21 Celebs Who Named Their Kids After Fictional Characters

It’s common for celebrities to find baby names in the world of entertainment – books, movies, and TV shows are all popular sources of inspiration. Some stars prefer to hint at their favorite stories with a name, while others choose to directly honor famous characters. This shows how much actors and musicians connect with the stories that have influenced them. The names come from all sorts of places, from classic novels to today’s comic book adaptations, and reflect the unique tastes of each parent. Here’s a look at 21 celebrities who’ve named their children after fictional characters.

Nicolas Cage

Nicolas Cage is a huge comic book fan, and that’s clear in many of his life choices – most notably, he named his son Kal-El, Superman’s Kryptonian birth name, when he was born in 2005. Cage is a dedicated collector, once owning a near-perfect copy of the first Superman comic, ‘Action Comics No. 1.’ He even came close to playing Superman himself in a movie that unfortunately never got made. The name Kal-El is a lasting homage to a character that’s deeply impacted both Cage’s life and his work as an actor.

Robin Williams

Robin Williams, the beloved comedian and actor, was a passionate gamer even when gaming wasn’t popular. He loved the game ‘The Legend of Zelda’ so much that he named his daughter Zelda after the game’s princess. Years later, Zelda Williams and her father shared a special moment together, appearing in commercials for the game. Zelda has often talked about the meaningful bond she has with the character and how much her father enjoyed the ‘Legend of Zelda’ series.

Kevin Smith

Kevin Smith, a well-known director and huge comic book fan, chose a unique name for his daughter: Harley Quinn. Born in 1999, she’s named after the famous character from ‘Batman: The Animated Series’—a villain who’s also considered a hero. Smith himself has written comics for DC and is a big fan of Batman. His daughter has happily accepted the name and has even followed in her father’s footsteps by acting in his movies and pursuing her own acting career.

Pete Wentz and Ashlee Simpson

Pete Wentz and Ashlee Simpson named their son Bronx Mowgli, combining the name of a New York City borough with a character from literature. Mowgli, from Rudyard Kipling’s ‘The Jungle Book,’ was chosen because the couple connected over the story, making it a special choice for their family. The unusual pairing of a city name with a literary figure attracted a lot of attention from the media.

Tom Fletcher

Tom Fletcher, known for his music with McFly and his writing, is a huge Disney and Pixar enthusiast. This love inspired the name he and his wife, Giovanna, gave their son – Buzz, after the iconic Buzz Lightyear from ‘Toy Story’. The couple frequently share their passion for these animated films online, and they’ve continued the Disney theme with the names of their other children, reflecting the characters that meant a lot to them growing up.

Stacey Solomon

Stacey Solomon, a well-known TV personality, found inspiration in Pixar movies when naming her son, Rex. She explained that she loved the character of Rex from ‘Toy Story’ – a funny and slightly insecure dinosaur. Given her well-known love of Disney, the name seemed like a perfect fit for her family. Later, she continued this Disney theme by naming her daughter Belle, after the lead character in ‘Beauty and the Beast’.

Rupert Grint

Rupert Grint, best known for playing Ron Weasley in the ‘Harry Potter’ films, chose the name Wednesday for his daughter because of the iconic character from ‘The Addams Family’. He’s long been a fan of the name, appreciating its unique and memorable quality. The recent popularity of Wednesday Addams in pop culture made the choice feel even more fitting and special.

Ed Sheeran

Ed Sheeran named his daughter Lyra Antarctica after being inspired by fantasy literature. ‘Lyra’ comes from the main character in Philip Pullman’s ‘His Dark Materials’ series, which Sheeran considers his favorite books and calls a beautiful love story. Her middle name, Antarctica, honors a special trip he and his wife took there before she became pregnant.

Chris Hemsworth

Chris Hemsworth named his twin son Tristan after a character from the 1994 film ‘Legends of the Fall’. Hemsworth and his brothers were big fans of the movie growing up, and he always thought Brad Pitt’s character, Tristan Ludlow, was particularly cool. Choosing the name is a nod to Hemsworth’s love of classic, dramatic films and storytelling.

Megan Fox

Megan Fox named her second son Bodhi, a choice inspired by both Buddhist teachings and the movie ‘Point Break’. The name comes from a Buddhist term meaning enlightenment, but Fox also loved the character Bodhi played by Patrick Swayze in the 1991 film, calling it one of her favorites. She felt this combination gave the name a meaningful depth and a connection to popular culture.

