20 Unique Baby Names That Are Inspired By Public Figures

Throughout our lifetime, we come across many inspirational people we look up to. Honoring such iconic personalities, here is our list of baby names inspired by public figures. The following names in our list include men and women in various fields. Their dedication, humility, courage, wisdom, and other praise-worthy traits have made them remarkable and unforgettable influencers worldwide. By naming your child after a public figure such as a scientist or spiritual leader, you can motivate them to live a life worthy of their name. You would be contributing to their strength passively. The name also lets them know their identity is their source of strength and that they are the source of their power. So, read on to know more about the unique baby boy names listed below and choose the right one for your child.

In This Article

Top 10 Heroic Baby Girl Names

1. Emma

Comic books are an excellent source of heroic names for little girls. Emma is a strong and sassy name for your little warrior. She is a member of the X-Men series. Emma Stone is a famous Academy Award winning actress and a prominent bearer of this title.

2. Elizabeth

The trailblazer Queen and monarch of England is the proud owner of this meaningful and timeless Biblical name. The name also offers several nickname options like Bess or Eliza. This was a popular name adopted by the royal families including numerous duchesses and countess.

3. Susan

Susan is the name of the pioneer suffragist and activist. This feminine name reached its heyday in the early 1960s. Despite its beautiful meaning, Susan is less common these days. The meaning of Susan is ‘lily’. Susan Diane Wojcicki, an entrepreneur and former CEO of Youtube, is a famous bearer of the name.

4. Jane Austen

Jane Austen was a prominent literary artist and an English writer/novelist that needed no introduction. She is the author of famous novels like Pride & Prejudice, Sense and Sensibility, and Emma, to name a few. Even though the name has seen a rise in popularity in recent years, it is unlikely that your daughter will share her name with anyone else in her class.

protip_icon Did you know?
Many parents prefer the name Austen for their sons too, in recent times. The characters from Jane Austen novels such as Emma, Elizabeth, Darcy, Elinor, and Marianne also make great name choices.

5. Rosa

Rosa Parks was the first lady of the American civil rights movements. Her name is a beautiful variation of the common name Rose. Rosa is also a nice substitute for floral monikers like Violet or Lily. Canadian-American actress Rosa Salazar is a famous actor known for her roles in Alita: Battle Angel.

6. Clara

This is one of the cute heroic girl names you ever heard. Clara Barton was the founder of the American Red Cross and the Civil War nurse. Her name means ‘bright and famous’. As a result, the name is great for parents looking to name their daughter after someone who helps in healing, such as a doctor, healer, or therapist.

7. Amelia

Why don’t you consider naming your daughter after one of the most famous women adventurers, Amelia Earhart? Amelia Earhart is also a modern mystery after she disappeared over the Pacific Ocean while trying to circumnavigate the globe.

protip_icon Point to consider
Amelia is derived from the Germanic amal, which means “work.” Amelia also refers to industriousness and fertility.

8. Bronte

Bronte, the lovely surname of the three novelist and poet siblings, is now famous as a first name. It makes a fitting tribute to the lovers of Wuthering Heights and Jane Eyre. The meaning of Bronte is ‘thunder’.

9. Alexandra

Alexandra originates from the Greek language, and its meaning is ‘protector of humanity’. Saint Alexandra was the martyr of the Diocletianic persecution and later a religious icon. And in Greek mythology, Alexandra was a byname of Goddess Hera. The meaning of Alexandra is ‘protector of humanity.’

10. Andromeda

The meaning of Andromeda is ‘to be aware of man’. In Greek mythology, Andromeda was the princess whom the sea monster tried to devour. ‘Perseus’ eventually saved her. It is also the name of a constellation in the northern skies.

protip_icon Trivia
Andromeda Tonks was a fictional character in the Harry Potter series. She was the mother of the Metamorphmagus Nymphadora Tonks.

Top 10 Heroic Baby Boy Names

11. Brian

The name Brian is one of the most stylish boy names signifying a heroic spirit. The most renowned bearer of this name is Brian Boraimhe, the High King of Ireland. He was the first warrior and king to liberate Ireland from the Vikings. It made him the greatest national hero of Ireland. The meaning of Brian is ‘strong, noble’.

12. Arthur

Who comes to your mind when you hear the name Arthur? The British King Arthur would be the answer of most of you. Arthur was the leader of the Round Table’s knight who reigned in the 5th or 6th century AD. Arthur is also the name of a noble character in Shakespeare’s play “King John”. Arthur Smith is the renowned American football coach for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League.

13. Ulysses

The Greek name Ulysses is another common heroic name. Ulysses was the king of Ithaca in the Ionian Sea. It is also the name of the lead character in Homer’s ‘Iliad’. So the name Ulysses has a dual heroic connection.

