Fantasy and sci-fiction go hand in hand. And some concepts or ideas that were once considered sci-fi or fantasy have later been developed and ultimately brought to life.
So, by giving your baby one of these fantasy and sci-fi baby names, you might be inspiring them to believe that anything is possible.
50 Fantasy Boy Names With Meanings
When looking for sci-fi and fantasy baby names, we turned toward movies, books, actors, characters, and authors for inspiration.
1. Abraham
Hebrew in origin, Abraham means father of multitudes.
Abraham is a popular fantasy name. Amphibious Abraham “Abe” Sapien is a character in the Hellboy comics, and Abraham Van Helsing was the original vampire slayer long before Buffy arrived on the scene.
2. Albus
Albus, a Latin name, means bright or white.
Albus Dumbledore was the school principal or mentor many of us wish we had. He was a force of good, positivity, and loyalty in the Harry Potter books.
3. Alex
A Greek name, Alex means warrior or defender of mankind.
The gender-fluid Alex Fierro in the Magnus Chase series may be a good name choice for more progressive parents.
4. Ambrose
A Latin name, Ambrose means immortal.
Sabrina Spellman’s Cousin Ambrose is a powerful entity in his own right in the fantasy series, Chilling Adventures of Sabrina.
5. Arthur
Irish in origin, Arthur means bear or noble strength.
Your son could be named Arthur after the kindhearted Weasley dad in the Harry Potter series or in honor of badass superhero Arthur Curry, better known as Aquaman.
6. Blade
Blade is an English word that means knife or sword.
In the comic books, Blade is a vampire killer who is half-man and half-vampire. A trendy fantasy name, there are a few Blades in elementary schools across the U.S. — my daughter has one in her class.
7. Bowie
As a surname, Bowie is Scottish and Irish and can mean fair-haired or yellow.
This name is a tribute to singer David Bowie, who starred in the 1980s fantasy classic, Labyrinth, and sang the popular sci-fi anthem, Space Oddity.
8. Burton
Burton is an English habitational name, derived from burh, which means fort, and tun, which means enclosure.
LeVar Burton rocked his role and his eyepiece as Geordi La Forge on Star Trek: The Next Generation.
9. Carter
The name Carter denotes an occupation, such as someone who uses a cart or wagon to move goods, and it is of Scottish, English, and Irish origin.
Although the movie John Carter was a big flop at the box office, there was no denying the universal appeal of this lead character from the Barsoom novels by Edgar Rice Burroughs.
10. Chase
This name comes from Old French and English and has the meaning of huntsman.
Magnus Chase is a popular series of books by Percy Jackson author Rick Riordan.
11. Connor
Connor is an Irish name that means lover of hounds or lover of wolves.
The Connor family is the heart of the Terminator franchise. This name could be in honor of Sarah Connor or her son John.
12. Davy
Davy can mean different things in different countries. In Hebrew and English, it means beloved.
A fascinating character from the Pirates of the Caribbean fantasy series, Davy Jones is a great first name for people looking for a more historical fantasy name.
13. Deckard
It’s not clear what the name Deckard means, but Decker, which is quite similar, is a German occupational name for a roofer.
A pick for the Blade Runner fans out there, Deckard, in honor of Harrison Ford’s character, would make a more unusual first name.
14. Donovan
Donovan was an Irish last name that means, according to some sources, dark or brown-haired chieftain.
Mike Donovan, played by Marc Singer, was the main character in the 1980s television miniseries and subsequent regular series called V. V was about aliens coming to Earth to steal our resources, and it became a huge hit.
15. Drax
Drax was originally a surname with no clear meaning or definite origin.
In Guardians of the Galaxy, Drax is a loyal, well-muscled character. Drax is a cool fantasy name that sounds modern but not too usual.
16. Emmett
This Old German name means universal or entire.
Emmett “Doc” Brown is the wacky scientist and inventor played by Christopher Lloyd in the Back to the Future series. Naming your child after a fictional character who created time travel should be an auspicious start for your child.
