Baby Names Inspired by TV Shows

A bit of caution: If you do choose to pick a name from your favorite TV show, remember that a lot of other expectant moms might also be watching that show and could have the same idea. “I hate my name,” Massachusetts-based mom Jen P. told Mom.com. “To this day, if you yell it in a crowd, 20 of me turn around. Honestly it sucked. In 5th grade, there were three Jennifers in my homeroom alone. No one remembered which Jen they were talking to and got all of us confused.”

Being one in a sea of many, could be frustrating. For babies born in the ’90s, the popularity of the TV show Friends likely had some influence on parents choosing to name their daughters after Jennifer Aniston’s ubiquitous character.

So there is something to be said for choosing a less popular name for your child. But, if you do want to go the popular route, the following names may work out well. They’re inspired by characters from popular TV shows that don’t seem to be overused….yet.

Popularity rank in the US: #212

Meaning: Jehovah is the Lord

Pedro Pascal is having a moment lately. His supporting role as Joel Miller in The Last of Us has made the Chilean-born actor a household name. Another TV Joel gaining popularity is Jeff Miller’s character in HBO’s Somebody Somewhere</em>; this Joel is the lovable, supportive best friend who everyone wants, which might be a great choice for your baby. The baby name Joel is of Hebrew origin, and while the popularity of the name has dwindled since the eighties, it may soon be back in the top 100.

Popularity rank in the US: #54

Meaning: son of Adam

Grey’s Anatomy ranks at number 8 among the top 10 most popular TV shows of all time, and one name in particular influenced an entire generation of parents. Addison, played by Kate Walsh, was so popular that she got her own popular TV show spin-off, Private Practice.

Popularity rank in the US: #27

Meaning: Grace and beauty

A name that evokes grace and beauty akin to the fragrant flower, Lily owes its origins to the Greek language and can be a shortened version of the names Lillian or Elizabeth. Since 2000, the name Lily has soared in popularity, possibly due to characters who have appeared in popular TV shows like Modern Family, How I Met Your Mother, and The Munsters.

Popularity rank in the US: #67

Meaning: Violet flower

She may be soft and sweet, or strong and bold. Violet is the name of a beautiful color and flower. It has soared from the 734th most popular girl’s name in 2000 to a remarkable 69th in 2013, possibly because of the popularity of Downton Abbey or Private Practice. This classic girl’s name has its roots in Latin.

Popularity rank in the US: #28

Meaning: Light-giving

Derived from Latin, the name Luke (from Lucas) is well-known for doctors and a Skywalker. In the TV world, it has remained a popular choice with characters named Luke on Modern Family, General Hospital, and As the World Turns. Gilmore Girls fans will remember Luke Danes, the supplier of the ever-important, life-giving coffee.

Popularity rank in the US: #53

Meaning: Crooked nose

Though considered suitable for either gender, the name Cameron, derived from the Scots language, is more popular for baby boys. Your son will be in good company: The Modern Family star Eric Stonestreet, who plays Cameron Tucker, received an Emmy award for his work on the show.

HBO’s White Lotus, since its debut, has won 42 industry awards and has received 93 nominations, making it one of the most popular TV shows this past year. On the show, Theo James portrays the charming yet awful antagonist Cameron, a character we all love to hate.

Popularity rank in the US: #2

Meaning: Olive

Some names never grow stale, and Olivia is one that continues to gain in popularity. The name Olivia was first used by Shakespeare in the play Twelfth Night, and it may have been adapted from the Latin “Oliver.” On television, you can find characters named Olivia on popular TV shows like Fringe, Gossip Girl, Guiding Light, Law & Order, and Scandal.

Popularity rank in the US: #44

Meaning: Clear; bright

Strong yet feminine. The name Claire is becoming a solid TV baby name choice for on-screen heroines. Characters bearing the Latin-derived name have shown up on numerous TV series, including Outlander, Six Feet Under, Heroes, Lost, and House of Cards.

Popularity rank in the US: #73

Meaning: Gatekeeper

Suitable for a girl or a boy, the name Parker is from English and was once the surname of a person who worked as a gamekeeper. Parker was also popularized as the name of a character on Desperate Housewives.

Popularity rank in the US: #75

Meaning: Pipe player

The straightforward, charming name Piper has English origins and has been on the climb in recent years. The name is a hit with Orange Is the New Black, while others may have been spellbound by the oldest sister on Charmed.

Jessie Paquette — a social media manager and baby name expert who shares her insight on her TikTok account @dreambabynames — believes that no matter which name you choose, a full name rather than a nickname is best. Many parents are shortening names and using those as given names, like Addie and Maddie rather than Addison or Madison.

“First impressions are very real, whether we like it or not, and giving them an option to sound as formal as they like is desirable in my opinion,” Paquette told the UK-based Daily Record. “I would hate to give my baby a name that could hinder any path they want to go down. We have to think about their whole life span and how a name impacts them. Maybe the nickname you love doesn’t feel right to them and they might have more options with a full name. I think it has a better scope on naming children.”