Let’s talk about strong girl names inspired by Hermione.
Have you heard this quote from Stephen King?
Harry Potter is about confronting fears, finding inner strength and doing what is right in the face of adversity. Twilight is about how important it is to have a boyfriend.
A friend – the father of daughters – texted the quote to me a few weeks ago, and I replied:
May our daughters be Hermiones, instead of Bellas.
Of course, I know some lovely girls called Isabella. A name like Elisabetta or Valentina or Lacey or Tess doesn’t imply that you can’t grow up to be a physicist. But I think there are parents out there looking for a name like Hermione – offbeat, unexpected, brainy, strong – in hopes that their daughter will grow up to be just like that.
The same logic can prompt parents to use conventionally masculine names, a conventionally feminine name with a boyish short form, or a modern choice like Rowan.
But if you’re looking names inspired by Hermione, here are a few options – vintage, but not delicate, and clunky, but still cool.
Inspired by Hermione: Agnes
Current US popularity rank: unranked
Jennifer Connelly and Paul Bettany chose this name for their daughter, Agnes Lark. But Agnes still seems lost in the back of the antique shop. Worn by an ancient virgin martyr, a popular choice in the Middle Ages, and a nineteenth-century revival, it’s been little heard in recent decades. And yet short form Aggie fits right in with Abby and Addie, suggesting that this name but perfectly wearable, too. Agatha is another one to consider.
Inspired by Hermione: Beatrice
Current US popularity rank: #559; Beatrix is unranked
Call Beatrice the ultimate proof that smart, brainy names can make a quiet comeback. Boosted by a British princess as well as characters like Mo Willems’ Trixie of Knuffle Bunny fame, Beatrice once seemed frumpy, but today feels like the kind of name that you’re suddenly hearing everywhere. It occupies a space formerly owned by Charlotte, and slowly being vacated by Eleanor – the go-to name for parents seeking something enduring, but not as common as Katherine.
Inspired by Hermione: Claudia
Current US popularity rank: #761
An ancient name that feels equally right for a villain or a heroine, Claudia could fit right in with stylish -ia enders like Olivia and Amelia. Claudette Colbert offers up some old Hollywood glam with a French twist, but Claudia seems like the more substantial choice.
Inspired by Hermione: Damaris
Current US popularity rank: unranked
A New Testament name with a certain Puritan vibe, Damaris has actually been more popular in recent years than you might expect, charting in the US Top 1000 every year since 1992. This Patrick Wolf track tipped me to something I hadn’t realized: it’s pronounced DAM er is, not the more delicate da MER is. It almost makes me like this one more.
Inspired by Hermione: Esther
Current US popularity rank: #183
An Old Testament heroine, a former first daughter, and the name chosen by Material Girl Madonna when she embraced the study of Kabbalah, Esther has always been in the public eye. It’s also rarely been out of the US Top 300, and feels rather stylish today. It ranked #267 in 2010, but had climbed to #183 by 2016. Like the chart-topping Stella, Esther can be linked to the word star. It also fits right in with all of those -r ending choices, like Harper and Piper
Inspired by Hermione: Fern
Current US popularity rank: unranked
Fern makes for a homespun, almost humble choice when compared to showier botanicals like Violet and Rose. It’s also the name of the girl who so famously saves little Wilbur in the novel Charlotte’s Web. Call Fern a no-nonsense nature name with a stripe of the heroic. If Wren makes the current US Top 1000, why not Fern?
Inspired by Hermione: Gretchen
Current US popularity rank: unranked
Gretchen Rubin, the bestselling author of The Happiness Project, gives this name a certain joyfulness. Gretchen comes from Margaret – definitely a smart classic for a daughter – but it stands on its own. The gruff, growly Gr combination and -er ending makes this one sound like a girl with a backbone.
Read more about Gretchen here.
