"As a millennial born in 1992, Disney was a huge part of my childhood. According to my mom, I used to watch Aladdin on repeat as a toddler and I was a Disney princess for a few Halloweens before I hit age 10. I was lucky enough to visit Walt Disney World several times as a kid on family vacations, and watching Disney Channel (particularly DCOMs) was my favorite pastime. So when the idea of writing an article on Disney-inspired baby names came across my desk, I was thrilled to take on the fun assignment of digging through Disney history for all the best picks.
Whether you’re a self-proclaimed Disney adult or simply love watching classic animated Disney flicks for all the nostalgic feels, it’s probably safe to say that Disney and its many, many entities has touched all of our lives in some way. And now that many young Disney fans are becoming parents themselves, they may be looking to Walt, Mickey, and tons of movies, TV shows, and attractions within the Disney universe for inspo when choosing names for their little ones.
From beloved movie character names like Alice and Woody to monikers with less-obvious Disney connections including Poppy and Miller, this list is full of 60+ Disney baby names perfect for the newest little fan in your life. Plus, see what other parents are loving with new research on the Top 10 most popular Disney-inspired names!
Top 10 Most Popular Disney-Inspired Baby Names
Recent research from BeenVerified.com shows that there are 10 Disney-inspired baby names that parents hold more affection for than the rest. Here are the top 10 options:
1. Merida
Origin: Spanish | Meaning: Merit
Coming in at number one on this list is the spunky Scot from Brave, Merida. Among the most courageous of the Disney princesses, it’s no wonder parents are loving giving their little ones this name meaning “merit.”
2. Koda
Origin: Native American | Meaning: Friend
Just like your eyes are sure to fill with tears at the proud first look at your newborn, we’re all sure to have a good cry sesh during a Brother Bear rewatch. A modern version of the Native American Dakota, the sweet but strong title means “friend.”
3. Moana
Origin: Hawaiian | Meaning: Ocean, sea
It’s no surprise the name Moana exemplifies the beauty of the ocean as it’s likely that most people associate it with the star of Disney’s breakout 2016 hit Moana.
4. Finnick
Origin: British | Meaning: Dwelling place
Adorable and classic always makes for the perfect baby name combination. This name meaning “dwelling place” is brought to our list by the cunning fox from Zootopia.
5. Mirabel
Origin: Latin | Meaning: Of wondrous beauty
The name Mirabel has risen in popularity over the last few years thanks to the popularity of 2021’s Encanto. In the film, the youngest Madrigal daughter helps save the fate of her family’s magical gifts, making her a wonderful namesake for any girl in your family.
6. Ariel
Origin: Hebrew | Meaning: Lion of God
Whether you’re a fan of Disney’s 1989 animated film The Little Mermaid or its 2023 live-action remake starring Halle Bailey, Princess Ariel is an iconic character with a name that any little princess would be lucky to have.
7. Flynn
Origin: Irish | Meaning: Descendant of the red-haired one
Though Flynn Rider’s real name is Eugene Fitzherbert in the movie Tangled, Flynn would be a great name to give any little boy due to the character’s charm, quick wit, and love for Rapunzel. (Bonus points if mom or dad is a redhead!)
8. Raya
Origin: Hebrew | Meaning: Friend
A name with rich history, Raya has Hebrew, Latin, and Bulgarian ties. Not to mention the title character of Disney’s Raya and the Last Dragon!
9. Camilo
Origin: Spanish | Meaning: Helper to the priest, Noble
Another Encanto inclusion, Camilo is known for his shape-shifting abilities. He has a “noble” Spanish name that would make a cute moniker for a baby in your family.
10. Elsa
Origin: German and Swiss | Meaning: Pledged to God
Elsa, the Queen of Arendelle and Princess Anna’s older sister, is the star of Disney’s super-popular Frozen franchise. This royal name would be fit for any little Disney fan—we love it so much we can’t let it go (see what we did there?!).
Disney-Inspired Baby Names for Girls
Alice
Origin: German | Meaning: Noble
Disney Tie: One of the most classic Disney movies of all time, the 1951 film Alice in Wonderland introduced the world to darling character Alice. Though the name Alice was most popular during the early 1900s, it’s grown in popularity in recent years due to its old-fashioned and grandma-chic style.
Anna
Origin: Hebrew | Meaning: Grace or favor
Disney Tie: Princess Anna and her sister are, basically, all little kids have talked about since Frozen hit the big screen in 2013—so why not honor Disney’s highest-grossing animated movie of all time by giving your little one this name that sweetly means “grace” or “favor”?
