Jane Austen names carry a particular kind of magic: they feel rooted in a specific era yet somehow never go stale. Whether you’re drawn to the wit of Pride and Prejudice or the quiet depth of PersuasionAusten populated her novels with characters whose names have aged beautifully, elegant, substantial, and full of personality.
This list pulls the best of them, organized by novel and by gender, with a word on why each name still works today. A few are already back in fashion; others are criminally underused and waiting for a revival.
Pride and Prejudice: The Crown Jewel of Jane Austen Names
Pride and Prejudice gives us Austen’s most beloved cast, and the names reflect that. They range from the quietly timeless to the boldly distinctive.
Elizabeth
The name of Austen’s most beloved heroine, Elizabeth Bennet, is a Hebrew classic meaning “my God is an oath” or “my God is abundance.” It has been a top-tier name for centuries and shows no signs of stepping back. Lizzie and Eliza are the obvious nicknames, but Bess and Beth give it a softer edge.
Jane
The eldest Bennet sister is gentle, lovely, and perpetually kind, and the name Jane matches all of that. A feminine form of John, rooted in Hebrew via Old French, it means “God is gracious.” Short, strong, and quietly sophisticated, it works as a first name or a middle name anchor.
Lydia
The youngest and most impulsive Bennet sister carries a name that means “woman from Lydia,” the ancient kingdom in Asia Minor. It has a bright, energetic sound that suits both a Regency-era teenager and a modern child. Lydia has been climbing steadily back into fashion and feels genuinely fresh again.
Catherine
The youngest-but-one Bennet sister, Kitty, is formally Catherine, a Greek-rooted name meaning “pure.” It has centuries of royal and literary weight behind it, and the nickname Kitty is playful enough to keep it from feeling stiff. Kitty alone has also made a quiet return as a standalone name.
Mary
The bookish middle Bennet daughter carries one of the oldest names in the Western tradition, with Hebrew roots meaning “beloved” or possibly “bitter.” Mary is having a genuine revival right now, shaking off its mid-century dustiness and reclaiming its classic status. It is understated in the best possible way.
Caroline
Miss Bingley’s first name is Caroline, a Latinate feminine form of Charles meaning “free person.” It has a cool, polished sound that suits its bearer’s ambitions perfectly. Caroline has been a consistent favorite for decades and wears its elegance without effort.
Charlotte
Charlotte Lucas, Elizabeth’s pragmatic best friend, has a name that has become one of the biggest success stories in baby naming over the past two decades. Also a feminine form of Charles, it means “free person” and carries a warmth that the more formal Caroline lacks. Royal associations have kept it high in the rankings.
Georgiana
Darcy’s younger sister has one of the most underused treasures in the Austen catalog. Georgiana is a feminine form of George, meaning “farmer” or “earthworker,” but it sounds anything but agricultural, it is grand, romantic, and rare. Georgia and Georgie make wonderful everyday nicknames.
Fitzwilliam
Darcy’s given name is Fitzwilliam, a Norman surname-turned-first-name meaning “son of William.” It is admittedly a bold choice as a first name today, but as a middle name it is distinctive and carries serious literary cachet. Will and Fitz both work as nicknames.
Charles
Bingley’s first name is Charles, the Germanic classic meaning “free man.” It is one of those names that never truly goes out of style, it just cycles between royal, classic, and fashionable. Charlie as a nickname makes it feel current and approachable.
William
Mr. Collins’s first name is William, the Old French and Germanic stalwart meaning “resolute protector.” Despite being associated with one of Austen’s most ridiculous characters, the name itself is impeccable. Will, Liam, and Bill all spin off naturally.
George
Wickham’s first name is George, the Greek-origin classic meaning “farmer” or “earthworker.” It has shed its mid-century staleness entirely and now reads as handsome and grounded. George is a strong, clean choice that works across generations.
Sense and Sensibility: Names with Feeling
Austen’s first published novel pairs sisters with very different temperaments, and names that each carry their own distinct character.
Elinor
The restrained, deeply feeling elder Dashwood sister carries a name that is Austen’s spelling of Eleanor, meaning “bright, shining one” (from the Old French and Provençal form of the name). Elinor specifically has a quiet distinction that Eleanor, for all its beauty, now lacks, it is rarer and more literary. This is one of the best sleeper picks in the Austen catalog.
Marianne
The passionate younger Dashwood sister has a name that blends Marie and Anne, combining the Hebrew roots of both: “beloved” and “grace.” Marianne has a romantic, flowing quality that suits a character who feels everything at full volume. It is far less common than either parent name, which gives it real individuality.