Inspired by Hermione: Harriet
Current US popularity rank: unranked
Nickname Hattie has climbed the charts in recent years, leaving Harriet behind. But while Hattie feels sassy and spirited, Harriet sounds more like the Hermione name. Harriet is an abolitionist, an aviatrix, a spy. From Harriet Tubman to the fictional Harriet Vane, the women who have answered to this name are a daring, accomplished bunch.
Inspired by Hermione: Hermione
Current US popularity rank: unranked
Remember when Hermione dated Quidditch player Viktor Krum, and try as he might, he couldn’t properly pronounce her name? Thanks to the character’s fame, that would never happen in real life. The Harry Potter heroine isn’t the first literary Hermione, either. In Greek myth, the name belongs to the daughter of Helen, and has enjoyed occasional use over the centuries. Today your daughter might be asked if she’s named after the brave, bright witch from J.K. Rowling’s series – but that’s not really a bad thing.
Read more about Hermione here.
Inspired by Hermione: Imogen
Current US popularity rank: unranked
It started out as Shakespeare’s typo – he read Innogen’s double ‘n’ as an ‘m.’ Popular in the UK and Australia, but seldom-heard in the US, Imogen feels strong, distinctive, and nicely balanced between the familiar and the unexpected. And doesn’t it sound inspired by Hermione, too?
Inspired by Hermione: Jerusha
Current US popularity rank: unranked
A J overlooked even at peak Jennifer-and-Jessica, Jerusha manages to sound modern and old school at the same time. A minor character in the Bible, this name pops up over the years in surprising places, like filmmaker Jerusha Hess – one-half of the husband and wife team responsible for Napoleon Dynamite. Jerusha’s ‘oo’ sound is right at home with other smart, slightly off-center names like Lucy and Ruby – all while being far more rare.
Inspired by Hermione: Leocadia
Current US popularity rank: unranked
An obscure Spanish saint, Leocadia feels an awful lot like Hermione. It’s a heavy name, starting with a conventionally masculine syllable, followed by a lighter, feminine ending. In many ways, they fit with the far more familiar Alexandra and Victoria. It’s an elaborate alternative to Leah, and more rooted than the equally heroic Leia.
Read more about Leocadia here.
That’s A through L. M through Z is available here! Are there other names inspired by Hermione that should be on this list? Do you think these names are wearable, or do they feel a little too antique or obscure?
Note: This post was published on December 1, 2011. Following substantial revision, it was reposted for International Women’s Day on March 8, 2018.
I cannot believe this post is 6 (!!!) years old!! Time flies! Great list.
Thanks!! I know – where do the years go?
It’s so much fun to read the love for Agnes. Our first is Agnes (Agnès) and her sisters are Irène and Édith. This list and the reader suggestions was made for us. 🙂
We chose the names for the non-frilly/strong but very feminine qualities. Also, since far too many of my friends and roommates (think: Deborah, Marta, Sarah, Krista, Marissa, Rebecca, Emma, Deanna, etc, broken up by 3 Lizzes, some Jenns, and a Meg) had names ending in « a » I made a hard rule that the first names of my girls could not end with the A sound. It was too ridiculous for too long. Lol.
What gorgeous, gorgeous names, Vanessa!
Jane is one I would add here.
Maredith, Margaret, and Ruth for M-Z.
I love Agatha/Aggie. I’ve heard it in movies like nanny McPhee and the new beauty and the beast, and the literary Agatha Christie is a great brainy girl reference (full name Agatha Mary Clarissa Christie). I have yet to run across a little Agatha/Aggie in real life but would love too!….
Fantastic list! I would add Ingrid.
I love Imogene!
I love this post! Hermione has been on my “Names I wish I could use but probably can’t” list ever since I read the books (as an adult–missed out as a kid). It makes me happy that it’s an acceptable name now. Maybe by the time we have a girl I can convince my husband. I love everything Hermione stands for. I do love these other names, especially put in context with this post.
I named my daughter Hermione Penelope. I love saying her name to her. I tell her playfully, Her my one, as in only girl. We also call her Penny, more common and easy for people. So I recommend just giving her a common name too so she can be unique or mainstream whenever she wants.