14. Ali

The heroic name Ali is one of the most widely used Arabic names. It means ‘lofty and sublime’. In Islam, Ali, the All High is one of the names of Allah. It is also the name of Prophet Muhammad’s son-in-law, who was one of the most significant warriors of Islam, philosopher, and a role model. It is also the name of the hero in “Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves”.

protip_icon Did you know?
In recent times, Ali is being used as a female name as well.

15. Rocky

The famous cinematic boxer is the first thing that comes to our mind when we hear the name, Rocky. It is an adorable and one of the most modern baby boy names. Even Madonna used this name for her son.

16. Maximus

Are you a fan of the movie Gladiator? Then you can name your son Maximus. Maximus is a Roman general who served the Roman Emperor in his Twelve Year Campaign. Later, he served as a Gladiator in the arena after escaping Commodus. The name Maximus is fierce enough to make the enemies shake in their sandals. The name was also borne by many Greek scholars and thinkers of antiquities.

17. Gatsby

This is one of the unique heroic boy names. Gatsby is the titular character of “The Great Gatsby” film and novel series. For modern parents, Leonardo Di Caprio is the embodiment of Jay Gatsby, who harbored a secret desire to be remembered as a philanthropist.

18. Luke

Luke Skywalker, one of the main characters in “The Star Wars” trilogy, rules across the nation and even beyond, every Halloween. Luke is a sturdy, yet amiable New Testament name with a cowboy feel to it. Luke the Evangelist was a prominent religious teacher, educator, and the ascribed author of the canonical gospels.

19. Achilles

In Greek mythology, Achilles was the hero of the Trojan War. This brave warrior had slain the Trojan hero Hector just outside the gates of Troy. Achilles was also the lead of an epic written by Homer. The meaning of Achilles is ‘warrior’.

protip_icon Trivia
Achilles’ mother, Thetis, had dipped him into the river Styx when he was a baby to make him immortal. However, she held him by his heel, and thus it remained unexposed to the water. In the Trojan War, Paris killed Achilles by shooting an arrow at this vulnerable heel.

20. Hades

The mighty Hades was the prominent god of the underworld in Greek mythology. Parents rarely use this heroic name these days so it will make a unique choice.

Discover More Names

When you have to choose a name for your baby, a few hundreds of names may not be just enough. Keep digging our mine of baby names until you find that one precious gem.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Are there any cultural considerations when naming my baby after a public figure?

There are no special cultural considerations when naming a baby after a public figure. However, parents must ensure they have researched the name’s meaning and how socially acceptable the name is.

2. Can I combine two public figure names to create a unique baby name?

Yes, you may combine two public figures’ names for your baby, but make sure the names have a nice meaning, sound good, and go well together.

Picking baby names inspired by public figures is an excellent way of honoring your heroes while providing your child a source of inspiration and they serve as a mentor as they grow up. The names are derived from real-life, mythological, fictional adventurers, warriors, politicians, kings, innovators and other famous personalities. They are perfect for parents seeking tips from advisors and counselors for a classic baby name. Clara, Amelia, and Emma can be great choices for your lovely princess, while Gatsby, Brian, and Hades are ideal for your courageous boy.

Infographic: Sweet Baby Names Inspired By Famous Personalities

Choosing a perfect name for your baby-to-be-born is one of the exciting tasks during pregnancy and may reflect your likes and preferences. So, if you’re looking for some names of famous and powerful figures as inspiration for your baby’s name, check out the infographic below.

girl and boy baby names derived from famous people (infographic)

Illustration: Momjunction Design Team

Key Pointers

  • Parents often choose names for their children inspired by their childhood heroes or great men and women.
  • Elizabeth is a popular feminine name inspired by the late Queen of England.
  • Ulysses is a unique and rare masculine name inspired by literature, specifically Homer’s ‘Iliad.’
Baby Names Inspired By Public Figures_illustration

Image: Stable Diffusion/MomJunction Design Team


Who doesn’t like naming their child after a baby? Watch this video and get the list of the most unique and pretty baby names.

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Arshi Ahmed
Arshi AhmedMA (English)
Arshi Ahmed did her graduation from Shri Shikshayatan College, Kolkata, and post graduation in English from Lovely Professional University. With nearly four years of experience, she specializes in writing baby names articles as she loves to help new parents find a name for their child.

Read full bio of Arshi Ahmed
Srija holds an MA in English Literature from the University of Calcutta and a PG Diploma in Editing and Publishing from Jadavpur University. Her interest in editing ranges across niches, including academics, human psychology, and child development.

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Praven is an English literature expert. He did his bachelors in English from Delhi University and masters in English from Manipur University. Besides, he holds a certificate in multimedia design and content creation from NIELIT Imphal and presented papers at various national and international conferences.

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