This is a list of submitted names in which the gender is feminine; and the usage is Literature; and a substring is y.
Submitted names are contributed by users of this website. The accuracy of these name definitions cannot be guaranteed.
Alayne f LiteratureVariant of
Elaine. This is the name of a minor character in George R. R. Martin's
A Song of Ice and Fire.
Amagoya f Basque (Hispanicized), LiteratureSpanish spelling of
Amagoia used in the historical novel
Amaya, or the Basques in the 8th century (1879) by Francisco Navarro-Villoslada (
Amagoya in the Spanish original;
Amagoia in the Basque translation).
Anayansi f Literature, Spanish (Latin American)Used by Panamanian author Octavio Méndez Pereira for a character in his historical novel
Núñez de Balboa, el tesoro de Dabaibe (1934), where it belongs to an indigenous princess who falls in love with the Spanish conquistador Vasco Núñez de Balboa... [
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Arryn m & f English, LiteratureSome uses of this name may be derivative of
Aaron. It is also the name of one of the houses in 'The Song of Ice and Fire' series by George R. R. Martin.
Astery f LiteratureForm of
Asteria used by Edmund Spenser in his poem 'Muiopotmus; or, the Fate of the Butterfly' (1591), where it belongs to a nymph turned into a butterfly.
Aziyadé f LiteratureAziyadé (1879) is a novel by French author Pierre Loti. It tells the story of the 27-year-old Loti's illicit love affair with an 18-year-old harem girl named Aziyadé.
Belaye f Arthurian CycleA princess and wife of Lohengrin. She died of grief when Lohengrin was murdered by men sent by her parents.
Blenzibly f Arthurian Cycle, LiteratureTristan’s mother in the Icelandic Saga af Tristram ok Ísoud. She replaces Blancheflur (Blancheflor) from the earlier German sources and is the counterpart of Blesinbil in Norse Tristan legend.... [
more]
Caddy f & m English (Rare), LiteratureVariant of
Caddie. Fictional bearers include Caddy Jellyby, a character in Charles Dickens' novel
Bleak House (1853), and
Candace "Caddy" Compson, a character in William Faulkner's novel
The Sound and the Fury (1929).
Calwyn f LiteratureCalwyn is a character in
The Singer of All Songs, the first novel in the
Chanters of Tremaris trilogy by Kate Constable. She is a 16-year-old priestess of Antaris who can sing ice chantments.
Catelyn f LiteratureInvented by G.R.R. Martin for his "Game of Thrones" book series, first realeased in 1996 and turned into a TV series (2011-2019). It is not pronounced like the similar
Caitlin and unrelated.
Cayke f LiteratureFrom the name of a character that is featured in L. Frank Baum's book
The Lost Princess of Oz (1917). Her name is a misspelling of the English word "cake".
Chrysanthème f LiteratureMeans "chrysanthemum" in French. This was used in Pierre Loti's novel
Madame Chrysanthème (1887), which was adapted into an opera in 1893 by André Messager.
Chun-hyang f LiteratureFrom Sino-Korean 春 "spring; wanton" and 香 "fragrant, sweet smelling, incense". This is the name of the main character in the Korean pansori 'Chunhyangga'.
Cynara f LiteratureA Greek "plant" name, from a genus of thistles, of which a leading member is the purple flowered artichoke.... [
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Dovesary f LiteratureThe name of one of the main characters in Tamora Pierce's books
Trickster's Choice and
Trickster's Queen.
Dyonise f Arthurian CycleA lady who ruled the Castle of Ten Maidens with her lover, Sir Geogenant. Dyonise and Geogenant were friends of Sir Durmart.
Dyrim f LiteratureDyrim is the fourth of the seven bells used by necromancers and the Abhorsen in Garth Nix's Old Kingdom trilogy. Dyrim is the Speaker, the bell that grants or removes the power of speech to the listener.
Emelye f LiteratureMedieval variant of
Emily used by Geoffrey Chaucer in his 14th-century story 'The Knight's Tale'.
Envy f English (American, Modern, Rare), LiteratureFrom the English word
envy meaning "envy, resentful desire", itself ultimately from Latin
invidia, of the same meaning (compare
Invidia). Use of the name has been influenced by the brand of perfume called Envy, which was introduced by Gucci in 1997.
Ethyne f LiteratureIt was used by Kelly Barnhill in her novel 'The Girl who Drank the Moon'.
Fairamay f LiteratureA character from the novel
The Journey to the Forest of Temptation by George Harpen.
