47 Baby Names Inspired By Classic TV Shows

Choosing a name is one of the most exciting parts of having a baby, but it can also be one that causes the most decision paralysis. There are endless choices out there, and it's difficult enough for one person to decide on a name they like, let alone when two people have to agree. It can help to narrow it down by your passions and interests, and for TV fans, combing through iconic shows can provide a lot of inspiration. 

Obviously, looking at your favorite shows is the most effective way of naming your child after a classic TV character. But you'll also want to take into account the other criteria that factor into your name choices. Maybe you prefer tried-and-tested vintage names with staying power, or perhaps you like names that are more subtle. Depending on how much you love TV, you might want to choose a name that's a gentle nod to a character, or one that lets everybody know exactly how you chose that name (calling your kid Homer, for example, strikes up a pretty clear image). While some people don't like names that too obviously come from TV, others don't mind, like one Redditor who noted, "If I met a kid named Buffy I'd say, 'oh loved that show!' and move on. It's not my taste but whatever."

No matter how much inspiration you want to take from Hollywood, there's a TV name out there for everyone. After all, no character is named by accident; by the time a fictional figure on a show gets a name, it's already been thoroughly researched by the writer, so it's definitely got some merit. All you have to do is sit back, read through our list, and wait to hear the name you like the best.

There's been a vintage name revival in the 2020s, with old-fashioned monikers rising back to the fore. If you're a fan of that old-world charm, there are a few characters on classic TV shows that you can look to for inspiration. One of the best TV shows for this is "Golden Girls," with two of the main characters being Dorothy and Blanche. Distinctly vintage, these names have come full circle, and are once again adorable choices for baby girls. 

Speaking of vintage, fans of the show "Lassie" might consider the name Ruth, after June lockhart's character Ruth Martin. This is another name that might seem exclusively associated with older ladies, but when you update it to something like "Ruthie," it suddenly gives cuteness overload. If you're a fan of all things retro, both in the way of TV shows and baby names, Ethel is a good option, too. Of course, this is after Ethel Mertz from "I Love Lucy," the titular character's trusty bestie. Again, it's unmistakably vintage and therefore brings a sense of personality and uniqueness. Hyphenated names harken back to a time when girls were named after both grandmothers, so Sue Ellen (of "Dallas" fame) might also be a contender. Otherwise, just Ellen on its own also pays tribute to "Lassie."

Meanwhile, "Mr. Ed" enthusiasts might like the name Wilbur for a boy. It's certainly dropped in popularity in the new millennium, but has a clear old-world feel that makes it charming. Then there's George, whether you're taking inspiration from "The Jeffersons" or "Seinfeld." Though an old name, it's continuously come back into popularity over the years, so it's a good option for those who like vintage names that aren't too vintage. 

The appeal of vintage-sounding names isn't for everyone. If you want a more inconspicuous moniker for your bub, you might look to names that have more of an ageless feel, rather than a dated one. Lucy, for example, comes from the same TV show as Ethel, but there's something much more timeless about it. Along the same lines, Rose appeared on "Golden Girls" with Dorothy and Blanche, but this floral, feminine name feels much more translatable to the modern era. As does Sophia, another character on the 1985 sitcom. Louise is a similarly pretty option, taken from "The Jeffersons" but steadily popular in all times and circles.

With its titular family being so big, "The Brady Bunch" has lots of inspo on the timeless names front. Alice is a pretty moniker that wouldn't feel out of place in any decade. There's also Carol after the family's matriarch, played by Florence Henderson. Otherwise, you might go for the gender-neutral Sam after guest-starring character Sam Franklin. 

When it comes to boy names, Mike and Peter are two more Brady names that will never go out of style. In a similar vein, there's Ralph, after Ralph Malph on "Happy Days." That sitcom is another good source of ideas; Fonzie is a little too striking for this kind of vibe, but you could go with his real name, Arthur. Then there's Ricky, as in Ricky Riccardo, played by Desi Arnaz in "I Love Lucy." If you're leaning more towards a classic name with a modern edge, there's Aidan. Our minds go to Aidan Shaw from the '90s hit "Sex and the City," but even though it sounds more contemporary, this gender-neutral moniker dates back to 7th century Ireland.

