Baby Names to Inspire Halloween Costumes: Classic Peter and More

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Have you ever thought about baby names with built-in Halloween costumes?

When we named our daughter, I immediately started dreaming up Halloween costumes that matched her name. She’s been Clio the Muse, and Cleopatra, of course. When she was just a few weeks old, I realized that Cleo was the name of the goldfish in Pinocchio, and stuffed my little newborn into a fish suit like this one . (She hated the hood!)

Some of the most popular baby names come with built-in costume ideas. While there’s no shortage of possibilities, I thought I’d pick some of my favorite baby names with built-in Halloween costumes.

My rules: it had to be extremely easy to make or buy. I will be in awe if you construct a cardboard bridge costume for your daughter Brooklyn, but it seems unlikely that most of us could.

I know there are dozens more! Have you ever dressed up in a costume inspired by your name? Or have you dressed your child accordingly?

ALICE (#65)

An enduring storybook character, everybody knows Alice of Wonderland fame. There’s the Disney version, of course, both the animated 1951 classic and the 2010 and 2016 live action remakes. But the world has given us dozens of other versions, in stage plays and ballets and ABC’s Once Upon a Time in Wonderland, which gives you some room to make Alice your own. Plus, the rest of your family can dress up as the White Rabbit, Mad Hatter, the Cheshire Cat, the Queen of Hearts, and the rest of the Wonderland crew.

AMELIA (#4)

Amelia Earhart was born way back in 1897. Her name was familiar, but not wildly popular at the time. She became the first woman to fly across the Atlantic in 1928. In 1937, she disappeared over the Pacific Ocean while attempting to fly around the world. It’s her legacy that transforms Amelia from just another lady-like vintage charmer to lady-like vintage charmer and daring adventurer. It’s an easy Halloween costume, too. The only problem? Given the popularity of the name, there could be lots of little aviators ringing your doorbell this October 31st!

ARIEL (#288)

While some of the Disney princess names are rare – Mulan, Merida, Cinderella and Snow, for starters – a few of them are chart-topping favorites. Along with Ariel, there’s Jasmine and Belle. Factoring in all those Isabellas and Annabelles might make the latter the most common choice. Not only do they have obvious, built-in costumes, but they’re readily available pretty much everywhere. With the recent live action version of The Little Mermaid finding success, a whole new generation of girls might want to go under the sea this Halloween.

AURORA (#22)

Sleeping Beauty is even more popular than fellow princess Ariel and has an obvious costume option, too.

CHASE (#154)

And Skye and Marshall and Everett … plenty of Paw Patrol names could be great costumes.

CLEO (#608)

One of those names with a built-in costume that she’ll never really outgrow. While Cleopatra is the obvious choice for any Cleo name, the Greek muse Clio can wear a similar costume – just maybe lose the gold and add a scroll.

DASH (#905)

The Incredibles remain a popular choice of family costume, particularly since you can just wear a tee shirt … or go all-out in superhero costumes. If you have a Dash, dressing him up as Dash Parr might be an obvious choice one Halloween.

DOROTHY (#467)

The Kansas farmgirl who flew over the rainbow and helped save the day makes an easy costume – just add ruby slippers! For years, Dorothy was trapped in Golden Girls territory, but lately this 1920s favorite feels fresh and new again. The name has nearly doubled in use over the last decade.

JACK (#14)

This one almost isn’t fair. Dress your baby as Jack Skellington, the Pumpkin King from The Nightmare Before Christmas. Or as a pirate Jack (Sparrow), Dash’s baby brother Jack-Jack (from The Incredibles), or one of many action hero Jacks – to just name a few.

KING (#266)

If you chose a regal name for your son, the costume is as easy as a crown and maybe a scepter. This works for boys named King, but also Kingston and Kingsley. It might even work for boys with names traditionally worn by kings, like Louis and George. And it absolutely works for the legendary Arthur.

LEO (#18)

If your little one answers to Leo, there’s a ready-made costume waiting for him: King of the Jungle. As with King, any of the names starting with Leo can convincingly don a lion costume. And with so many Leo- names – for boys and girls alike – odds are that you might find a whole pride of lions on your doorstep for Trick-or-Treat.

LINCOLN (#64)

It’s a great Americana choice, a favorite for boys, and comes with an obvious Halloween costume. It’s easy to dress up like the 16th President of the United States – all it takes is a stovepipe hat and a fake beard. There’s something rugged and action-oriented about this name, but the ties to history make it feel more traditional than might otherwise be the case.

LUKE (#31)

There are dozens of famous Lukes, from the New Testament to actors, musicians, and athletes of the present day. But one Luke looms larger than the others: Skywalker. His story forms the foundation of the sprawling Star Wars universe, inspiring countless sequels and prequels and spin-offs, countless books, and next, sprawling lands in major theme parks. Not bad for a name nearly as traditional as John. Though, of course, this generation might prefer to dress up as Finn or Poe (or Mando or Grogu) instead.

MADELINE (#94)

Another storybook idea: Madeline, as in Ludwig Bemelmans’ French schoolgirl, introduced to the world in 1939. Her blue coat, and the red bow around her hat make her easily recognized in all of her seven original books, as well as animated versions that followed. She’s a beloved character, and parents have fallen hard for this name, in multiple spellings, from the more popular Madelyn to the oh-so-French Madeleine. (While the stories are set mostly in Paris, it’s the -line spelling on the cover of the books.) It’s not so easy to find a ready-made Madeline costume, but French schoolgirl dresses and accessories are plentiful.

MAX (#163)

The night Max wore his wolf suit and made mischief of one kind and another … So begins the beloved children’s story Where the Wild Things Are, by Maurice Sendak, complete with a dark-haired, rambunctious child named Max and an island full of mysterious, wild creatures. With many Max names in favor, it’s easy to find a favorite that shortens to wolf-suit-wearing Max – including, of course, Maxine.

PETER (#210)

Classic Peter remains relatively uncommon by today’s standards. But pick this enduring name for a son, and you’ll have plenty of Halloween costume possibilities. Peter Pan might be the most obvious, but a baby Peter Rabbit could be darling, too. And, of course your Peter – or Parker, or Miles – might love dressing up as Spider-Man.

SOFIA (#12; Sophia is #5)

Sofia the First ended its original run on Disney, but the princess remains popular. Not only can you meet her in the theme parks, but word is that a sequel series will continue this princess’ story in 2026. With so many girls named Sophia, Sofia, and Sophie, there’s no shortage of opportunities to dress up like their namesake.

WEDNESDAY (unranked)

Even before the hit Netflix series, Wednesday Addams was a relatively common Halloween costume choice. Her distinctive look is sure to be more popular than ever this spooky season. And maybe, just maybe this name will be big on birth certificates, too, ensuring future years’ of old-fashioned black dresses paired with Doc Martens and braids.

WREN (#196 for girls; #991 for boys)

Bird names are big now, especially for our daughters. If you have a Raven, Robin, or Wren, then a feathery baby bunting might be just the thing – and yes, I think dressing your Wren as, say, a flamingo is close enough to qualify.

Do your kids have names with built-in Halloween costumes?

First published on October 23, 2018, this post was updated on September 20, 2021; September 27, 2022; October 26, 2023; and October 10, 2023.