Falkny f LiteratureThe name of the evil tomboy in Poul Anderson's novel "The Valor of Cappen Vara".... [
more]
Feyre f LiteratureBased on
fayre the old fashioned spelling of the English word
fair meaning "fair, beautiful", ultimately from Old English
fæġer. This name was created for the series 'A Court of Thorns and Roses' by author Sarah J. Maas... [
more]
Freyleif f LiteratureDerived from Old Norse
freyja, which means "lady" but can also refer to the goddess
Freya, combined with Old Norse
leif meaning "inheritance, legacy"... [
more]
Frynne f LiteraturePossibly a variant of
Phryne. The name appears in George R. R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire series of fantasy novels.
Frytha f LiteraturePossibly an Anglicized form of
Fríða. It was used by Rosemary Sutcliff for a character in her children's historical novel
The Shield Ring (1956).
Gayelette f LiteratureFrom the name of an ancient princess that is mentioned in the children's novel
Dorothy of Oz by L. Frank Baum (1989). Her name might be the feminization of the name
Gaylord.
Goldberry f LiteratureThe wife of Tom Bombadil in the Lord of the Rings and also some poems by JRR Tolkien.
Gyburc f LiteratureIn medieval German literature, this is the name of a Saracen princess from the epic poem
Willehalm (13th century) written by the German poet Wolfram von Eschenbach (died around 1220). Her name was originally
Arabel, but she changed it to Gyburc after converting to Christianity.... [
more]
Gynecia f LiteratureFrom the archaic English adjective
gynecian meaning "of women, relating to women, womanly", a derivative of Greek γυνή
(gyne) "woman". This is the name of the duchess of Arcadia and mother of
Pamela in Sir Philip Sidney's poem
The Countess of Pembroke's Arcadia (ca... [
more]
Heleyne f Arthurian CycleA variation of
Viviane, the proper name of the Lady of the Lake in the Vulgate Merlin. She bears many names in the Vulgate romances.
Homily f LiteratureThe name of a character from the children's novel 'The Borrowers' (1952) by Mary Norton. A homily is a Catholic sermon, but the name was probably a borrower corruption of
Emily (their names were all mispronounced forms of traditional names).
Hong-ryeon f LiteratureMeans "red lotus" from Sino-Korean 紅蓮. Hong-ryeon is the name of one of the heroines in the Korean folktale "The Story of Jang-hwa and Hong-ryeon".
Hyzenthlay f LiteratureA doe rabbit who escapes from the warren Efrafa in the book Watership Down by Richard Adams.
Jassy f LiteratureThe title character of a 1944 melodramatic novel by Norah Lofts, made into a film in 1947. In the story, Jassy is a wild gypsy girl. The name seems to be a form of
Jessie 1 – probably not short for
Jessica, but a pet form of
Jane.
Jeyne f LiteratureProbably intended as a variant of
Jane, this name is borne by Jeyne Westerling, a character in George R. R. Martin's
A Song of Ice and Fire.
Jyd f Cornish (Rare), LiteratureFirst appeared in children's book "The Doll Who Came Alive" by Cornish author Enys Tregarthen (AKA Nellie Sloggett, Nellie Cornwall.) Jyd Trewerry is a little orphan girl living with her stepmother in a small harbour town in the west of Cornwall.
Kathely f LiteratureKathely Burnell is one of the main characters in the book "The Wrylin" by Allen Lamb.
Kaya f LiteratureShort form of
Kaya'aton'my', a name invented for the Native American girl of the Nimíipuu or Nez Percé tribe in the
American Girl series of dolls, accompanied by books... [
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Kaya'aton'my' f LiteratureMeans "one who arranges rocks" in Nez Percé. It was used for a Native American character in the
American Girl series of children's books and dolls, nicknamed
Kaya... [
more]
Keladry f LiteratureApparently invented by author Tamora Pierce for the heroine of her
Protector of the Small series.
Kerowyn f LiteratureThe name of a character in
By the Sword, a 1991 fantasy novel by Mercedes Lackey.
Kilmeny f Literature, EnglishFrom the name of a village on the island of Islay, Scotland, in which the first element is from Gaelic
cille meaning "church, cell". It is thought to mean "monastery" or "church of Saint
Eithne"... [
more]
Krusmynta f Swedish (Rare), LiteratureFrom the Swedish name for a type of mint, known as curly mint in English. This is one of the middle names of Pippi Långstrump (English: Pippi Longstocking), full name Pippilotta Viktualia Rullgardina Krusmynta Efraimsdotter Långstrump, a character invented by Swedish author Astrid Lindgren.
Llyan f LiteratureThe name of a giant cat in 'The Chronicles of Prydain' by Lloyd Alexander. Possibly a Welsh name.