Aurora
Origin: Latin | Meaning: Dawn
Disney Tie: The name Aurora has a regal Disney tie with Princess Aurora—also known as Briar Rose—from 1959’s Sleeping Beauty. Plus, its meaning, “dawn,” is a cheeky reference to the many sleepless nights and early mornings you’ll spend snuggled with your newborn.
Belle/Bell
Origin: French | Meaning: Beautiful, fair, lovely one
Disney Tie: Perhaps the most famous Disney princess of all is Belle from the 1991 animated movie Beauty and the Beast. As if that isn’t enough, the more unique Bell is also a nod to everyone’s favorite (and delightfully sassy) fairy, Tinker Bell, from 1953’s Peter Pan.
Clara
Origin: Latin | Meaning: Bright, famous
Disney Tie: Seasoned Disney fans may recognize the name Clara from Clarabelle Cow, a character from the Oswald Rabbit cartoons of the early 1920s. And, today, parents might know her from the popular kids show Mickey Mouse Clubhouse.
Daisy
Origin: British | Meaning: Day’s eye, flower
Disney Tie: You probably know that Mickey Mouse’s gaggle of friends includes Minnie Mouse, Goofy, Pluto, and Donald Duck—but don’t forget Daisy Duck, too! The name Daisy has a perfectly-vintage vibe while also feeling modern, making it an adorable name for your new baby girl.
Diane
Origin: Latin | Meaning: Diving, valley
Disney Tie: Walt Disney, the genius animator and storyteller behind nearly all of the aforementioned characters, was also a father to two daughters, Diane Disney Miller and Sharon Mae Disney. Though the name Diane peaked in popularity around the 1950s, it’s a lovely choice for any Disney fan due to its subtle ties to Mr. Disney himself.
Dory
Origin: Greek | Meaning: Gift
Disney Tie: “Just keep swimming, just keep swimming…” We love the name Dory for its connection to Disney/Pixar’s 2003 animated film Finding Nemo and its sequel Finding Dory. Additionally, Dory is similar in style to other popular names like Rory or Dora, making it extra sweet.
Ella
Origin: German | Meaning: Fairy maiden, goddess
Disney Tie: Another moniker that honors a beloved Disney princess, Ella is Cinderella’s given name. Long before she was nicknamed by her evil stepmother and stepsisters for doing chores like sweeping up cinders by the fire, Cinderella was simply Ella.
Esmeralda
Origin: Spanish | Meaning: Emerald
Disney Tie: Disney-lovers will know Esmeralda from the 1996 animated feature The Hunchback of Notre Dame. It’s a beautiful Spanish name with a gemstone meaning and the nickname Esme is adorable on its own, too.
Fawn/Fauna
Origin: French, Latin | Meaning: Young deer
Disney Tie: Though the names Fawn and Fauna have woodland meanings, they additionally both have fairy connections in the Disney universe. Fawn is the name of one of Tinker Bell’s fairy friends in the direct-to-DVD Tinker Bell movies and Fauna is one of Princess Aurora’s three fairy godmothers in the classic Disney flick Sleeping Beauty.
Flora
Origin: Latin | Meaning: Flower
Disney Tie: As mentioned above, Princess Aurora is visited by three fairy godmothers, Flora, Fauna, and Merryweather, in Sleeping Beauty. Flora is also the name of Walt Disney’s mother, Flora Call Disney.
Jasmine
Origin: Persian | Meaning: Gift from God
Disney Tie: Princess Jasmine is, of course, from 1992’s animated movie Aladdin and its live-action 2019 remake. It’s a beautiful name meaning “gift from God” with a connection to a Disney movie loved by many millennials who are now becoming parents.
Jessie
Origin: Hebrew and Scottish | Meaning: Wealthy
Disney Tie: Toy Story 2 introduced the world to Woody’s cowgirl friend, Jessie, and we’ve loved the name ever since. And fans of the Disney Channel might remember Jessie as the titular character (played by Debby Ryan) in the 2011-2015 TV series, Jessie.
Lillian/Lily
Origin: Latin | Meaning: Lily flower, pledged to God
Disney Tie: Another name with a direct connection to Walt Disney himself, Lillian was the name of Walt’s cherished wife, Lillian Marie Disney. The two were married for more than 40 years and Lillian worked as an ink artist at Walt Disney Studios. And, the nickname Lily is oh so sweet!