There are some TV characters who were either so influential on pop culture, or had such unique names in cult classic shows, that their names are now forever associated with them. For parents who are huge fans of their favorite TV shows, it might be an idea to boldly name your child after your favorite character, and let everybody know it. Carol could come from anywhere, for example, but Cindy is much more obviously inspired by "The Brady Bunch."

"Seinfeld" fans might jump to Elaine, which tends to make people think of the '90s sitcom immediately. In a similar way, Marge will forever be linked to Marge Simpson, and while it might not be the first name that comes to mind for a baby, you could update it to Margie or Margery. If you prefer something a little cooler, you could go with CJ, Pamela Anderson's "Baywatch" character. For iconic names with a more modern feel, you could take inspiration from the '90s supernatural drama "Charmed." The Halliwell sisters were known for their "P" names, and Piper and Prue still make people think of these popular characters more than 20 years after the end of the show. 

The '90s were rich with iconic male characters, too. Fans of "Dawson's Creek" might go for Pacey, which could be gender-neutral, and even just Dawson, which is also adaptable to any gender. You might like the name Frasier, and this instantly brings to mind the TV show of the same name. Going even further back through the decades, Chachi might be the perfect unique option for "Happy Days" enthusiasts, as is Fonzie. There will be no doubts about who your child was named after with monikers like these!

Parents who prefer for their children to make a statement rather than blend in will probably lean towards distinct baby names that stand out from the crowd. Naturally, there are plenty of those to be found in TV land. Some might be a little too different — Spock is probably overly "out there" for most people, even if they love "Star Trek." But there are lots of monikers that are just different enough to stand out without raising eyebrows or causing awkward moments for your kid in the schoolyard. You could follow in Samantha Stephen's footsteps and name your baby Tabitha, as happens in "Bewitched," while Endora is another unique name from the show. If witchy names feel right for you, there's also Zelda, after the "Sabrina the Teenage Witch" character. 

These lesser-known names have a special feel that makes them more likely to grab attention. In the same way, you might like Ginger from "Gilligan's Island." Fans of "Dawson's Creek" might feel drawn to Bessie, which is an old-world name that feels distinct enough to make a statement, all the while being a derivative of the much more traditional and common Elizabeth. Bessie is also a variation of Bette, which is one of the baby names inspired by Taylor Swift. 

"Gilligan's Island" fans might also like Jonas, even if millennials associate it with the Jonas Brothers. Most frequently used as a boy's name, this could also be gender-neutral, as could Carlton. A unique name from "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air," Carlton has a distinct ring to it that definitely stands out, and it also gives old-money vibes. For boy names that feel a bit different, you could go with Darrin, the husband of Samantha Stephens in "Bewitched."

If you're a TV buff, you might find there are too many inspirational characters to choose from when it comes to naming your child. But who said you have to choose? Along with hyphenating names, there are plenty of names that are shared between classic TV shows, and they often span generations. Carrie is a great name for a TV fan; it pays homage to "Sex and the City," whose lead Carrie Bradshaw pioneered many fashion and beauty trends, as well as "Little House on the Prairie." The same goes for Marcia. Many might automatically think of Marcia Brady, but "M*A*S*H" might have been the real inspiration behind your child's name. Then there's Phoebe. "Friends" or "Charmed"? Why not both! 

While we're talking about "Friends," which gave us lots of beauty and fashion tips, there's also Joey, which was the name of Matt LeBlanc's character from the sitcom. Joey was also Katie Holmes' character on "Dawson's Creek." It's a good gender-neutral one! You have Samantha, too, which might be an ode to Samantha Stephens from "Bewitched," Samantha Micelli from "Who's the Boss?" or Samantha Jones from "Sex and the City." Maybe it's an ode to all three! A similar-sounding name with a slightly less mainstream vibe is Sabrina, as in "Sabrina the Teenage Witch" and Sabrina Duncan from "Charlie's Angels." 

In terms of boy names, there's always Danny, who was a character in "Full House" and in "The Partridge Family." And if you like classic, two-syllable names like Danny, you might also like Bobby, which tributes both Bobby Brady and Bobby Ewing from "Dallas." Need more inspo? Check out these vintage baby names you can make feel fresh in 2026.