Shakespeare names have a way of feeling simultaneously ancient and completely fresh. Whether the Bard invented them outright, borrowed them from history, or lifted them from Italian novellas and English chronicles, the names that appear across his plays carry a weight and poetry that holds up across centuries.
This list pulls from the full sweep of the canon: the tragedies, comedies, histories, and romances. Some of these names are back in serious use right now; others are quietly waiting for a parent bold enough to revive them. All of them have a story.
Shakespeare Names for Girls: The Romantic Heroines
Shakespeare wrote some of literature’s most vivid female characters, and their names are among his most lasting gifts to the naming world.
Juliet
The most famous of all Shakespeare names needs no introduction, but it deserves one anyway. Derived from the Latin Juliusit carries centuries of romantic weight without feeling overdone. Right now it sits in a sweet spot: recognizable but not overused.
Viola
The quick-witted heroine of Twelfth Night lends her name a musical quality, it shares its root with the viola instrument, both tracing back to Latin violameaning “violet.” This one is climbing steadily and deserves every bit of its current momentum.
Rosalind
From As You Like ItRosalind is one of Shakespeare’s cleverest heroines. The name likely blends the Germanic elements hros (horse) and lind (soft, tender), though its rosy sound has long made it feel like a floral name. It is criminally underused right now.
Miranda
Shakespeare almost certainly coined Miranda for The Tempesttaking it from the Latin mirandusmeaning “worthy of admiration.” It had a long run in the mid-20th century and is due for a thoughtful revival.
Portia
The brilliant lawyer of The Merchant of Venice carries a name rooted in the Roman family name Porcius. It has an elegant, understated confidence that suits a child who will likely grow into someone formidable.
Cordelia
The loyal daughter in King Lear has a name of debated origin, possibly from the Welsh cor (heart) or a Latinized form of a Celtic name. However it arrived, it sounds beautiful and feels genuinely rare today.
Beatrice
The sparring heroine of Much Ado About Nothing carries a name meaning “she who brings happiness,” from the Latin beatus. It is one of the great literary names, beloved by parents who want substance over trend.
Helena
Shakespeare used Helena in both A Midsummer Night’s Dream and All’s Well That Ends Well. The name derives from the Greek heleneassociated with light or a torch. It feels classic without being stiff.
Hermia
Another A Midsummer Night’s Dream heroine, Hermia is a feminization of Hermes, the Greek messenger god. It is rare, distinctive, and has a mythological depth that rewards a curious child.
Imogen
The heroine of Cymbeline may actually be the result of a printer’s misreading of “Innogen,” but Imogen has taken on a life of its own. It is a top pick in the UK and deserves more attention in the US.
Titania
The Queen of the Fairies in A Midsummer Night’s Dream takes her name from the Titans of Greek mythology. Bold and theatrical, this one is for parents who are not afraid of a name with presence.
Cressida
From Troilus and Cressidathis name likely traces back through medieval retellings of the Troy legend to the Greek name Chryseis. It is unusual, literary, and genuinely striking.
Perdita
The lost princess of The Winter’s Tale carries a name Shakespeare derived from the Latin perditusmeaning “lost.” That melancholy origin is offset by the name’s light, lovely sound.
Marina
The heroine of Pericles was born at sea, and her name reflects that: from the Latin marinusmeaning “of the sea.” It is warm, accessible, and quietly elegant.
Olivia
One of the most popular names in the English-speaking world right now traces part of its literary pedigree to Twelfth Night. The name derives from the Latin olivameaning “olive.” Shakespeare may not have coined it, but he certainly popularized it.
Silvia
The beloved in The Two Gentlemen of VeronaSilvia comes from the Latin silvameaning “forest.” It is the more romantic, continental spelling of Sylvia and has a gentle, sun-warmed quality.
Nerissa
Portia’s witty lady-in-waiting in The Merchant of Venice carries a name possibly derived from the Greek nereismeaning “sea nymph.” Rare and lovely, it would make an extraordinary choice today.
Jessica
Shakespeare almost certainly invented Jessica for The Merchant of Venicepossibly from the Hebrew name Iscah. It became a dominant name in the late 20th century and still carries genuine warmth.
Ophelia
The tragic heroine of Hamlet has a name likely derived from the Greek ophelosmeaning “help” or “benefit.” The association is heavy, but the name is genuinely beautiful and currently enjoying a thoughtful revival.
Desdemona
From Othellothis name is believed to derive from the Greek dysdaimonmeaning “ill-fated.” The tragic association is real, but parents who love bold, unusual names will find it irresistible.
