The Most Popular Literary Baby Names Of The Past Year

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Great books inspire us in all sorts of ways — not all of which you'd expect. In addition to inspiring you to do great things or be a better person, books can also inspire you in smaller, simpler ways — to take a trip to a particular place, take a chance based on something you read in the book, or even name your baby after one of the characters, locations, or even the author. 

Many literary baby names feel classic, like if you choose one of those names for your little one, you can't go wrong. Just like naming your baby after any other character or person, by giving your baby that particular name, you're also likely hoping to pass on some of the traits or characteristics that person possesses.

Whether it's a name that's been on your mind since you read a particular book as a kid or you were just inspired by a book you read last week, literary baby names can be the perfect choice. These are the literary names that were most popular last year.

Hermione, which, according to The Bump, is a Greek name meaning "messenger" or "earthly" and is the female form of Hermes, a god of Greek mythology. It is also the name of one of Harry's best friends in the Harry Potter series. Like Harry, the name Hermione became much more popular after the release of the first film adaptation. 

In 2001, five little Hermiones were born in the United States after zero the previous year, according to data gathered from the Social Security Administration's website, while in 2002, the number jumped to 17. In 2015, 57 little girls born in the U.S. were given this unique name. The following year, when Harry Potter and The Cursed Child was staged and released, the number again jumped, this time to 71. 

Like with Harry, it remains to be seen if more Harry Potter-related releases will affect the popularity of baby names, but chances are, as those who grew up with the books begin (and continue) to have babies, you'll see more little Hermiones to come.

Though John Green's teen drama Paper Towns was originally published in 2009, the movie adaptation was released in 2015. Margo is an elusive character, one who isn't actually present throughout much of the book, but her name — and her character — have made an impact. 

In 2010, after the book was published, there were 82 baby girls born in the U.S. named Margo, according to data gathered from the Social Security Administration's website. In 2011, that number grew to 98. By 2015, when the movie was released, there were 190 little Margos born and in 2016, following the success of Paper Towns, 252 baby girls named Margo were born in the U.S. 

Thinking this name might a good one for your upcoming bundle of joy? According to Babble, this sweet and mysterious French and Hungarian name is a variant of Margaret meaning "pearl."

Commonwealth is the latest novel by award-winning, best-selling author Ann Patchett. While the character Beverly may not be an exceptionally wonderful role model for your little girl — she kisses Bert Cousins, a man who is certainly not her husband, on the day of her daughter's christening after he shows up uninvited — but the name has enjoyed a bit of a bump in popularity since the book was released. 

In 2015, according to data gathered from the Social Security Administration's website, there were 153 baby girls named Beverly in the U.S. The following year, the year that Commonwealth was published, the parents of 165 babies named their little girls Beverly. This book came out near the end of 2016, so its continued effect on names in 2017 isn't yet exactly clear. You'll just have to wait and see.

The sweet, regal, elegant name Eleanor has certainly come back into favor as of late. Part of its most recent skyrocketing popularity is likely due to the success Maria Semple's newest release, Today Will Be Different. 

In 2014, before the release of Today Will Be Different, there were 3,733 little girls named Eleanor born in the U.S., according to data gathered from the Social Security Administration's website. In 2015, the year the book was published, that number jumped to 4,424. And in 2016, following the release of Semple's best-seller, the parents of 5,100 baby girls gave their little ones the name Eleanor. 

According to Variety, HBO recently ordered a limited series TV adaptation of Today Will Be Different starring Julia Roberts, which likely will have a big impact on baby names in the coming years, too. Semple also penned the very popular Where'd You Go, Bernadette? and it is currently being adapted into a film starring Cate Blanchett, which means you may see some more tiny Bernadettes in your future, as well.

Cynthia D'Aprix Sweeney's The Nest was undoubtedly one of the most popular books of the last year. It's the story of siblings Melody, Beatrice, Jack, and Leo dealing with issues past and present, somewhat tied to the financial nest egg that their now-deceased father left them, which they're set to receive in several months. 

In 2015, before the book was released, 540 American baby girls were born named Beatrice, according to data gathered from the Social Security Administration's website. In 2016, after the book was released in March of that year, 553 little Beatrices were born in the U.S. 

It remains to be seen if the soaring popularity of the book will lead to more little Beatrices in 2017, as well, but this refined name, which according to Babble, means "bringer of joy," is just the kind of sentiment you want to pass on to your new little girl.

Baby name inspiration can strike at any moment, but well-loved literary characters make for wonderful inspiration. They're people with whom you grow up, your relationship changing as you grow older. There's a lot that a literary baby name can say about your baby, if you select the right one. You never know, the next time you pick up a book, you just may be inspired.