Lilo
Origin: Hawaiian | Meaning: Generous one
Disney Tie: Lilo, a young Hawaiian girl who lives with her older sister, Nani, is one of the main characters in Disney’s hit 2002 flick Lilo & Stitch. We love the name’s meaning, “generous one,” and any little girl named Lilo is sure to be a friend to anyone, just like Lilo’s character is to lovable alien Stitch.
Mae
Origin: British | Meaning: Rebellious, lovable
Disney Tie: Walt and Lillian Disney’s two daughters, Diane Disney Miller and Sharon Mae Disney, are a special part of Disney history. Honor the family that started it all by giving your little one Sharon’s middle name, Mae. We love that the moniker aligns with the popular coastal grandma baby name trend, too!
Mary
Origin: Latin | Meaning: Star of the sea, beloved
Disney Tie: Mary is, of course, the first name of Disney fans’ favorite British nanny, Mary Poppins. Additionally, Mary Blair was a famous artist, animator, and designer at The Walt Disney Company who was posthumously honored with the coveted Disney Legend title in 1991. She produced art and animation for classic Disney films including Alice in Wonderland, Peter Pan, and Cinderella, and created character designs for the iconic It’s a Small World ride.
Meg
Origin: Greek | Meaning: Pearl
Disney Tie: Though Meg has traditionally been a nickname for Megan or Margaret, we love the trend of shortened monikers as given first names. And Disney fans will know Meg (in this case, short for Megara) as Hercules’ love interest in the 1997 animated film Hercules.
Minnie
Origin: Hebrew | Meaning: Of the mind, intellect
Disney Tie: Is there a more classic Disney name than Minnie? Honor one of the most beloved and iconic characters of them all by giving your child this retro name that was historically a nickname for names like Mary, Minerva, and Miriam.
Nala
Origin: Swahili | Meaning: Successful, queen
Disney Tie: Any name with the meaning “queen” is a winner in our book. What makes the name Nala even better is its connection to Simba’s lifelong friend and partner in Disney’s 1994 movie The Lion King and its 2019 live-action remake.
Poppy
Origin: Latin | Meaning: Red flower
Disney Tie: The name Poppy is a cute take on Mary Poppins, the titular character in Disney’s acclaimed 1964 film Mary Poppins.
Retta
Origin: Latin | Meaning: Speaker, advice
Disney Tie: Another name with a deep connection to Disney history, Retta Scott was an artist and the first woman to receive screen credit as an animator at the Walt Disney Animation Studios for her work on 1942’s Bambi.
Ruth
Origin: Hebrew | Meaning: Friend
Disney Tie: Walt Disney grew up with four siblings but only had one sister: Ruth Flora Disney. Because she was only two years younger than Walt, Ruth remained close with her very-famous brother throughout his life and was a talent musician and organist herself.
Sally
Origin: Hebrew | Meaning: Princess
Disney Tie: Pay homage to Tim Burton’s famous Disney film The Nightmare Before Christmas and rag-doll character Sally Skellington with this moniker.
Tiana
Origin: Russian | Meaning: Princess
Disney Tie: It’s no surprise the name Tiana quite literally means “princess” as it was given to the main character in Disney’s 2009 movie-musical The Princess and the Frog. In the movie, Tiana is a hardworking waitress who becomes a princess (Disney’s first African-American princess, in fact) and later opens her own restaurant, making her a wonderful namesake for any little girl.
Wendy
Origin: British | Meaning: White, friend
Disney Tie: Wendy is the oldest of the Darling siblings in the 1953 animated movie Peter Pan. The character has also appeared in several other films within Disney’s Peter Pan franchise including 2002’s Return to Never Land, the Tinker Bell movie series, and 2023’s Peter Pan & Wendy.
Winnie
Origin: Welsh | Meaning: Fair bow, gentle friend
Disney Tie: The Winnie the Pooh character first entered the Disney universe back in 1966 and has since starred in countless short films, full-length movies, TV series, books, and park attractions. Though Disney’s Winnie the Pooh is a boy, the real-life bear he was originally named after was a girl. And since Winnie has become an adorable nickname-turned-given name for little gals, it rounds out our list of Disney baby names for girls!
Disney-Inspired Baby Names for Boys
Andy
Origin: Latin | Meaning: Brave, warrior
Disney Tie: Andy is from Disney’s Toy Story film franchise and the owner of the movies’ most-loved toy characters including Woody, Buzz Lightyear, and more.