Abby, please post the sequel to this post soon, I LOVE this type of name!!! (Actually, I’m not a huge fan of old lady names like Gretchen and Agnes, but the others are perfect).
I should have mentioned it in my last comment, but how about adding Daria and Quinn to the list? And yes, I do mean the Morgendorfer girls. I think most of my favorite names come from tv shows because I was raised by tv.
I remember being exposed to some of these uncommon names in books I read when I was a kid! Does anyone else remember the childrens book Imogene’s Antlers? And there was a talking rat named Hermione in one of the Secret of NIMH novels… like Vikor Krum, I had never heard it before, and pronounced it like Hermy-own.
I also remember an Elspeth from I Left My Sneakers in Dimension X… anyone?
How about my favorite name of the moment, Ursula? I think it would fit perfectly in the next installment!
Your “let our daughters” quote needs to be on a bumper sticker!
24 years ago my wife and I named our daughter Irene, a name I am still very fond of.
I wanted to say “Cheers!” to Catherine for suggesting Sorcha: it’s my 2 year-old daughter’s name, and she is definitely a Hermione.
I love the intention behind the quote, but I think it goes beyond names: let us *raise* our daughters to be Hermiones, and don’t just stop at naming them such. But to go one step further, I wouldn’t mind if my daughter was a little bit Katniss, too 🙂
It’s like this post was written with me in mind! Can I add Helena, Virginia, Rosamund, Elspeth, Marina, Iona, Theodora, Verity and Blythe.
Since you basically cracked open my brain and posted my list of favorite names, I’ll just let you know you forgot Lucasta.
Jillian, I think I love you!! Lucasta is one of my all time favourite names and you’re the first person I’ve met who also loves it!
you seem to be channeling this (awesome) quote by j.k. rowling herself:
“I
I must be! I came across that quote last night while I was looking for something else … I don’t recall seeing it before, but I am absolutely in love with it now.
Out of curiosity, I wonder why Astrid and Ingrid are so beloved nowadays and not Sigrid?
I think Sigrid is just less well known. I adore Sigrid – my sister had a Sigrid in her class, and I was always very jealous of that name.
Ooh, love Sigrid too! Was going to mention it above, but thought I’d save it for next week’s edition. It’s the only S name that I really like.
My daughter’s middle name is Sigrid, so I obviously I love the name. The mythical Queen Sigrid the Haughty, should definitely put Sigrid on any list of powerful, determined women.
I think Ingrid and Astrid are more accessible due to our familiarity with Ingrid Bergman and Astrid Lindgren. In my experience, many people confuse Sigrid with Seigfried, so that’s one of the reasons we kept it in the middle. But who knows, maybe Apple’s Siri will help make Sigrid feel more familiar?
Signe/Signy is another one that I love. There was a guy named Bjorn in my class all the way through school and I always thought he had a really cool name.
My cousin named her baby girl Siri – and she is cute as a button (also they have a very Norse last name)
I love Sigrid too! Very much a fan of all things Scandinavian/Germanic. And S names! Looking forward to the second part of this post. Happy New Year! x
I personally love Ingrid. Astrid is ok. Sigrid, not so much. I think Julie is right – Sigrid looks/sounds a lot like Siegfried. I also get a really strong Sigmund Freud feel from Sigrid.
I agree that on sound alone it doesn’t really make sense, but our familiarity with Ingrid Bergman and Astrid Lindgren do make those names seem more feminine than Sigrid.
Harriet Vane is also the name of an awesome character from Dorothy Sayers’ detective novels from the 1930s. I would add Penelope, Josephine, Judith and Simone to your list.
I know this is random, but when I hear the name Harriet, I always think of Harriet the Spy. Even though I have never actually read the books. 🙂
Love the quote. I’ve read both series (well, Twilight more for the purpose of making fun of it) and it’s spot on. Agnes, Claudia, and Hermione are my favorites from the list, and I’d add Ingrid, Astrid, Vivian, Leonie, Margaret, Louisa, and Josephine.