17. Garrick
Garrick is Old English in origin and means spear king.
Although Garrick wasn’t a major character in the Harry Potter series, we noticed his cool-sounding name right away.
18. Harrison
This surname means son of Harry.
If Han Solo was the highlight of the Star Wars saga for you, you might want to name your boy after that character. Instead of going with Han, how about calling him the much cooler name of Harrison, in honor of Harrison Ford?
19. H.G.
This initial name doesn’t have a meaning, but as a symbol on the periodic table, it stands for mercury, which is also known as quicksilver.
From science fiction and cool fantasy name standpoint, H.G. is in reference to author H.G. Wells. Wells is sometimes referred to as the Father of Science Fiction for his many groundbreaking books written in the late 1800s, including The War of the Worlds, The Time Machine, The Invisible Man, and The Island of Doctor Moreau.
20. Ian
This Scottish name means the Lord is gracious.
Ian McKellen played Gandalf the Wizard in The Lord of the Rings movies. But Gandalf would be an over-the-top name for a baby, so perhaps Ian will do.
21. Jack
English in origin, the name Jack, like the name Ian, means God is gracious.
The Doctor Who spin-off series Torchwood features fan-favorite Captain Jack Harness. Jack could also be for other fantasy icons, such as Jack Sparrow or Jack and the Beanstalk.
22. Jackson
A popular English surname, Jackson translates to son of Jack.
Demi-god Percy Jackson is an icon for young readers. Many boys would love to know that their name inspiration came from such a powerful and creative book character.
23. Jamie
This Hebrew name means he who supplants.
Jamie Fraser, played by Sam Heughan, is one of the two leads of the romantic fantasy Outlander. A time-traveling story, Outlander is a story that spans centuries.
24. Jareth
This name was created for a movie and doesn’t have any special meaning. A close relation, the name Gareth is a Welsh name that means gentle.
The king of the goblins, Jareth was the true star of the movie Labyrinth in our eyes. Jareth makes a great alternative to the names Jarod and Jaron.
25. Jason
This Greek name means healer.
Jason Momoa breathed new life into the character of Aquaman and played the role of Khal Drogo in Game of Thrones.
26. Jon
Hebrew in origin, the name Jon means God has given.
One of the most endearing characters on Game of Thrones, Jon Snow was someone many cheered on as the underdog.
27. Kirk
Kirk, a Scottish name, means church.
James Tiberius Kirk was the original captain in the Star Trek franchise. Played by icon William Shatner, sci-fi nerds can pay tribute to the crew of the USS Enterprise and their favorite series by choosing the name Kirk.
28. Lando
With roots in Old English, Lando, an alternate to the name Landon, means long hill.
Billy Dee Williams brought diversity to Star Wars by playing Lando Calrissian. As might be expected, the character was cool and suave, much like Billy Dee Williams.
29. Leonard
An Irish name, Leonard means lion strength.
Leonard Nemoy will always be remembered for his portrayal of Spock, the Vulcan. Hopefully, your child, who could go by the more trendy nickname of Leo, will live long and prosper. Leonard was also the name of the doctor from Star Trek.
30. Lex
This is another Greek name that means warrior or man’s defender.
Lex can be a tribute to Lex Luthor, Superman’s nemesis, or a shoutout to Lexx, the science fiction television series. You can opt for this as a nickname for Alexis, Alex, or Alexander.
31. Luke
Latin in origin, Luke means light.
This could go one of two ways for sci-fi or fantasy inspiration — Luke in the Percy Jackson series or Luke Skywalker in Star Wars.
32. Mace
This English boy’s name means gift of God.
As an alternative to the more common boys’ name Mason, Mace is a shoutout to Jedi master Mace Windu. He was a character played by the incomparable Samuel L. Jackson in the Star Wars prequel.
33. Malcolm
This Scottish Gaelic name means a devotee of Saint Columba.
The name Malcolm has heavy roots in sci-fi and fantasy — Malcolm Reynolds is from Firefly and Serenity or Malcolm Merlyn is a player in the Green Arrow universe.
