Six Names Coined by Shakespeare
Did you know that William Shakespeare is credited with adding literally hundreds of new words to the English language? In many cases, he turned nouns into verbs (like gossip, elbow and friend) he added the "un-" prefix (unaware, undress, unreal), he put words together (bedroom, lackluster) or created funny descriptors "green-eyed" (jealousy) and "wild-goose chase" (a hopeless quest).
William Shakespeare didn’t just shape the English language—he helped shape the names we still use today. These six names largely owe their use to the Brilliant Bard, traced back to his plays, where they first appeared in written form and then carried forward through centuries of use.
Whether invented outright or adapted from earlier sources, these names endured because they are, quite simply, full of character.
Turn these timeless names into a meaningful gift
Each of these names carries a story that can be preserved and celebrated in a personalized Name Story print. → Browse Name Stories® Art Prints
Olivia
First appearing in Twelfth Night, Olivia—the lovely young Illyrian countess whose wealth and beauty attract the pursuit of many would-be suitors, is one of Shakespeare’s most enduring creations. The name is believed to have been inspired by the Latin oliva, meaning “olive tree,” a sacred tree long associated with peace and prosperity.
Today, Olivia feels both classic and contemporary—soft in sound, but grounded in centuries of use.
→ View the Olivia Name Stories® Art Print
Miranda
Introduced in The Tempest, the appropriately named Miranda comes from the Latin mirandus, meaning “to be admired,” "lovely" or “wonderful.” The teenaged daughter of Prospero, Miranda's character embodies innocence, curiosity, and awe—qualities that continue into the name’s modern perception.
She is not passive—Miranda shows real independence, standing up to her father when it matters most. That mix of warmth and resolve gives the name a grounded, modern strength.
→ View the Miranda Name Stories®Art Print
Imogen
Imogen is the heroine of Shakespeare’s Cymbeline, whose name is thought to derive from the Old Irish inghean, meaning “maiden” or “daughter.” In the play, Imogen is the daughter of Cymbeline, Celtic King of the Britons, and the embodiment of all that can be admired in a woman.
With its distinctive sound and refined feel, Imogen has endured as a sophisticated choice.
→ View the Imogen Name Stories®Art Print
A name with a story makes a different kind of gift
These names have lasted not just because of how they sound, but because of the meaning and history behind them. A name carries identity—and when that story is made visible, it becomes something you can hold onto and share.
→ Explore Name Stories® Art Prints
Cordelia
In Shakespeare's King Lear (c. 1605), Cordelia stands apart as the youngest daughter of the king—quiet, sincere, and ultimately the only one who remains loyal to her father. While her sisters speak in flattery, Cordelia refuses to exaggerate her love, choosing honesty instead. Cordelia's exact etymology remains uncertain, though it is often linked to the Latin cor, meaning “heart,” or alternatively to the Welsh name Creirddylad, sometimes interpreted as “daughter of the sea.”
It remains a name that suggests sincerity over display—a girl who's all heart.
→ View the Cordelia Name Stories® Art Print
Viola
Viola appears in Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night, where the character is defined by resilience, intelligence, and emotional depth. Shipwrecked and alone, she moves through the play in disguise, navigating uncertainty with composure and resolve. The name itself comes from the Latin viola, meaning “violet,” a flower long associated with modesty, faithfulness, and understated beauty. In this sense, the meaning and the character align: something delicate on the surface, but steady and deeply rooted beneath it.
Elegant and understated, Viola has a gentle, poetic quality that continues to appeal across generations.
→ View the Viola Name Stories® Art Print
Jessica
Jessica first appears in Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice, where the character is defined by independence and resolve. As the rebel daughter of Shylock, she chooses to leave her father’s house and align herself with a different life, guided by love but also by a clear sense of self. The name is believed to be derived from the Hebrew Yiskah, meaning “foresight" or "she will see.”
It went on to become one of the most widely used names in the English-speaking world—an example of how a literary introduction can evolve into everyday familiarity.
→ View the Jessica Name Stories® Art Print
A thoughtful gift, rooted in meaning
A Name Story print brings the meaning behind a name to life—making it a thoughtful and lasting gift for:
- baby showers
- new parents
- baptisms and bris
- birthdays
- literary lovers
Each piece is designed to preserve the origin, history, and symbolism behind a name in a way that feels personal and enduring.
→ Shop the Name Stories® Art Collection
This article is part of the Name Stories® collection, written and researched by Julie Hackett.