Lupy f LiteratureA character from
The Borrowers, a book by Mary Norton, possibly a variant of Russian
Lyuba.
Lycoris f LiteratureSupposedly related to Greek λυκοφως (
lykophos) "twilight" or λυκαυγές (
lykauges) "morning twilight, dawn", derived from λυκος (
lykos) "wolf" and αυγη (
auge) "dawn, daylight"... [
more]
Lyonors f Arthurian CycleAppears in Thomas Malory's 15th-century compilation of Arthurian legends 'Le Morte d'Arthur', belonging to the daughter of Earl Sanam. Lyonors had an affair with Arthur and bore him a son, Borre. Alfred Lord Tennyson used the name in his poem 'Gareth and Lynette' (1872) for the sister of Lynette, a character usually called
Lyonesse in medieval versions of the story.
Margaery f LiteratureThis name is borne by from Margaery Tyrell from a Song of Ice and Fire. It's intended as a variant of
Marjorie.
Mayre f LiteraturePossibly a variant of
Mary or
Marie influenced by
May. This name was created by L. Frank Baum for the character Mayre "Trot" Griffiths, a character appearing in several of his Oz books.
Maysilee f LiteratureName of one of the contestants of District 12 in the world of Suzanne Collins' novel "The Hunger Games". It can be seen as a combination of
Maisie and
Lee.
Menolly f LiteratureThe name of the heroine in Anne McCaffrey's
The Harper Hall trilogy.
Merewyn f LiteratureVariant of
Mærwynn used by Anya Seton in her historical novel
Avalon (1965). In the story Merewyn is a niece of Merwinna, abbess of Romsey Abbey.
Meronym f Literature, Popular CultureThis is the name of a character from the book "Cloud Atlas" written by David Mitchell, which was adapted to film (with the same title) in 2012. The author of the book probably derived the name from the English word
meronym, which is a linguistic term used to refer to a part of the whole... [
more]
Misery f LiteratureFrom the English word, which derives from Latin
miseria "wretchedness". It was used as a given name in the book 'Misery' (1987) by Stephen King, about the author of a popular series of romance novels set in Victorian times, the heroine of which is named Misery Chastain.
Mutability f Arthurian Cycle, LiteratureMutability, whose name means Change, is the Titan goddess who rules Earth. In the Two Cantos of Mutability she argues she should rule the heavens as well.
Myop f LiteratureThis name is used in the book The Flowers, by Alice Walker. This name could have been a shortened form of the words
myopic or
myopathy, in which both are derived from Latin
myopia meaning "near-sightedness." The Latin word is ultimately derived from
myops meaning "near-sighted" (from
myein meaning "to shut" combined with
ops meaning "eye.")
Myrcella f Literature, Popular Culture, English (Modern, Rare)Created by author George R.R. Martin for a character in his series
A Song of Ice and Fire (1996) and its television adaptation
Game of Thrones (2011-2019). At the beginning of the first novel, Princess Myrcella Baratheon is the daughter of king Robert Baratheon and queen Cersei Lannister... [
more]
Naerys f Literature, Medieval WelshCreated by George R.R. Martin for the character Naerys Targaryen, a historical figure, it is presumably of Valyrian origin but is most likely inspired by the Welsh elaboration of ner "lord, chief" thus changing the meaning to "lady, noblewoman."
Nekayah f American (Rare), LiteratureThe name of a princess of Abyssinia (present-day Ethiopia) in Samuel Johnson's novella 'The History of Rasselas, Prince of Abissinia' (1759). Its origins are uncertain, though it may be a derivative of
Nicaula, the Habesha name for the queen of Sheba... [
more]
Nesryn f LiteratureThe name of a character in the Throne of Glass series, written by Sarah J. Maas.
Northey f LiteratureTransferred use of the surname
Northey. The Nancy Mitford novel
Don't Tell Alfred (1960) has a character named Northey; it is explained in the story that she was named after the Great Northern Hotel in London, where she was conceived.
Nymphadora f LiteratureVariant of
Nymphodora used by J. K. Rowling in her 'Harry Potter' series of books, where it belongs to a minor character, a Metamorphmagus who despises her name.
Nymphidia f Late Greek, LiteratureFeminine form of
Nymphidios (see
Nymphidius). A bearer of this name was the mother of Gaius Nymphidius Sabinus, a Prefect of the Roman Praetorian Guard from the 1st century AD... [
more]
Nynaeve f LiteratureVariant of
Nyneve used by Robert Jordan for a character in his 'Wheel of Time' series of fantasy novels.