34. Max
Max, which is Latin in origin, means greatest.
Mad Max is a sci-fi tale you either love or hate. But despite your feelings on it, there’s no debating about how cool the name Max is. It can be a standalone name or short for Maximilian or Maxwell.
35. Montgomery
This name came from a surname of English, Irish, and Scottish origins and has no clear meaning.
This name can be a tribute to Star Trek’s Montgomery Scott, better known as Scotty, on the USS Enterprise.
36. Mulder
An occupational name that comes from Germany, Mulder means maker of wooden bowls.
The X-Files gave science fiction enthusiasts years of entertainment and theories to explore. Fox Mulder and Dana Scully were their heroes.
37. Murphy
Murphy was an Irish surname that comes from a more ancient name, O’Murchadha, which means descendant of sea warrior.
Alex Murphy is better known by his cyborg name, RoboCop. Murphy makes for a tough-sounding boys’ sci-fi name.
38. Nicholas
Nicholas stems from Greek origins and means victory of the people.
Nicholas, or Nick, Scratch is Sabrina Spellman’s boyfriend in the Chilling Adventures of Sabrina.
39. Patrick
Patrick comes from Patricius, a Latin name that means nobleman.
If you want to name your child after your favorite Starfleet captain, it may be best to go with Patrick in honor of the actor, Patrick Stewart, who portrayed him. His character’s name, Jean-Luc Picard, might not work well for a baby in the U.S.
40. Peter
A Greek name, Peter comes from Petros, which means stone or rock.
If you’re the type who likes to explore ghostly haunts, why not name your child Peter after Bill Murray’s ghostbusting character in the movies Ghostbusters? For fantasy fans, it can also be a nod to Peter Pan or Peter Quill from Guardians of the Galaxy.
41. Ray
An English name, Ray can mean beam of light or protecting hands, depending upon which source you believe.
Ray Bradbury was one of the U.S.’s most popular science fiction and fantasy writers. Bradbury, who died in 2012, lived long enough to learn that a digitized copy of his The Martian Chronicles was brought to Mars in 2008 by NASA’s Phoenix Mars Lander.
42. Roarke
Irish and Gaelic in origin, Roarke means champion.
Mr. Roarke was the heart and soul of Fantasy Island. A tough-sounding fantasy name, Roarke could be given an alternate spelling, such as Ruark or Roark.
43. Sam
Sam is a Hebrew name that means name of God, but it also has a Persian meaning that stands for a character in Shahnameh.
This baby name could be given in honor of Samwise Gangee, a loyal and true Hobbit friend to Frodo Baggins.
44. Serling
Serling doesn’t have any particular meaning or origin, but a closely-related name, Sterling, which is an English name, means genuine.
As the creator of The Twilight Zone, Rod Serling delighted audiences. Rod is a standard first name for boys, so it might be better to go with the more unusual name of Serling.
45. Sisko
A Finnish name, Sislo means sister.
If Deep Space Nine is your sci-fi jam, the name Sisko might appeal to you. Captain Benjamin Sisko is the Federation space station captain of Deep Space Nine. An alternative spelling, Cisco, would give you the character of Cisco Ramon, a scientific genius, in The Flash television series on the CW network.
46. Turner
This Scottish and English occupational name was given to those who make objects from metal, wood, or bone.
Will Turner, played by Orlando Bloom, was the clear hero of the Pirates of the Caribbean saga in our eyes.
47. Tyrion
Tyrion was a name created for the Game of Thrones book series.
Most people were rooting for Tyrion Lannister to come out near or on the top in the television series Game of Thrones. We didn’t just fall in love with the character, but also the name. As a nickname, you could go with Ty or even Ryan.
48. Verne
Verne is an Old French name that means alder grove or dweller among the ferns.
Jules Verne, like H.G. Wells, is an author who is often called the Father of Science Fiction. Verne, who was French, wrote groundbreaking science fiction and fantasy books in the latter part of the 1800s, including Journey to the Center of the Earth and Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea.
