Game of Thrones." The name is documented in the ancient Indian language Sanskrit, where it means "noble," "honorable," or "the noble one." Independent of the TV series, Arya is an established first name in Indian and Persian-speaking regions.

Everyday Suitability: When Pop Culture Meets the Last Name

When you choose a name from a book or movie, how it pairs with your last name is an important factor. Many sci-fi and fantasy names come from the English-speaking world or are English-influenced. An English-pronounced first name (such as Luke or Harry) combined with a typically German last name creates a pronounced phonetic contrast. Test whether you like this contrast by saying the first and last names out loud several times in a row.

Pay attention to the spelling as well. Names from fantasy worlds often have complex spellings (such as Eowyn). Consider whether you are prepared to spell the name out frequently in everyday situations. If you love the sound but find the spelling too complicated, the name can also be a wonderful choice as a middle name. That way, you incorporate your passion for literature without requiring your child to spell their name every single day.

How to Proceed with Your Name Search

To narrow down a long list of ideas to the right name, you need to find out where you both agree. Add the names you love from books or movies to a shared list. Rate them independently of one another—that way, neither of you is swayed by the other's opinion.

You can do exactly that in the HeyName app. You link your devices via an invite and can independently mark names as "Favorite," "Maybe," or "Not for us." When you have both saved a name from Star Wars or Harry Potter as a favorite, it appears as a mutual match. You can also use the filters by language or length to search specifically for other names that match your favorites. Then, in the app, you can compare up to three favorites side by side to see how they look and sound alongside your last name.

Editorial update: September 22, 2026

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