This is such a good list (and I love that Stephen King quote too.) For the later letters… Ottilie? Or Romilly? Vivian, maybe?
I love Romilly and Vivian! Great suggestions!
Woah! Kinda like reading my lists from my pregnancies (with a few missing and a few there that weren’t on mine, but really, really close). Beatrix Fern was the combination we were most sold on had my second been a girl. Looking forward to M through Z! Hermione is so wonderful… I’d wouldn’t have the ovaries to use it currently, but perhaps in a few decades… maybe I’ll have a grandchild named Hermione in 20 or 30 odd years…
Arthur LOVES the name Hermione. He read this post over my shoulder and asked Clio if she would’ve liked to be Hermione. At 3, I don’t think she understands that her name was a choice, so she was horrified by the suggestion. He’d be over the moon if we had a granddaughter called Hermione … in a few more decades!
I’d like to add Gertrude, Leontine, and Aurelia to the list.
Gertrude is a frills free name that has been in use since the Middle Ages. She feels strong and kick-ass to me, plus nicknames Trudy and True give her schoolyard appeal.
Leontine is a feminization of Leo or Leon that feels smart and clunky to me. I don’t know how long it’s been in usage or anything I’ve only ever heard it on Leontyne Price the opera singer. When I picture a Leontine, I picture a somewhat nerdy or tomboyish little girl who goes by Leo or Leon.
Aurelia feels like Amelia and Claudia to me. I pronounce it Uh-rail-ya or Aw-rail-ya. It’s an ancient name dating back to the Romans meaning “golden.” I like the idea of using Goldie for a nickname or alternatively Aurie. The French form is Aurelie which feels just as wearable.
I ADORE Leontine! I hadn’t really think of it as a “strong” name, but the meaning definitely gives it that umpf!
I have always loved Agnes and never thought she sounded old-fashioned in the least. Agnes Lark is one of my favorite celeb baby names ever. And I would totally add Ingrid to the list.
I was going to comment with the names I like or are on my list, but 99% are- including the ones brought up in the comments. Strong girl names are a must-have. But so also is raising your girl to be strong, whatever her name.
“Strong girl names are a must-have. But so also is raising your girl to be strong, whatever her name.” – I couldn’t agree more!
I really like Beatrice. Definitely one that I would use. I’m sure it will be rising the charts, as it’s underused right now. Bea is such a cute nickname too. I like Dorothy a lot too, which could be classed as clunky-cool too. 🙂
Hermione is also a character in Shakespeare’s _The Winter’s Tale_. Before Harry Potter, I had considered her in a middle name slot, possibly even as a first name, as it could be shortened to Mina (with a long i), which is my mother’s name. As it turns out, I never had a girl anyway, so it wasn’t an issue.
Hermione also crops up in the works of Agatha Christie and P.G. Wodehouse — such a great name!
Great list with probably my favourite genre of girls names, inspired me to do my own;
Augusta
Beatrix
Cordelia
Daphne
Eleanor
Frances
Geraldine
Hestor
Ingrid
Jennifer
Katrin
Lydia
Morwenna
Noor
Olive
Persephone
Quin
Rowena
Seren
Thora
Ursula
Violet
Wilhemina
Xanthe
Yvaine
Zora
Yay for having Jennifer on the list! To me this name outshines its peers in so many ways, not the least of which is its evolution over time. It’s rooted in really substantial names (Gwenhwyvar, Guinevere) and has evolved into something really modern and pretty. The combination of /j/, /f/, and /r/ sounds make it unusual, and it doesn’t sound like any other name at all!
Augusta is an awesome addition which I wouldn’t have expected, and I love the Anne of Green Gables reference of Cordelia!
Leocadia is interesting. I have to say I’ve never heard it before. I like Beatrice, Claudia, Hermione, and Imogen. The others aren’t for me.
I’ve never been a fan of the Fluffy Trixiebella names, so this series is right up my alley.
Thinking of strong, heroic girls, I went Scandinavian with my list:
Lisbeth, as in the character in the The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.