Nyneve f Arthurian CycleForm of
Ninniane used by Thomas Malory for one of the Ladies of the Lake in his 15th-century compilation of Arthurian legends 'Le Morte d'Arthur' (as she is called
Ninniane in Malory's source, the continuation to the Vulgate 'Merlin', known as the 'Suite du Merlin')... [
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Oryx f LiteratureThe name of a character in Canadian author Margaret Atwood's 'Oryx and Crake' (2003).... [
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Penryn f LiteratureUsed as the name of he main character in the 'Penryn and the End of Days' series by Susan Ee.
Phryne f History, LiteratureAncient Greek nickname meaning "toad", literally "the brown animal". Phryne was a 4th-century BC hetaira or courtesan, famed for her beauty, whose stage name - like those of many hetairai - was based on a physical feature; she was called that either because of a dark complexion (*
phrynos being cognate with
brown) or because of a "snub nose" (
phrynē "a kind of toad")... [
more]
Piney f LiteratureMeaning unknown. Bret Harte, author of the short story
The Outcasts of Poker Flat (1869) used this name for the fifteen-year old runaway lover Piney Woods. However, presumably it is applied for the fact that Piney had been left alone, pining and yearning for her lover.
Planetty f LiteratureElaboration of the word planet. This is the name of an alien princess in Ruth Plumly Thompson's novel ''The Silver Princess in Oz'' (1938).
Porphyria f LiteratureFeminine form of
Porphyrios (see
Porfirio). The name was given to the female character in Robert Browning's dramatic monologue "Porphyria's lover", where she is strangled over her 'lover's' obsession with her.
Pryntyl f LiteratureProbably onomatopoeic form. Pryntyl is a mermaid, the main character of Louis-Ferdinand Céline's Scandale aux abysses (1950), the name is also the title of a famous Italian song by Vinicio Capossela.
Pyewacket m & f Literature, Popular Culture, PetAn imp in form of a dog reported by Mathew Hopkins in his 1647 pamphlet "The Discovery of Witches". Also the cat familiar of the witch in the 1958 movie Bell, Book and Candle.
Rhaenyra f LiteratureCreated by author George R. R. Martin for a character his series of fantasy novels
A Song of Ice and Fire and the television adaptation
House of the Dragon (2022-). In the series, Rhaenyra Targaryen is a claimant to the throne of
Westeros.
Rosalynde f LiteratureThe eponymous character of "Rosalynde; or, Euphues' Golden Legacy" by Thomas Lodge, a pastoral romance written in the late 16th century. The narrative centers around the character of Rosalynde, the daughter of an exiled king, who finds herself entangled in themes of love, honor, and familial discord... [
more]
Saffy f English (British), LiteratureDiminutive of names beginning with a similar sound, such as
Saffron (as used in the children's novel
Saffy's Angel (2001) by Hilary McKay). It was also used as an Anglicized form of
Sadbh in Ella Griffin's novel
Postcards from the Heart (2011).
Saraiyu f LiteratureName of one of the main characters in Tamora Pierce's books
Trickter's Choice and
Trickster's Queen. Possibly coined from the Hebrew name
Sarai combined with the Chinese suffix
yu meaning "jade", "happy, pleased" or "rain".
Sarralyn f Literature, EnglishName used in Tamora Pierce's Tortall books. Made from a combination of the names
Sarra meaning "princess" or "lady" and
Lyn meaning "lake".
Schoysiane f Arthurian CycleShe married Kyot of Katelangen and died giving birth to her daughter Sigune. Prior to this, she raised Condwiramurs (Kondviramur), the hereditary Queen of Brabant, who became Perceval’s wife.
Selyse f LiteratureUsed in GRR. Martin's "A song of ice and fire". Selyse Baratheon, born Selyse Florent, is Stannis Baratheon's wife and she is the mother of Shireen. ... [
more]
Smartypants f LiteraturePrincess Smartypants is the title of a children's book by Babette Cole. The book won the British Library Association award.
Sylviianel f LiteratureThe name of the main character in Robin McKinley's 1975 middle fiction/fantasy novel Pegasus.
Symforosa f Dutch (Rare), LiteratureDutch form of
Symphorosa. In Dutch literature, Symforosa is the name of the main character of the 1918 novel
De zeer schone uren van Juffrouw Symforosa, begijntjen written by the Flemish author Felix Timmermans (1886-1947).
Tattypoo f LiteratureIt is said to be the name of
Good Witch of the North which was featured in the book of
The Giant Horse of Oz by L. Frank Baum (1928).
