Roald Dahl’s imagination knew no bounds, and generations of us grew up dreaming of chocolate rivers, giant peaches and a very smart little girl called Matilda. If you’re expecting and love the idea of a name with a story behind it, his world of characters is full of inspiration — from the classic to the wonderfully quirky.
There are some real gems hiding in Roald Dahl’s books, and whether you want something timeless or something a little more unusual, there’s likely a character in here to suit.
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Scrumdiddlyumptious Roald Dahl Baby Names
As the mum to a Matilda, it’s safe to say I’m a big Roald Dahl fan — and quite a few of these names made it onto my own favourites list before we settled on hers.
Take a look through the A-Z below and see which one is your favourite. Hortensia, anyone?
A
- Agatha (Matilda)
- Alfie (Esio Trot)
- Amanda (Matilda)
- Arthur (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory)
- Augustus (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory)
B
- Billy (The Giraffe and the Pelly and Me)
- Bruce (Matilda)
C
- Charlie (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory)
D
- Danny (Danny, the Champion of the World)
E
- Eva (The Witches)
F
- Felicity (Fantastic Mr Fox)
G
- George (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory)
- Georgina (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory)
H
- Hortensia (Matilda)
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J
- James (James and the Giant Peach)
- Jemima (Chitty Chitty Bang Bang)
- Jennifer (Matilda)
- Jeremy (Chitty Chitty Bang Bang)
- Joe (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory)
- Josephine (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory)
L
- Lavender (Matilda)
- Luke (The Witches)
M
- Magnus (Matilda)
- Matilda (Matilda)
- Mike (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory)
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Q
- Quentin (after Quentin Blake, Roald Dahl’s much-loved illustrator)
R
- Roald (after the author himself)
- Roberta (Esio Trot)
S
- Sophie (The BFG)
V
- Victor (Danny, the Champion of the World)
- Violet (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory)
W
- Willy (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory)
Z
- Zinnia (Matilda)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most popular Roald Dahl baby name?
Matilda is by far the best-loved of Dahl’s character names, thanks to the clever, book-loving heroine of the same title. Charlie and Sophie are also firm favourites, both carrying a gentle, timeless feel.
Are Roald Dahl names only for die-hard fans?
Not at all. Many of the names on this list — like James, Charlie, Sophie and Amanda — are simply lovely, classic names in their own right. You don’t need to have read the books to love them; the Roald Dahl connection is just a nice extra layer of meaning.
Can I use a Roald Dahl name as a middle name instead?
Absolutely. If a first name like Matilda or Sophie feels like a big commitment, a middle name is a lovely way to nod to a favourite childhood author without it being the main event.
Where can I find more unusual or literary baby name ideas?
We’ve rounded up plenty more inspiration, including nature names, vintage names and flower names, linked throughout this article — well worth a browse if you’re still deciding.
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Save This for Later
Still deciding on the perfect name? Bookmark this list and browse our other baby name collections whenever inspiration strikes — there’s no rush to decide today.
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