Tag Archives: read

Word Names for Writers


I’ve noticed that several baby name enthusiasts have a passion for writing. Many writers enter the world of baby names while researching potential character names. I thought it would be fun to look at some wonderful word names related to the art of writing.

Story seems like it should be a hipster favorite.  A unisex word name, meaning a narrative, Story has a whimsical vibe.  Though Story may seem a bit too out there to many parents, it does share the same ending sound as familiar names like Lori and Corey. Actress Jenna Elfman named one of her sons Story Elias.  If Story feels to bold as a first name, you may consider pairing it with a more traditional first name, like actress Minnie Driver who named her little one, Henry Story.

Can a name also be a verb? Why not? There’s Reid and Reed, so why not Read? A simple spelling twist ensures that this name has a recognizable sound, but different meaning. A cool name for a lover of literature. Reid is the most popular spelling at #259, followed closely by Reed at #317, while Read is not ranked in the top 1,000.

Page is another recognizable name, a slight spelling variation of Paige.  Page is both an occupational name, meaning an attendant to a Lord, and a term for a sheet of paper. A subtle book tie in with either spelling.  Page Hopkins, a television journalist, wears this name well.

Penn may remind you of illusionist Penn Jillette, or actor Penn Badgley. Penn is an English word meaning enclosure.  It also mirrors the sound of pen, a writing instrument.  Penn has a similar sound to Ben, and would make a cool alternative to the rising name, Finn.  Is the Penn mightier than the sword? I’m not sure, but I do think it’s one of the more usable names on this list.

Hot off the Press! There are many definitions of this interesting word name, but a printing press is what comes to mind when I think of writers.  Not sure about using Press on it’s own? Try Presley, Prescott, or Preston.  All give you the cool, subtle nod to published word.

A word name and occupational name with a romantic feel to it. Actress Soleil Moon Frye used the name Poet Sienna Rose for one of her daughters.  Poet seems like a name that should be a celebrity favorite.  It could easily work on either gender.

If you thought Poet was cool, then you might like Sonnet.  Sonnet is an inviting choice for avid readers and writers. The word Sonnet is derived from an Italian word meaning little song.  A beautiful sound and meaning, Forest Whitaker named his daughter Sonnet Noel.

Fable almost has a virtuous quality to it. A fable is a short story, often with animals, that is used to convey a moral.  A nice meaning and a quirky, yet usable name.  Blogger Rebecca Wolf named her daughter Fable Luella.

I really like the sound of the word Writer.  A Writer is someone who has written text. As a name, it has the same feel as Ryder and Wilder to me.  It follows the occupational trend and ends in the popular “er” ending.

A Quill is a writing instrument often made using a feather.  A lovely tool to write with and an interesting name. Q also makes for an interesting initial.  Quill could also work as a nickname for Quiller or Quillan.  I’d love to meet a little Quill!

Write On!