Astrid, the fierce Viking girl from How to Train Your Dragon.
Anya, the reformed vengeance demon from Buffy the vampire slayer.
Ilsa, Ingrid Bergman’s character in Casablanca.
Astrid is also both my SCA persona’s name and my Nord Paladin’s name in Skyrim. I adore this name.
My Breton thief is called Eithne. I love naming characters!
Julie, I also love Ilsa. Everyone seems to fawn over Elsa and Elsie but Ilsa gets overlooked 🙁
I love Elsie, but Ilse has been growing on me lately. I also love Ailsa. Elsa would be the runner up to those two (I probably like Ailsa a bit more than Ilse). But, it seems to me that Ilse/Ailsa/Elsa have a very feminine soft sound, which is very different to me from names like Hermione or Ingrid (which I love). No real clunkiness to them, just old-fashioned.
So glad you suggested Astrid! That’s my daughter’s name and part of the reason we chose it is its strength. She’s a big fan of Hermione Granger so she’d be thrilled to be included in a list with her.
No surprise that I love lots of the others on this list: Harriet, Imogen, Hermione, Agnes, Beatrice (prefer Beatrix, though), and Fern.
I’d definitely recommend Maud for inclusion in the M-Z installment.
Ooh, I love Fern and Imogen. I also love this article. I adore J. K. Rowling and her ideas and insights. I completely agree with your text message; here’s to a world of Hermiones!
This list is just my style! I love Beatrice, and hope to use it someday.
And I’d like to think that my Penelope would make the M-Z list!
Penelope came to mind for me too…And Phoebe. Looking forward to seeing them on the M-Z list.
My name’s Bella (not short for anything, just Bella), and I identify much more with Miss Granger than Miss Swan. While having the obvious ‘beauty’ meaning, I also like to associate it with the Latin word ‘bellum’ meaning ‘war’ (I don’t think there’s any real etymological connection there, but I think its cool).
Bella, I kind of love that idea!
Oh, others I think fit the bill? Anneliese, Bryony or Briony, Gwen, Lenora, and Olive.
I LOVE Briony/Bryony and Lenora. I love Maud too and Lucy.
Bryony is a great name, I love its rhythmic sound. It definitely fits in with the names on this list!
Twilight isn’t about how important it is to have a boyfriend, Stephen King. I’ll admit to not having read any of the books, but I’ve seen the first three movies (should I be ashamed?!) and I guess I always thought Twilight, and more importantly Bella’s persona, was about being true to yourself and owning your own dreams and desires, even if other people think you’re wrong. Anyway…
Stephen King has a great name. Just simple and to-the-point, slightly dressy, slightly casual. Fabulous. Stephen, pronounced Stefan, is nice, too…
Hermione is the perfect mix of smarts and sass. I adore it, and names like it. My favorite, Eliza, has a similar feel to it, though she’s perhaps a little more ladylike. Off this list, Agnes and Fern are my favorites. I really do believe Agnes Lark – just my type of name! – is the most fabulous baby girl name of 2011. Amazing! And Fern? Boy, I’ve tried to fit her in somehow, and maybe I’ll try a little harder, because she just gives me a warm and sunny feeling, like Faye, but with a little nature punch. Plus, Charlotte’s Web? Can’t pass that up – although Charlotte is my favorite name from it.
I have read the books, even liked them, and they are most certainly about how important it is to have a boyfriend.
Tayla, I’ve read the books, too – I raced through them, completely enjoyed them – but haven’t see the movies. I wonder if Bella is different in the movies? Ack! Now I need to go watch all of them …
I just can’t like Edward and Bella. They are far too needy and immature. You need to work by yourself. You can’t “need” another person to make you ok. No other person can live up to that. The books (and movies) portray an unhealthy relationship of dependence and dishonesty and call it true love. That said, I also loved and raced through the books. The story line is great.
This style is right up my alley. From this list, I like Beatrice, Claudia, Harriet, Hermione, Imogen, and Leocadia.