Shakespeare Names for Boys: The Heroes and Villains
The men of Shakespeare’s plays range from noble princes to scheming villains, and their names are just as varied. Several are due for serious reconsideration.
Romeo
The name of literature’s most famous lover derives from the Latin Romaeusmeaning “from Rome” or “a pilgrim to Rome.” Parents in Europe and Latin America have long embraced it; English-speaking parents are slowly catching up.
Hamlet
The Prince of Denmark carries a name derived from the Old Norse Amlethmeaning something close to “dull” or “stupid”, a disguise the prince famously adopted. The literary weight here is enormous, which makes it a bold but defensible choice.
Oberon
The King of the Fairies in A Midsummer Night’s Dream has a name rooted in the Old High German Alberichmeaning “elf ruler.” It is mythic, musical, and almost entirely unused today.
Lysander
Another Midsummer name, Lysander comes from the Greek, meaning “liberator of men.” It is the kind of long, sonorous classical name that is ripe for revival.
Benedick
The reluctant romantic of Much Ado About Nothing carries the Latin name Benedictus, meaning “blessed.” The spelling Benedick is the Shakespearean form and distinguishes it nicely from the more common Benedict.
Iago
The villain of Othello carries the Iberian form of James, derived from the Hebrew Jacob. Iago is a perfectly valid name in Spain and Portugal. the Shakespearean association is intense, but the name itself is striking.
Prospero
The sorcerer-duke of The Tempest carries a name from the Latin prosperusmeaning “fortunate” or “successful.” It is one of the most optimistic names in the canon and is genuinely underused.
Puck
The mischievous sprite of A Midsummer Night’s Dream has a name rooted in Old English folklore, from pucaa mischievous spirit. It is a rare but real given name, best suited to a parent with a sense of humor.
Orlando
The romantic hero of As You Like It carries the Italian form of Roland, from the Old High German Hrodlandmeaning “famous land.” It is charming, international, and has a natural nickname in Lando.
Claudio
Shakespeare used Claudio in both Much Ado About Nothing and Measure for Measure. The Italian and Spanish form of Claudius, from the Roman family name, it has a warm, Mediterranean ease to it.
Leontes
The jealous king of The Winter’s Tale carries a Greek name rooted in leonmeaning “lion.” It is grand and unusual, though Leo works as a natural nickname if the full name feels like a lot.
Pericles
Shakespeare borrowed the name of the famous Athenian statesman for his late romance. From the Greek peri and kleosmeaning “surrounded by glory.” An extraordinary name for a parent who loves classical history.
Ariel
The spirit servant of Prospero in The Tempest carries a Hebrew name meaning “lion of God.” Shakespeare used it as a male name. today it works beautifully across genders.
Caliban
The wild, enslaved figure of The Tempest possibly derives from “cannibal” or from a Romany word. It is a genuinely unusual name, best understood as a literary statement rather than an everyday choice.
Demetrius
Used in both A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Titus AndronicusDemetrius derives from the Greek goddess Demeter. Long, stately, and full of classical authority.
Balthazar
A supporting name in several plays, including The Merchant of Venice and Much Ado About NothingBalthazar is one of the traditional names of the Three Magi. It has a wonderful, slightly exotic weight to it.
Horatio
Hamlet’s loyal friend carries a name from the Roman family name Horatius, of uncertain origin. It has a noble, steadfast quality that suits a character defined by loyalty, and it is well overdue for a comeback.
Mercutio
Romeo’s quick-tongued friend in Romeo and Juliet may take his name from the Latin mercuriusevoking the messenger god Mercury. It is theatrical and vivid, a name that announces itself.
Bertram
The flawed hero of All’s Well That Ends Well carries an Old High German name meaning “bright raven.” It is old-fashioned in a way that is cycling back to charming.
Lucentio
The eager suitor of The Taming of the Shrew carries a name rooted in the Latin luxmeaning “light.” It is flamboyant and fun, and Luca or Lucio work as natural nicknames.
Shakespeare Names That Cross Genders
Several names from the plays work beautifully regardless of gender, either because Shakespeare used them that way or because their sounds have shifted over time.
Phoebe
The shepherdess in As You Like It shares her name with a Titan goddess of Greek mythology, from phoibosmeaning “bright” or “radiant.” It is a top-100 favorite in several English-speaking countries and has real staying power.