Benedict Cumberbatch

Benedict Cumberbatch named his son Hal as a nod to William Shakespeare. ‘Hal’ was a well-known nickname for King Henry V in Shakespeare’s history plays, a role traditionally seen as a mark of acting excellence. Cumberbatch himself played a part in a TV series called ‘The Hollow Crown’, which adapted these plays, and his friend Tom Hiddleston played the role of Prince Hal. This choice of name shows Cumberbatch’s strong connection to classic theatre and English literature.

Cate Blanchett

Cate Blanchett, the Academy Award-winning actress, unexpectedly found the perfect name for her son, Ignatius, in a children’s book. While pregnant, she was struggling to find a name and stumbled upon the ‘Captain Underpants’ series. A joke about the name Ignatius in one of the books resonated with her instantly. Though the name’s origin was funny, Blanchett felt it had a strong and classic feel.

Dwayne Johnson

Dwayne Johnson’s love for Disney is clear in the names he chose for his two youngest daughters. He named one Jasmine after the princess in ‘Aladdin’ and the other Tiana, after the main character in ‘The Princess and the Frog’. As someone who voiced Maui in ‘Moana’, Johnson often talks about how proud he is to be connected to Disney and share that joy with his kids.

Tia Mowry

Actress Tia Mowry named her daughter Cairo Tiahna as a tribute to Disney princess Tiana from ‘The Princess and the Frog,’ who was the first African-American princess. Mowry chose the name because Tiana embodies ambition and pursuing your dreams – qualities she hopes her daughter will share. She slightly altered the spelling of ‘Tiana’ to make the name unique while still honoring the inspiring character.

Troian Bellisario

Troian Bellisario, famous for her role in ‘Pretty Little Liars’, and her husband Patrick J. Adams named their daughter Aurora. The name is widely recognized from the Disney movie ‘Sleeping Beauty’. While they initially kept the name under wraps, the couple later revealed its connection to the classic fairytale princess. This choice reflects a recent trend among celebrities who are drawn to names inspired by the stars and fairytales.

Stacey Dooley

I was so charmed to hear Stacey Dooley named her daughter Minnie! She confirmed it was a sweet tribute to Minnie Mouse, who’s just such an iconic character. It’s funny and adorable, and she totally owns the Disney connection, which I love. It’s great to see classic names like Minnie making a comeback – it feels both vintage and fresh because of that pop culture link.

Sophie Turner and Joe Jonas

Sophie Turner and Joe Jonas appear to have taken inspiration from Turner’s popular TV show, ‘Game of Thrones,’ when naming their daughter Willa. Fans noticed that Willa is the name of a character who appears in the show’s final season. Although the couple hasn’t confirmed the reason, many believe it’s a nod to the series that made Turner famous. The name feels soft and delicate, while also acknowledging her successful career.

Trisha Paytas

Trisha Paytas, a popular YouTuber and reality TV personality, recently chose a unique name for her daughter: Malibu Barbie. A longtime Barbie fan, Paytas decided to fully express her love for the iconic doll by naming her child after it. The name reflects Paytas’s own bright, pink-themed online style. She’s well-known for her large Barbie collection, so the name feels like a natural – though striking – way to show her dedication to the brand.

Molly-Mae Hague

Molly-Mae Hague, a well-known TV personality and social media influencer, recently announced the name of her daughter: Bambi. The name comes from the classic 1942 Disney film about a young deer. Hague has said she’s always loved the name and felt it was perfect for her baby. She was aware it might be an unusual choice, but ultimately decided on it because of its personal meaning and distinctiveness.

Holly Madison

Holly Madison, known from reality television, chose the name Rainbow Aurora for her daughter, embracing her fondness for imaginative and fantastical themes. She named her daughter Rainbow after a classmate she admired, and Aurora pays tribute to the Disney princess Sleeping Beauty. Madison, a longtime fan of fairytales, wanted a name that felt magical, and the combination creates a vibrant and enchanting identity for her child.

Drew Barrymore

Drew Barrymore and her husband chose the name Olive for their daughter while reading together. They were enjoying the children’s book ‘Olive, the Other Reindeer’ during her pregnancy, and the name just felt right. The book tells a funny and heartwarming story about a dog who believes she’s been chosen to help Santa, and Barrymore loved the name’s sweet and charming quality, creating a special connection to a beloved story.

2025-12-06 11:46