This page lists 37 literary boy names that start with N, from “Nabokov” to “Nestor Makhno”. They come from novels, plays, myths, and the authors who wrote them. Parents, writers, and book lovers use them to name children, build fictional characters, or simply browse for inspiration.

Literary boy names are names borne by famous characters, authors, or figures from classic stories and legends. “Nemo,” for example, means “nobody” in Latin and became famous as the mysterious captain of the Nautilus in Jules Verne’s novel.

Below you’ll find the table with the name, origin, pronunciation, meaning, and description for each entry.

Name: The boy name itself, listed alphabetically, so you can scan quickly and spot the spelling or variant that catches your eye.

Origin: The language or culture the name comes from, which helps you see its roots and choose a name that fits your background.

Pronunciation: A simple phonetic guide, with the stressed syllable in capitals, so you can say each name with confidence before you pick it.

Meaning: What the name originally meant, often tied to a virtue, a place, or a family connection, so you can find one with a message you like.

Description: A short note on the famous book, author, or character linked to the name, and the kind of feeling it gives.

Literary boy names

NameOriginPronunciationMeaning
NabokovRussiannuh-BOH-kuhfPossibly “noble” or “of the Tatar prince Nabok”
NatEnglishNATShort for Nathaniel or Nathan, “gift of God”
NathanHebrewNAY-thuhn“He gave” or “gift”
NathanielHebrewnuh-THAN-yuhl“Gift of God”
NedEnglishNEDPet form of Edward, “wealthy guardian”
NehemiahHebrewnee-uh-MY-uh“Comforted by Yahweh”
NeilIrish/ScottishNEEL“Champion” or “cloud”
NelsonEnglishNEL-suhn“Son of Neil”
NemoLatinNEE-moh“Nobody”
NevilleFrench/EnglishNEV-il“New town”
NewtEnglishNOOTShort for Newton, “new town”
NicholasGreekNIK-uh-luhs“Victory of the people”
NickEnglishNIKShort for Nicholas, “victory of the people”
NicoItalian/GreekNEE-kohShort for Nicholas, “victory of the people”
NielsDanishNEELSDanish form of Nicholas, “victory of the people”
NigelLatin/IrishNY-juhl“Champion” or “dark”
NikolaiRussiannee-kuh-LYERussian form of Nicholas, “victory of the people”
NilsScandinavianNILSScandinavian form of Nicholas, “victory of the people”
NoahHebrewNOH-uh“Rest” or “comfort”
NoelFrenchnoh-EL“Christmas” or “birth”
NolanIrishNOH-luhn“Noble” or “champion”
NormanGermanicNOR-muhn“Northman”
NorbertGermanicNOR-bert“Bright north”
NostradamusLatinnos-truh-DAH-muhsLatinized form of Notredame, “Our Lady”
NuadaIrishNOO-uh-duh“Protector” or “cloud-maker”
NyeWelshNYShort for Aneurin, “honorable”
NathanaelHebrewnuh-THAN-ee-uhl“Gift of God”
NeroLatinNEER-oh“Strong” or “stern”
NestorGreekNES-tuhr“Homecoming” or “wise”
NikosGreekNEE-kohsGreek form of Nicholas, “victory of the people”
NapoleonItalian/Frenchnuh-POH-lee-uhnPossibly “lion of Naples” or “new city”
NathanialHebrewnuh-THAN-yuhl“Gift of God”
NemoyHebrewNEE-moyPossibly “wise” or “guide”
NimrodHebrewNIM-rod“Rebel” or “we shall rebel”
NikitaRussiannih-KEE-tuh“Victory” or “unconquered”
Nathanael WestEnglishnuh-THAN-ee-uhl WEST“Gift of God”
Nestor MakhnoUkrainianNES-tor MAHK-noh“Homecoming”