Robin
Puck is sometimes called Robin Goodfellow in A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Robin, a medieval diminutive of Robert, has been used for boys and girls for centuries and feels fresh and unpretentious today.
Shakespeare Names from the History Plays
The history plays draw on real English monarchs and nobles, and several of their names carry both Shakespearean and genuine historical weight.
Henry
Shakespeare’s history plays are practically a Henry festival: Henry IV, Henry V, Henry VI. From the Old High German Heimirichmeaning “home ruler,” Henry is a perennial top-ten name that carries enormous, effortless authority.
Richard
Richard II and Richard III both appear in the canon. From the Old High German Ricohardmeaning “powerful ruler,” Richard is a classic that feels solid rather than stodgy.
Edmund
The scheming villain of King Lear shares his name with Anglo-Saxon kings. From the Old English Eadmundmeaning “wealthy protector,” Edmund is warm, literary, and quietly trending upward.
Clarence
The Duke of Clarence appears in the Henry VI plays and Richard III. From the Latin place name Clarentia, it has a vintage, slightly aristocratic feel that suits the current appetite for old-fashioned names.
Margaret
Queen Margaret is one of Shakespeare’s most powerful political figures, spanning multiple history plays. From the Greek margaritesmeaning “pearl,” Margaret is a heavyweight classic that is actively climbing back up the charts.
Eleanor
Eleanor appears in King John and Henry VI. From the Old Provencal name Alienor, it has long been one of the most elegant names in the English language and shows no signs of fading.
Philip
The Bastard Faulconbridge in King John goes by Philip, a Greek name meaning “lover of horses.” It is sturdy, classic, and due for a quiet comeback after years on the sidelines.
Lesser-Known Shakespeare Names Worth Discovering
These names come from less-performed corners of the canon. They are genuinely rare, genuinely Shakespearean, and genuinely worth a closer look.
Lavinia
The tragic heroine of Titus Andronicus carries a name from ancient Roman mythology, borne by the legendary wife of Aeneas. The play is brutal, but the name is beautiful.
Adriana
From The Comedy of Errors
Adriana derives from the Latin place name Hadria. It is warm, melodic, and feels both classical and approachable. The fierce, loyal lady of The Winter’s Tale carries a name derived from the Roman family name Paulus, meaning “small.” Paulina herself is anything but small in character, and the name has her strength. Adriana’s sister in The Comedy of ErrorsLuciana comes from the Latin luxmeaning “light.” It is musical and underused, with Luci or Luce as natural nicknames. The young prince of The Winter’s Tale carries a name Shakespeare likely invented from the Latin flosmeaning “flower.” It is flamboyant and rare, a genuine outlier name. The loyal lord in The Winter’s Tale carries an Italian name of Etruscan origin, possibly related to a young ceremonial attendant. It has an easy Italian warmth and the nickname Cami or Cam. The honest old counselor in The Tempest carries a Spanish name derived from the Germanic Gundisalvusmeaning “battle genius.” It is uncommon in English-speaking countries and carries a wonderful depth. The twin heroes of The Comedy of Errors are both named Antipholus, from the Greek. It is an extreme choice, best as a middle name, but it is genuinely Shakespearean and genuinely unusual. Start with the character, not just the name. Shakespeare names carry the weight of their characters, and it is worth spending a few minutes with the play before committing. Ophelia is gorgeous, but if the tragic associations feel too heavy, Viola or Rosalind carry similar literary beauty with lighter baggage. Think about the sound alongside the story. Some of these names are long and theatrical: Desdemona, Antipholus, Mercutio. Others are compact and easy: Puck, Ariel, Robin. A longer surname often pairs better with a shorter Shakespeare name, and vice versa. Say it out loud ten times before deciding. Consider how the name will age. Miranda and Cordelia feel equally at home on a baby and a CEO. Puck and Caliban feel like a statement at every stage of life, which is either a feature or a problem depending on your outlook. The history-play names like Edmund, Henry, and Margaret tend to be the most versatile across decades and contexts. Finally, lean into the obscurity if that is what draws you. The plays are full of names most people have never heard spoken aloud, and that is exactly their appeal. A child named Perdita or Florizel will spend a lifetime explaining the reference, and that can be a gift rather than a burden. Shakespeare spent a career finding the exact right word for every moment. Borrowing one of his names is not just a literary gesture. it is following his example: choosing language that carries more meaning than it first appears to hold.Paulina
Luciana
Florizel
Camillo
Gonzalo
Antipholus
How to Choose a Shakespeare Name for Your Baby