Thymian f LiteratureDerived from German
Thymian "thyme". It was used by German author Margarete Böhme (1867-1939) in her novel
Tagebuch einer Verlorenen (1905; "The Diary of a Lost Girl"). The book purportedly tells the true story of Thymian, a young woman forced by circumstance into a life of prostitution... [
more]
Thymiane f French (Rare), LiteratureGallicized form of
Thymian. This name was coined for the protagonist in the French translation -
Journal d'une fille perdue - of Margarete Böhme's 1905 novel
Tagebuch einer Verlorenen.
Tocelyn f LiteratureUsed by Connie Willis for a character in her novel "To Say Nothing of the Dog."
Trilby f English (Rare), LiteratureThe name of the titular character in George Du Maurier's 1894 novel 'Trilby', about an tone-deaf model who is hypnotized to become a talented singer. The name became a (now obsolete) colloquial term for a foot, as the character's feet were objects of admiration... [
more]
Tydomie f Arthurian Cycle, LiteratureThe Queen of Karmerie (Kamerie) who married Meleranz, Arthur’s nephew. The two met and fell in love when Meleranz was on his way to Arthur’s court. When he had been knighted, she sent him tokens of a belt, a wreath and a clasp.... [
more]
Tyene f LiteratureTyene Sand is a fictional character in the book series 'A song of Ice and Fire' by George R R Martin. Tyene is a 'sand snake', one of the eight bastard daughters of Prince Oberyn Martell. Tyene comes across as very sweet and innocent, but however she is very deadly, taking poisons as her weapon of choice.
Wally f German, LiteratureDiminutive of
Walburga. Walburga Stromminger is the protagonist of the the novel
Die Geier-Wally (1873) by Wilhelmine von Hillern, an early example of feminist literature.
Wynema f Literature (Rare), Omaha, Caddo, ModocUsed by S. Alice Callahan for the heroine of 'Wynema: A Child of the Forest' (1891), the first novel written by a Native American woman. Callahan was one-sixteenth Muscogee (Creek), but it is unknown if this name was commonly used in the Creek tribe or if she invented it for use in her book.... [
more]
Xayide f LiteratureOne of the main antagonists in Michael Ende's fantasy novel
The Neverending Story (1979).
Yavanna f LiteratureQuenya (High-Elven) for "giver of fruits." Was the Valie (female "angelic spirit") of plants. ... [
more]
Yávien f LiteratureA fictional character created by J.R.R. Tolkien. Yávien was the first child and only daughter of Nolondil, the youngest son of the short-reigning King Vardamir Nólimon. She was born somewhere in Númenor... [
more]
Yblis f Arthurian CycleIn an Arthurian legend in Ulrich von Zatzikhoven's late 12th-century German poem Lanzelet, the loving fairy mistress of Prince Lancelot is named Yblis an anagram for Sibil/Sybil.
Ydgrun f LiteratureThe incomprehensible goddess of the Erewhonians in Samuel Butler's "Erewhon". Her name is an anagram of Grundy (from Mrs. Grundy, a character in Thomas Morton's play Speed the Plough
Ygramul f LiteratureA character from 'The neverending story' by Michael Ende; Ygramul The Many (
Ygramul, die Viele in German), is a creature that lives in the land of Dead Mountains.
Ygrayne f Arthurian CycleVariant of
Igraine used in 'Le Morte d'Arthur', a 15th-century Middle English prose reworking by Sir Thomas Malory of tales about the legendary King Arthur, Guinevere, Lancelot, Merlin and the Knights of the Round Table—along with their respective folklore.
Ygritte f LiteratureCreated by author George R.R. Martin for a character in his series
A Song of Ice and Fire (1996) and its television adaptation
Game of Thrones (2011-2019). It was borne by a character of the Free Folk.
Ylla f LiteratureThis name was used in Ray Bradbury's
The Martian Chronicals, a collection of short sci-fi stories about Earth's relationship with Mars.
Ymeene f LiteratureCharacter in the book series Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children. Said to mean "strange one" in goshawk.
Yolara f LiteratureA beautiful and evil woman who serves the Shining One in "The Moon Pool" by Abraham Merritt.
Ysmaine f Arthurian CycleOrigin unknown, probably unrelated to
Ismay. It was used in a 13th-century continuation of Chrétien de Troyes'
Perceval, the Story of the Grail, where it belongs to
Perceval's cousin who marries the knight Faradien... [
more]
Żywila f Polish, LiteratureCoined by Polish poet Adam Mickiewicz for the titular character of one of his early works. It is uncertain where he found the inspiration for this name. One theory derives this name from Lithuanian
žygiuoti "to move; to march" and
viltis "hope", while other scholars believe this name to be a much-mangled form of
Zizili, the name of an obscure fertility goddess of whom nothing else is known; should the name indeed be derived from Zizili, then its meaning would be lost... [
more]