49. Victor
This Latin name means conqueror or winner.
Victor Frankenstein is the scientist who brings the creature to life in Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein. Although it’s an older name, it remains popular each year, coming in at number 186 in 2019.
50. Westley
Old English in origin, Westley means western meadow.
The hero of the book The Princess Bride, Westley is a great name for a boy and a dashing role model.
Fantasy Names for Girls With Meanings
Girls can rock fantasy and sci-fi names, too. It’s not just a category reserved for boys. Why should boys get to have all the fun? Here are 50 sci-fi and fantasy names girls can use.
51. Alia
Alia is of Arabic origin and means exalted or supreme.
In Dune, Alia was born on a planet called Arrakis. She develops followers and becomes known as St. Alia of the Knife.
52. Anastasia
Anastasia is a Greek name that means resurrection.
Although this name is especially popular in Russia, it makes this list because of Anastasia “Dee” Dualla from Battlestar Galactica.
53. Alanna
Alanna, when it comes from Gaelic origins, means beauty or serenity, but the name in Old High German means precious.
Alanna is the main character from The Lioness Quartet, a fantasy book series by Tamora Pierce. It is a moderately popular name, reaching number 529 in 2019 in the U.S.
54. Annabeth
This Hebrew name means God has favored me.
Annabeth Chase from the Percy Jackson novels was the daughter of Athena, making her a demigod — half-goddess and half-mortal.
55. Arabella
Arabella is a Latin name that means yielding to prayer.
This name from the Harry Potter series would make an excellent girls’ name. Bella could be used as a nickname if you prefer something shorter for day-to-day use.
56. Ariel
In Hebrew, this name means lioness of God.
What little girl who grew up in the 1990s and 2000s didn’t pretend to be Ariel, the Little Mermaid, every time she went swimming? It’s the ultimate girls’ fantasy.
57. Arya
A Persian name in origin, Arya means faithful or friend.
Many people fell in love with this name because of the television show Game of Thrones. It zoomed up the charts because of this television series, climbing each year. In 2010, it debuted on the U.S. name popularity chart at number 942 and by 2019, it was 92.
58. Avalon
Coming from the times of Arthurian legend, the meaning of Avalon is island of apples.
Arthurian fantasy buffs know Avalon is believed to be the final resting place of King Arthur. It’s a regal sounding fantasy name for girls.
59. Belle
Belle is French in origin and means beautiful.
Belle from Beauty and the Beast is intelligent, bookish, and entirely loyal. Although Bella and Isabelle are both popular names, Belle barely made its way onto the 1,000 most popular names list the past four years.
60. Brienne
This name has roots in Gaelic or Irish and means noble, high, or exalted.
Brienne of Tarth was one of the fiercest warriors on Game of Thrones. Brienne is a wonderful twist to the more common spelling of Brianne, and similar names like Brianna and Brie.
61. Claire
Of French origin, Claire means clear or bright.
Women swoon over the fantasy romance Outlander, both in books and the television series. Claire Randall is the main character, and Claire is a classic name that has remained popular for decades, landing at number 55 in 2019.
62. Clara
Clara is a Latin name that means famous or bright.
The role of Clara Oswald was portrayed by actress Jenna Coleman in the television show Doctor Who, a fantasy favorite.
63. Clarisse
The name Clarisse comes from Latin and means famous or bright.
In the Percy Jackson books, Clarisse La Rue is the daughter of Ares. As a girls’ name, Clarisse is classy sounding and not overused.
64. Coraline
This Latin and English name means coral.
Coraline is the name of a 2009 fantasy-horror animated film. If Coraline seems a bit long, you can opt for Cora as a nickname.
65. Dana
Dana is a Persian name, meaning wise.
Dana Scully is pragmatic, brave, and data-driven. She’s an icon from The X-Files and a great name for a girl you hope will be analytical.
66. Diana
Diana is a Latin name that means fertile or divine.