Regarding Imogene, I think it’s not far off from becoming more acceptable. There is an upcoming movie called Imogene which might make it more accessible to the general public. I just hope that means I don’t have to retire Imogen from my list due to popularity!
My daughter’s name is on this list, and for exactly this reason. I want her to have the name of a heroine — a strong and brave and intelligent and powerful and fascinating woman.
For those who like Agnes, my I also recommend Annis, which is a Scandanavian form, and a bit softer on the tongue.
To me, Esther is just simply beautiful without having to try too hard while Leocadia screams out courage and strength – which is why I would opt for something in between. Eloise is stunning. Paradoxically, she is both elegant and fierce but brainy sounding, too!
Lovely names and certainly my style, slightly unusual in most cases but with strong histories. I think my younger two girls have the clunky cool vibe.
From the list I really like Fern, Hermione and Claudia.
Looking forward to see M-Z
Agnes nn Aggie has been on my list a long time and Imogen is a new addition.
I’ve been seeing Beatrice and the literary Beatrix everywhere lately. I just hope it doesn’t lead to little girls called Trixie *cringe*
A name on my list that is Hermione-esqe and a bit more wearable than Leocadia is Leona. A few I’d like to add would be Althea, Cordelia/Cornelia, Daphne, Evangelie/Evangeline & Georgiana.
I’ve just finished reading the new YA novel, Divergent, by Veronica Roth, and the main character is named Beatrice. She undergoes a transformation of sorts, and decides to complete the change by going by the name “Tris” instead. I thought the nn was kind of cool for Beatrice.
I thought of another edition for the second list: Sorcha! It’s Irish/Scottish Gaelic (both countries use it) in origin, means “Brightness” and with the “ch” having a k pronunciation, I think it sounds spunky and fierce and has a great meaning.
Leocadia made me think of Arcadia or Acadia or Arkady as names. I was going to mention Edith, too, although I think Edie might spike first. Agnes could also have nn Annie or Nessie, which I find more appealing than Aggie (makes me think of A&M universities). Greta might appeal if one finds Gretchen too much. The Claud- names were on our discussion list for a while, and I still like them. Harriet was also on our list for a while.
Oh Agnes! My gr-grandmother was named Mary Agnes and it’s always struck me as so beautiful. I also love Frances, Helen and Ingrid, all of whom would fit in with this list. As for M-Z, I second the nomination of Tamsin and add Maris and Ruth.
Oooh, yes, LOVE Ingrid!
Agnes is beautiful…Jennifer Connelly’s Agnes Lark is such a beautifully named celeb baby this year….did you read the article about Agnes B in Vanity Fair recently? What a wonder.
I also like Leonie for a smarty choice.
Great post. One name I love which I believe falls into the clunky-but-cool (while still delicate and feminine) category is Edith — such a delightful name! For that matter, I think that Bridget also meets the requirements.
As for Damaris, I think her pronunciation depends on where you are. I grew up saying dah-MAIR-iss and hearing everyone else say the name that way too.
Agnes and Agatha were already on my list. I was surprised to see I hadn’t added Gretchen. Harriet would be an option if it weren’t for my last name. Harry mylastname would be horrible to saddle on a child.
Thank you for this post! This is the exact reason why we are using Agatha and the exact reason why Imogen is our runner up. I feel like I am building up to using Hermione, slowly but surely.
I can’t wait to read m-z!
I hope Tamsin makes it on the M-Z list! Ditto for Nora. And I’d add Enid to this list (the Enid in Arthurian legend is a spunky lass). I swoon over Imogen (and Esme) and Damaris. Plus Harriet could also be a nod for Harry himself ;). Another “Oo” name that originates from the British Isles is Una (ya there’s also the Oona spelling but I don’t like the double Oo at the beginning, it looks weird to me :P)
I find Harriet really endearing, but I can understand why she doesn’t do well in an American accent.
Esther is a nostalgic favourite of mine – I had a beloved teacher called Esther.