Margaret
The youngest Dashwood sister is Margaret, a Greek-rooted name meaning “pearl.” Margaret has made a strong comeback in recent years, driven partly by royal associations and partly by a broader appetite for substantial, old-fashioned names. Maggie, Margo, and Meg are all excellent nickname options.
Edward
Edward Ferrars is one of Austen’s more quietly heroic leading men, and his name is an Old English classic meaning “wealthy guardian.” Edward has never fully gone out of fashion, and royal and literary associations keep it feeling solid and dignified. Ed and Ned are the classic nicknames; Eddy brings it a modern warmth.
Brandon
Colonel Brandon’s surname-as-first-name is an Old English place name meaning “hill covered with broom.” It reads as a first name so naturally today that most people forget it started as a surname. Brandon has been popular since the 1980s and still has a steady, dependable appeal.
Willoughby
The charming, devastating Willoughby is another surname-style name, an Old Norse and Old English place name meaning “farm by the willows.” As a first name it is genuinely unusual, with a swashbuckling Regency quality. Will and Wills are the obvious shortenings if it feels like too much.
John
The selfish John Dashwood carries the most enduring name in the English-speaking world, a Hebrew classic meaning “God is gracious.” Despite its association with Austen’s most uncharitable brother, John itself is impeccable: clean, strong, and quietly classic. It is having a genuine re-evaluation as a baby name right now.
Lucy
Lucy Steele, the scheming rival of Elinor, has a name derived from Latin luxmeaning “light.” Whatever you think of the character, the name is lovely, bright, simple, and friendly. Lucy has been a consistent top-100 favorite for years and shows no sign of slowing.
Anne
Anne Steele, Lucy’s less sharp sister, carries a name of Hebrew origin meaning “grace.” Short, complete, and utterly classic, Anne has an austerity that makes it feel more elegant than ever in an age of elaborate names. It is equally strong as a first name or a middle name.
Emma: Confident, Clever, and Occasionally Wrong
The names in Emma have some of Austen’s strongest personalities attached to them, and several are firmly back in fashion.
Emma
The novel’s heroine and title character has a Germanic name meaning “whole” or “universal.” Emma has been one of the most popular girls’ names in the English-speaking world for the past two decades, and for good reason: it is short, strong, and has a confident, warm sound. It is as close to a sure thing as baby naming gets.
Harriet
Emma’s protégée Harriet Smith carries a name that is a feminine form of Harry and Henry, meaning “home ruler.” Harriet was considered dowdy for decades but has staged a remarkable comeback, driven by a broader love of Victorian and Edwardian names. Hattie is an irresistible nickname.
Augusta
Mrs. Elton’s first name is Augusta, the Latin feminine of Augustus meaning “majestic” or “venerable.” It is one of those grandly beautiful names that has been waiting patiently for its moment. August and Gus are both used for boys, but Augusta stands firmly on its own for girls.
Frank
Frank Churchill, the charming and slightly duplicitous young man, carries a name of Germanic origin meaning “free man” (from the Franks). Frank has a punchy, warm quality that feels genuinely current, it is the kind of short, strong name that is very much back in style. It works beautifully as both a first and a middle name.
Philip
Mr. Elton’s first name is Philip, from the Greek meaning “lover of horses.” It is a solid, distinguished name that has slipped slightly under the radar, making it feel fresher than many of its peers. Phil and Pip are both good nicknames.
Robert
Robert Martin, the decent farmer whom Harriet refuses and later accepts, has a name of Old High German origin meaning “bright fame.” Robert is one of those names that never truly disappears, it is a perennial classic with strong nickname options in Rob, Bob, and Bobby. It reads as steady and unpretentious, which suits its bearer well.
Isabella
Mr. Knightley’s sister-in-law Isabella Knightley (nee Woodhouse) carries a Latinate form of Elizabeth, meaning “my God is an oath.” Isabella has been enormously popular since the early 2000s and remains a top-tier choice. Bella and Izzy are the natural nicknames.
Henry
Henry Woodhouse, Emma’s fussy but loving father, has a name of Germanic origin meaning “home ruler.” Henry has been one of the great comeback stories of the past decade and is now firmly back among the most popular boys’ names. Harry is the classic nickname, Hal the more literary one.
Persuasion: Austen’s Most Romantic Novel
Persuasion is Austen at her most emotionally direct, and the names in it have a similar quality, less ornate, quietly powerful.
Frederick
Captain Wentworth’s first name is Frederick, a Germanic classic meaning “peaceful ruler.” It has a formality that suits a naval officer, but Fred and Freddie make it immediately warm and accessible. Frederick is climbing back into fashion and feels like a genuinely distinguished choice.
