First Names from Animated Films and Fairy Tales

The Origins of Names from Animation and Fairy Tales

The first names used in well-known animated films are rarely pure inventions. Most productions draw upon existing naming traditions that suit the cultural background of the respective story. If the narrative is set in France, the names tend to be French accordingly. If the film is based on a European fairy tale, traditional European first names are often found. For stories set in other parts of the world, names from the Arabic, Polynesian, or Asian language areas are used.

For you, this means: even if a name is strongly associated with a particular animated character, it usually has an independent, historically evolved naming history.

The Names and Their Meanings

Alice
This name goes back to the Old French form of Adelheid. The Germanic word base means "of noble nature." In the English-speaking world, the name is pronounced differently than in German, which you should take into account when combining it with your last name.

Anna
This name is of Hebrew origin and traces back to Hannah. The documented meaning is "the favored one" or "the graceful one." It is an internationally recognized classic with many spelling variations.

Arielle
This is the French feminine form of Ariel. The name originates from Hebrew and means "lion of God." In German-speaking areas, pronunciation usually stresses the final syllable.

Aurora
The name comes directly from Latin and means "dawn." In Roman mythology, Aurora is the goddess of dawn. It is an ideal option if you are looking for a name rich in vowels.

Belle
This is the French word for "the beautiful one." Today, the name is often given as an independent first name, but historically it is documented as a short form of Isabelle.

Ella
Ella can be a short form of names containing El- or -ella, such as Eleanor or Ellen. In addition, there is a Germanic naming history with an element meaning "other." A single translation would blur these distinct origins.

Elsa
A traditional short form of Elisabeth. The Hebrew foundation means "God is my oath" or "God is abundance." The name has a long history in the Scandinavian and German-speaking regions.

Eric
This first name traces back to the Old Norse name Eiríkr. The documented meaning is composed of the elements for "alone" or "always" and "ruler." The spelling with a C comes across as more international than the German Erik.

Flora
A Latin name meaning "the flower" or "the blossom." In Roman mythology, Flora is the goddess of flowers and spring.

Flynn
A name of Irish origin that goes back to the surname Ó Floinn. The Gaelic root means "reddish" or "ruddy." It is short, punchy, and usually pronounced without difficulty in German.

Jasmin
The name originates from Persian and denotes the plant of the same name (the jasmine shrub). It is established across many language areas and can also be spelled Jasmine or Yasmin.

Lilo
This name is widely interpreted as a Hawaiian first name meaning "the generous one." In the German-speaking world, however, Lilo is primarily documented as an established short form of Lieselotte.

Merida
A Latin derivation from "emerita" (the meritorious woman) is often cited for this name, which traces back to Spanish place names. A Celtic or Scottish naming history is not substantiated for this first name; it represents a modern interpretation for the Scottish film setting.

Mirabel
A name with Latin roots. It traces back to the word "mirabilis," which means "admirable" or "wondrous."

Nala
In Sanskrit, Nala means "stalk" or "stem"; it is also the name of a king in the "Mahabharata." Separately, Nala is well-known as the lioness in "The Lion King." The frequently cited Swahili translations "gift" or "beloved" are not reliably substantiated.

Naveen
A name from the Indian linguistic area. It derives from the Sanskrit word "navin," meaning "new" or "young."

Oliver
Oliver traces back to the Old French form Olivier. Its earlier origin has not been conclusively established. Both a connection to the Latin oliva, "olive tree," and a Germanic source name are under discussion. "Peace" is a symbolic association, not a literally verified name meaning.

Robin
An English diminutive of Robert. The Germanic roots of Robert mean "bright" and "fame." Robin is recognized in Germany as a gender-neutral name, but is more frequently given to boys.

Tiana
Tiana is a short form of Tatiana or Christiana. The princess in Disney's "The Princess and the Frog" carries this name. This does not yield a literal meaning of "princess"; the naming history depends on the respective source name.

Vaiana
A name from the Polynesian linguistic area. It is composed of Tahitian words and means "water from the cave." In the original English release, the character's name is Moana (Oceanic for "wide sea"), which was changed in Europe due to trademark reasons.

Pronunciation and Spelling in Everyday Life

Many names from international films bring along unique pronunciation characteristics. If you choose an English or French name, you should consider how it works in everyday German-speaking life. A name like Alice can be pronounced the German way ("A-li-ze") or the English way ("Äliss"). As parents, you will need to agree on one variant and communicate it to those around you.

The harmony with the last name is another important factor. A short, English-pronounced first name like Flynn creates a strong linguistic contrast when paired with a long, traditionally German last name. Say the first and last names out loud together several times to test the rhythm. In addition, pay attention to the spelling: variants like Eric or Erik may not change the sound, but they do alter the visual appearance.

How to Make a Decision Together

If you like names from this list, write them down as a first step. It often helps to let the names sit with you for a few days without rushing into a final decision.

To find out which names both of you like, you can use technical tools. In the HeyName app, you can independently rate first names as Favorite, Maybe, or Not for us. Names that both of you have marked as a favorite appear as mutual matches. This allows you to quickly see which names from film and fairy tales you agree on, and you can then discuss this shortlist together.

Editorial update: September 22, 2026

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