Fantasy fans who enjoy comic books may love the name Diana, since it is Wonder Woman’s secret identity. Diana has been a popular name for decades, ranking number 212 in the U.S. in 2019.
67. Echo
This name was featured in Greek mythology and means reverberating sound.
Echo was the central character in the sci-fi television show called Dollhouse, and the role was played by Eliza Dushku.
68. Elektra
Electra is a Greek name that means bright or shining.
Elektra Natchios is a favorite of some fantasy fans for her role in comic books as a vigilante and love interest of Daredevil.
69. Elizabeth
Elizabeth is a Hebrew name that means pledged to God.
Elizabeth Swann was a role model for girls who watched the Pirates of the Caribbean series.
70. Ellen
Another Greek name, Ellen means light.
The first name of Ripley in the Alien series, Ellen would make a good alternative for more traditional parents, and Ellie
71. Elora
This name is listed as a variation of Eleanor, which is an Old German and Old French name meaning foreign or other.
Elora Danan was a baby in the 1980s fantasy movie Willow. This would make for an unusual girls’ name for fantasy enthusiasts.
72. Eowyn
Eowyn is an English girl’s name that means horse of joy.
Author J.R.R. Tolkien created this name for his The Lord of the Rings series. This name is pronounced Ay-oh-win.
73. Eretria
A town in Greece, Eretria is a place name.
The fantasy series, The Shannara Chronicles, features a heroine named Eretria. This would be a wonderful choice for parents looking for a unique fantasy name not many other girls have.
74. Freya
This Norse name means a noblewoman.
As a Norse god and a character in the Magnus Chase books, Freya is an excellent pick for those who want their daughter to have a powerful fantasy name. Freya is a trending name pick, having been on the U.S. popularity charts for seven years. It’s been gaining traction, placing at number 200 in 2019.
75. Harker
An English surname, Harker has no clear meaning but is believed to be a combination of the surnames Hart and Kerr.
Those looking for an unusual fantasy name may want to consider Harker. Mina Harker was the main character in the novel Dracula. Harker is a less popular alternative to the name Harper, which is super popular right now.
76. Harley
Harley is an Old English name, meaning hare’s meadow.
We can all agree that Harley Quinn is crazy. But the name Harley is an awesome choice for a girl, particularly if the mom or dad is a motorcycle fan. In 2019, it ranked number 273.
77. Helene
French in origin, Helene means shining or bright.
Helene Wecker made the bestseller list in 2013 with her historical fantasy book The Golem and the Jinni.
78. Isabeau
Of French origin, Isabeau means pledged to God.
Isabeau, played by Michelle Pfeiffer, was the main female lead in the 1980s fantasy movie Ladyhawke. Although an unusual name, Isabeau would fit right in with all the Isabelles out there.
79. Jyn
American in origin, Jyn has no clean meaning but is quite similar to the Chinese word, jin, which means gold.
John Knoll created the character of Jyn Erso for Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. Jyn was developed to be a role model for Knoll’s daughters.
80. Kara, from Supergirl
A name that’s Greek in origin, Kara means chaste or pure.
Kara Danvers is better known as Supergirl. The name Kara is rather popular at number 575 in 2019, but no so much that you’ll run into many other girls with the same name.
81. Korra
Korra is a Greek word that means maiden.
Korra was given her own animated television show, The Legend of Korra, as the sequel to Avatar: The Last Airbender.
82. Jules
Of French origin, the name Jules means downy or youthful.
A fresh alternative to more commonly used names like Julie, Juliette, and Jewel, Jules can be a nod to the genius of Jules Verne. Some of the inventions Verne writes about in his books later became reality, including electrical submarines, a trip to the moon, tasers, newscasts, and skywriting.
83. Lara
A Latin name, Lara means protection.
The fantasy video game franchise Tomb Raider features butt-kicking Lara Croft as the main character. In the original movie series based on the video game, Angelina Jolie played Croft.
84. Lucy
A Latin name, Lucy means light.