Descriptions

Nabokov
Surname of Vladimir Nabokov, author of Lolita and Pale Fire. Occasionally used as a bookish given name by fans of his ornate prose.
Nat
Used by Nat Turner’s chroniclers and by Nat Eliot in fiction, and borne by Nat Fisher in Alice Hoffman and Nat Wolff-style YA heroes. A friendly, old-fashioned literary pick.
Nathan
Biblical prophet who confronts King David, and the name of Nathan Zuckerman, Philip Roth’s recurring narrator. A classic with strong literary credentials.
Nathaniel
Nathaniel Hawthorne wrote The Scarlet Letter and The House of the Seven Gables. The name is a natural choice for parents who love American Gothic fiction.
Ned
Ned Stark in A Song of Ice and Fire and Ned Land in Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea carry this name. It suggests an honest, steady character.
Nehemiah
Biblical rebuilder of Jerusalem’s walls. Appears in Puritan-era literature and in Neil Gaiman-style fantasy as a stern, old-world name.
Neil
Associated with Neil Gaiman and Neil Simon. It also appears as the first name of Neil Perry in Dead Poets Society, the idealistic student who loves acting.
Nelson
Nelson Algren wrote The Man with the Golden Arm. Also a fitting nod to Nelson Mandela’s writing, such as Long Walk to Freedom.
Nemo
Captain Nemo commands the Nautilus in Jules Verne’s Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea. Also the name of a lost boy in Dickens-style tales, notably Nemo in Bleak House.
Neville
Neville Longbottom grows from timid student to hero in the Harry Potter series. The name suits a quiet character who surprises everyone.
Newt
Newt Scamander is the magizoologist of Fantastic Beasts, while Newt is also a young survivor in Aliens. A quirky choice for animal lovers.
Nicholas
Dickens gave us Nicholas Nickleby, a young man who stands up to bullies and cruel schoolmasters. A timeless pick with strong Victorian roots.
Nick
Nick Carraway narrates The Great Gatsby, watching Jay Gatsby’s rise and fall. One of the best-known narrators in American fiction.
Nico
Nico di Angelo is a son of Hades in Rick Riordan’s Percy Jackson books. Popular with young readers of modern fantasy.
Niels
Niels Lyhne, the title hero of J. P. Jacobsen’s novel, is an atheist dreamer in 19th-century Denmark. Also used for Niels Bohr in many biographies.
Nigel
Nigel Molesworth is the comic schoolboy of Geoffrey Willans’s Down with Skool!. Often seen in British comedy and detective fiction.
Nikolai
Nikolai Gogol wrote Dead Souls and The Overcoat. Also borne by characters in Tolstoy and Dostoevsky, giving it deep Russian literary roots.
Nils
Nils Holgersson rides on the back of a goose across Sweden in Selma Lagerlof’s classic children’s book. A sweet, adventurous name.
Noah
Biblical hero who builds the ark. Appears in many novels, including Noah Calhoun in The Notebook. Currently one of the most popular boy names.
Noel
Noel Streatfeild wrote Ballet Shoes. The name is also linked to Noel Coward, the playwright behind Private Lives.
Nolan
Used for Nolan in modern thrillers and for Christopher Nolan’s film-minded fans. Has a literary feel through Irish storytelling traditions.
Norman
Norman Bates is the unsettling motel owner of Robert Bloch’s Psycho, while Norman Mailer wrote The Naked and the Dead. A name with both dark and serious associations.
Norbert
Norbert is the baby dragon hatched by Hagrid in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone. A funny, unusual vintage pick.
Nostradamus
The French astrologer wrote the prophetic quatrains of Les Propheties. He appears in many novels as a mysterious seer.
Nuada
Nuada of the Silver Hand is a king of the Tuatha De Danann in Irish mythology. Appears in modern fantasy, including the film Hellboy II.
Nye
Nye Bevan inspired many Welsh writers, and the name appears in Welsh-set fiction. A short, unusual choice.
Nathanael
Spelling used by Nathanael West, author of The Day of the Locust and Miss Lonelyhearts. A distinctive take on the classic.
Nero
The Roman emperor appears in Quo Vadis by Henryk Sienkiewicz. Also the name of Rex Stout’s orchid-loving detective Nero Wolfe.
Nestor
Wise old king of Pylos in Homer’s Iliad and Odyssey. Also a character in James Joyce’s Ulysses, where he gives a history lesson.
Nikos
Nikos Kazantzakis wrote Zorba the Greek. The name carries a warm Mediterranean literary feel.
Napoleon
Napoleon is the tyrannical pig in George Orwell’s Animal Farm. Also Napoleon Bonaparte appears in Tolstoy’s War and Peace.
Nathanial
Variant spelling of the Hawthorne name, often chosen by parents who want a slightly different look. Appears in modern YA fiction.
Nemoy
A rare name known from the writer Leonard Nimoy’s poetry circles. It has a sci-fi, bookish flavor.
Nimrod
Biblical mighty hunter in Genesis. Appears in Milton’s Paradise Lost and Swift’s work, though now often used humorously.
Nikita
Used for male characters in Russian literature, including Tolstoy’s The Power of Darkness. Less common in English for boys.
Nathanael West
Pen name of Nathan Weinstein, the satirist behind The Day of the Locust. Included for readers searching the full author name.
Nestor Makhno
Anarchist leader who appears as a figure in Ukrainian and Russian historical fiction. Mostly known as a historical name.
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