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The names below represent 40 of the best-known or best-loved female characters in fantasy books and films set in non-Earth worlds. For a discussion of the names and the style they represent — and a description of how they were chosen — please see the 2-part blog, The Women of Fantasy: Context-Free Femininity.
(Note that several of the names below, such Aerin and Lyanna, appear in multiple prominent fantasy works. The title listed is the work that placed them on the list.)
| Character | Title or Series |
|---|---|
| Aerin | The Hero and the Crown |
| Alanna | Song of the Lioness |
| Alixana | Sarantine Mosaic |
| Althea | Liveship Traders |
| Arya | Song of Ice and Fire |
| Daenerys | Song of Ice and Fire |
| Daine | Wild Magic |
| Denna | Name of the Wind |
| Dionara | Tigana |
| Elaira | Wars of Light and Shadow |
| Elora | Willow |
| Eowyn | Lord of the Rings |
| Jaenelle | Black Jewels Trilogy |
| Jame | God Stalker Chronicles |
| Kahlan | Sword of Truth |
| Katsa | Graceling |
| Keladry | Protector of the Small |
| Leia | Star Wars |
| Lyanna | Nightchild |
| Lyra | The Golden Compass |
| Maerad | Pellinor |
| Mara | Daugher of the Empire |
| Meliara | Crown Duel |
| Menolly | Dragonsong |
| Morgaine | Morgaine Saga |
| Phedre | Kushiel's Legacy |
| Polgara | The Belgariad |
| Raederle | Riddle-Master |
| Renie | Otherland |
| Sabriel | Old Kingdom |
| Senneth | The Twelve Houses |
| Shallin | The Way of Kings |
| Sorcha | Sevenwaters Trilogy |
| Thasa | The Red Wolf Conspiracy |
| Torina | The Seer and the Sword |
| Trinity | Matrix |
| Vin | Mistborn |
| Xena | Xena, Warrior Princess |
| Yelena | Poison Study |
| Zula | Conan the Destroyer |