One of the four Pevensie siblings to find Narnia through the wardrobe, Lucy has a more current sounding name than her older sister Susan.
85. Luna
This beautiful Italian name means moon.
The Harry Potter fantasy books inspired many name trends. One of the names in the books that has taken off since includes Luna, which was ranked at an all-time high of number 16 in 2019.
86. Lyra
Lyra is a Greek name that means lyre.
A recent addition to the U.S. baby names popularity chart, Lyra debuted on the charts in 2015 and has continually ranked higher each year. Lyra is a central character in the fantasy
tale The Golden Compass.
87. Madeleine
A French name, Madeleine means woman from Magdala.
Madeleine L’Engle wrote the classic science fantasy book A Wrinkle in Time. The book references a lot of scientific components, including quantum theory and the theory of relativity.
88. Malka
A Hebrew name, Malka means queen of heaven.
If you want to name your daughter after a female science fiction writer, you could opt for this name in honor of Malka Older, the author of Infomocracy.
89. Mina
Mina is a German name that means love.
The name Mina has been used in fantasy tales, such as Dracula, which introduced the character of Mina Harker. Mina Harker also makes an appearance in the film The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen. The name Mina first appeared on the popularity charts in 2002, although it has never reached too high, ranking at number 684 in 2019.
90. Molly
A Hebrew name, Molly means bitter.
Molly is one of the main characters in Jonathan Auxier’s horror-fantasy kids’ novel, The Night Gardener. There are several famous women with this name, including actresses Molly Ringwald and Molly Shannon.
91. Morgana
This English name means sea circle.
From the fantasy Arthurian legend, Morgana Le Fay is often shown as a villain, but it’s nice to see a strong, powerful woman, even if she’s a bit naughty at times.
92. Nova
Nova is a Latin name that means new.
Nova is not one of the main characters in Guardians of the Galaxy, but many parents agree that Nova would make for a wonderful sci-fi or fantasy name for a girl. It was ranked number 51 in 2019 and has climbed steadily since making it onto the popularity charts for the first time in 2011 at number 886.
93. Prudence
Prudence is a Latin name that means good judgment.
A popular fantasy witch name, Prudence was a witch’s name in Chilling Adventures of Sabrina and Charmed.
94. Quinn
An Irish name, Quinn means descendent of Conn.
Quinn, another alternative for Harley Quinn fans, can be a unisex name. It’s more popular for girls, coming in at number 83 in 2019, than for boys, where it ranked number 402 in 2019.
95. Ravenna
An Italian name, Ravenna means raven.
Although she isn’t nice, Charlize Theron’s character in Snow White and The Huntsman has a fierce name. It would be good for parents who want a bad-ass fantasy name for their daughter.
96. Rey
Rey is Spanish in origin and means king.
Rey Skywalker is the protagonist in Star Wars: The Force Awakens. Although it’s still an uncommon name to hear, it has enjoyed almost 20 years on the popularity charts as a boys’ name. We’re betting Rey Skywalker will change that, bringing more girls to this name.
97. Sarah
In Persian and Hebrew, Sarah means princess or woman of high rank.
Girls growing up in the 1980s wanted to be Sarah Williams from the fantasy movie Labyrinth.
98. Valerie
This Latin name means healthy or strong.
Valerie is a name familiar to fans of The Princess Bride. The character, portrayed by Carol Kane, was the wife of Miracle Max.
99. Willow
Willow is an English name that means graceful or slender.
This name scores double fantasy points. It’s the name of the 1980s fantasy movie starring Warwick Davis and Val Kilmer. Plus, Willow is the name of Buffy the Vampire Slayer’s bestie.
100. Zoe
A Greek name, Zoe means life.
Zoe Saldana plays Gamora in the Guardians of the Galaxy franchise and Zoe Kravitz will make an appearance as Catwoman in the new Batman movie.
The Name Game
Names have the ability to inspire. The name you choose for your child could encourage them to embrace science and creativity.
Who knows? You might lead them on the path to greatness just by choosing a sci-fi or fantasy name for them.
