5 Common First Names Invented by Writers

Cedric, Ivanhoe, by Sir Walter Scott
In the modern day, Ivanhoe might get more credit for introducing a version of the character of Robin Hood than anything else, but Scott’s early 19th-century work redefined the adventure novel, bringing several concepts into play that remain standard in novels to this day. Sir Wilfred of Ivanhoe, one of the few Saxon lords in Norman-dominated England, is a remarkably mediocre guy, actually; not particularly bright, powerful, or rich. We’re not here for Wilfred, though; we’re here for his father, Cedric, whose name was invented by Scott for the book. Cedric as a name peaked in the 1970s in popularity, but has been slipping in obscurity for decades. (Sorry, Cedric Diggory.)

Jessica, The Merchant of Venice, by William Shakespeare
Sometimes it seems like Shakespeare invented most of the English language, including several names. Etymologists (aka Word Nerds) argue about the possible inspiration for Jessica, with some seeing a link to the Greek Ieskha and Hebrew Yiskah. All we know is that no one in the world was named Jessica until Shakespeare dropped this one in The Merchant of Venice. And, you may recall, between the 1980s and 1990s every other girl born was named Jessica.

Vanessa, Cadenus and Vanessa, by Jonathan Swift
Jonathan Swift was a hella clever guy, someone whose name is still used as shorthand for “satiric,” and whose works are still regularly assigned in school. His 1712 poem Cadenus and Vanessa (not published until 1726) isn’t the most well-known of his works, but it has the distinction of introducing the name Vanessa to us. Swift created the name for his long-time lover and correspondent Esther Vanhomrigh; he took the first letters of her names and reversed their order, allowing him to refer to her discreetly. That means Vanessa is one of the few names that were truly created out of thin air by an author.

Dorian, The Picture of Dorian Gray, by Oscar Wilde
Dorian wasn’t unheard of before the 1890 publication of The Picture of Dorian Gray; it’s Greek, and referred originally to one of the main ethnic groups of ancient Greece. But Oscar Wilde was the first to use the word as a given name, and you won’t find a single example of it prior to 1890, which means Wilde gets credit even if he didn’t come up with it all by himself. Dorian, in fact, has become surprisingly common for a name that didn’t get into the gene pool until the early 20th century, especially considering the fate of the titular character of Wilde’s only novel. You’d think people would think twice before naming their kids after that mess.

Orville, Evelina, by Fanny Burney
When you think of the name Orville chances are you think of Orville Wright or Orville Redenbacher, depending on where you fall on the snack-vs-science spectrum. Either way, you’re likely not thinking about the 1778 novel by Fanny Burney, who wins our award for best author name, possibly ever. Regarded as a book that heavily influenced later works by Jane Austen and others, the novel also gifted the world the name Orville, although Burney used it as a surname. Lord Orville is the Mr. Darcy of Burney’s story; somehow the name stopped making people think of eligible bachelors and made them think of popcorn instead.

Contrary to Popular Belief: Not Wendy, Peter Pan, by J.M. Barrie
Usually the first example in an article about names invented by writers is Wendy from Peter Pan, but we disqualify it. While it’s true no one was actually named just Wendy prior to the publication of Barrie’s famous book, people were named Gwendolyn, and were routinely referred to by the diminutive Wendy. So while Barrie gets partial credit for popularizing a nickname as a proper name, he didn’t actually invent it. So there.