Walter
Sir Walter Elliot, Anne’s vain father, has a name of Old High German origin meaning “ruler of the army.” Walter was considered hopelessly old-fashioned for decades but is now firmly in the revival column. Walt is a cool, short nickname. Wally is charming on a child.
Louisa
Louisa Musgrove, the lively young woman who falls dramatically from the Cobb at Lyme, has a name that is a Latinate feminine form of Louis, meaning “famous warrior.” Louisa is more elegant and less common than Louise, and it has a flowing, romantic quality. It feels poised for a bigger moment.
Henrietta
Louisa’s sister Henrietta carries the feminine form of Henry, meaning “home ruler.” It is elaborate in the best way, substantial and feminine, with Hetty and Etta as sweet nickname options. This is one of the most underused names in the entire Austen catalog.
Northanger Abbey: Gothic and Charming
Northanger Abbey is Austen’s most playful novel, a satire of Gothic fiction, and its cast of names ranges from the sweet to the distinctly villainous.
Eleanor
Eleanor Tilney, the General’s gentle daughter, carries a name of Old French and Provençal origin meaning “bright, shining one.” Eleanor has been one of the great name revivals of the past decade and is now a consistent top-50 presence in many English-speaking countries. Ellie and Nora are both natural nicknames.
James
Catherine’s brother James Morland has a name of Hebrew origin meaning “supplanter” (from Jacob). James is one of those names that sits permanently near the top of the charts without ever feeling overexposed. It is clean, strong, and universally legible across cultures.
Mansfield Park: Quieter Names, Deeper Characters
Mansfield Park is Austen’s most morally serious novel, and its names tend toward the substantial and the old-fashioned, even by Regency standards.
Fanny
Fanny Price, the novel’s quietly heroic protagonist, carries a name that was a diminutive of Frances, meaning “from France” or “free one.” Fanny is genuinely difficult to use in contemporary English-speaking contexts due to its double meaning, but it remains historically significant as the name of one of Austen’s most underrated heroines.
Edmund
Edmund Bertram, the principled hero of Mansfield Parkhas an Old English name meaning “wealthy protector.” Edmund has the same dignified weight as Edward but feels slightly less common, which gives it a real distinction today. Ed and Ned are the natural nicknames.
Thomas
Sir Thomas Bertram, the patriarch of Mansfield Park, carries a name of Aramaic origin meaning “twin.” Thomas has been a steady presence in English naming for centuries and has never gone out of fashion, it is one of those names that simply works in every generation. Tom is the universally loved nickname.
Julia
Julia Bertram, one of the Bertram sisters, has a Latin name meaning “youthful” or “downy-bearded” (from Julius). Julia is one of those names that has maintained a gentle, consistent popularity without ever becoming ubiquitous. It is elegant without being showy.
Maria
Julia’s elder sister Maria carries the Latin form of Mary, meaning “beloved” or “of the sea.” Maria has a warmth and musicality that its English counterpart sometimes lacks. It works across many cultures and languages, giving it a quiet universality.
Susan
Fanny’s younger sister Susan Price carries a name of Hebrew origin, a form of Shoshannah meaning “lily” or “rose.” Susan was enormously popular mid-century and is only now starting to feel genuinely vintage again rather than simply dated. Sue and Susie are the natural nicknames.
How to Choose the Right Jane Austen Name
The first thing worth knowing is that most Austen names are not obscure or difficult to use. The majority are genuine classics, Elizabeth, Henry, Anne, Charlotte, Edward, that happen to have literary associations. If you want a name with depth and history, you are not taking a risk with these. you are choosing something that has been beloved for centuries.
The more distinctive picks are the ones that reward a second look: Elinor rather than Eleanor, Marianne rather than Marie or Anna, Georgiana rather than Georgia, Henrietta rather than Harriet, Willoughby as a middle name rather than a first. These carry the same Regency-era elegance but with far less competition at the playground.
Think about whether you want the character association to be the point or just the backstory. Names like Emma, Charlotte, and Elizabeth are so widely used today that most people won’t think “Austen” first. But if you name a daughter Elinor or a son Edmund, readers will notice and appreciate it. There is a version of this for every level of subtlety.
Finally, consider the surname and the middle name together. Many of these names have strong rhythm on their own but need a middle name that either matches their formality (Frederick James, Eleanor Grace) or deliberately contrasts it (Georgiana Lou, Edmund Fox). Austen herself had an instinct for how names sound together, and it is worth borrowing that attention to detail.
These names have outlasted the novels’ original publication dates by two centuries. That is not an accident. Austen chose names that felt real and grounded, names that carried personality without announcing it. The best ones on this list will do the same for a child born in 2026.