Bear
Origin: German | Meaning: Strong and brave
Disney Tie: Disney films and TV series often feature beloved bear characters like Winnie the Pooh, Baloo from The Jungle Book, Little John from Robin Hood, Kenai from Brother Bear, and Bear from Bear in the Big Blue House, just to name a few.
Bert
Origin: German | Meaning: Bright
Disney Tie: Dick Van Dyke famously portrayed lovable chimney sweep Bert in 1964’s Mary Poppins. The character is so famous that Van Dyke was named a Disney Legend in 1998 and the actor remains the oldest-living Disney Legend today.
Briar
Origin: English | Meaning: Thorny bush of wild roses
Disney Tie: Devoted Disney fans will know that Princess Aurora also goes by the name Briar Rose in Sleeping Beauty. Though Briar is a beautiful moniker for a girl, we love that it’s a gender-neutral name that has steadily risen in popularity as a boy name each year since 2017.
Bruno
Origin: Brazilian | Meaning: Brown
Disney Tie: Usually we don’t talk about Bruno…but for this sake of this list, we must! There are two Disney characters notably named Bruno, both from 2021 movies: Mirabel’s uncle, Bruno Magrigal, in Encanto and Alberto’s father in Luca.
Buzz
Origin: American | Meaning: Village in the woods
Disney Tie: “To infinity and beyond!” The cool-guy name Buzz honors everyone’s favorite space ranger, Buzz Lightyear, from the Toy Story movies and his standalone origin story film, Lightyear. The character was named after real-life Apollo 11 astronaut Buzz Aldrin, who was the second man to walk on the moon.
Clark
Origin: Irish | Meaning: Scribe, clerk
Disney Tie: Naming your baby boy Clark would pay homage to one of Disney’s Nine Old Men, Les Clark. This distinguished group in Disney history consisted of Walt Disney Productions’ core animators who worked on some of the studios’ most-famous films including Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Cinderella, Peter Pan, Fantasia, and many more.
Dash
Origin: American | Meaning: To run quickly
Disney Tie: Dash is the nickname of the Parr family’s middle child, Dashiell, from the 2004 animated superhero flick The Incredibles and its 2018 sequel, Incredibles 2.
Davis
Origin: British | Meaning: Son of David, beloved
Disney Tie: Marc Davis, an artist, animator, and Imagineer, is another of Disney’s Nine Old Men and a Disney Legend. He’s most known as the artist behind some of Disney’s most memorable animated women including Cruella De Vil, Maleficent, and Tinker Bell and helped create the world’s first theme park, Disneyland.
Elias
Origin: Hebrew | Meaning: The Lord is my God
Disney Tie: Long before he became one of the most famous men in the world, Walt Disney was born to Elias and Flora Disney. When the couple welcomed their fourth son in 1901, they gave baby Walter the middle name Elias to honor his father.
Eric
Origin: Norse | Meaning: Forever ruler
Disney Tie: Disney princes often take a backseat to Disney princesses in popular culture, but Prince Eric from The Little Mermaid movies is one of the most famous, earning him a spot on our list of Disney names for boys.
Henry
Origin: German | Meaning: House ruler
Disney Tie: Did you know Prince Charming’s real name is Prince Henry in Cinderella? We love this name’s subtle nod to Disney—it’s truly a IYKYK fact.
Jack
Origin: English | Meaning: God is gracious
Disney Tie: There are a few notable Disney characters named Jack: Captain Jack Sparrow from the Pirates of the Caribbean film franchise, Jack Skellington from The Nightmare Before Christmas, baby Jack-Jack Parr from The Incredibles movies, and Jack Frost from The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause.
Luca
Origin: Italian | Meaning: Bringer of light
Disney Tie: Luca is the titular character from the 2021 animated Disney movie Luca. It’s one of many Italian-inspired names we love suggesting for baby boys!
Mickey
Origin: Hebrew | Meaning: Who resembles God?
Disney Tie: This name hardly needs any explanation. Mickey Mouse is quite literally the character that started it all when he was co-created by Walt Disney and Ub Iwerks back in 1928. Since then, he’s become the famous icon and mascot of The Walt Disney Company and all it encompasses.
Miller
Origin: British | Meaning: One who grinds grain
Disney Tie: Miller is the married last name of one of Walt Disney’s daughters, Sharon Disney Miller. Since surnames as first names are a huge new trend for baby names, this would be a great name for a little boy with an understated Disney tie.
Milo
Origin: German | Meaning: Soldier, merciful
Disney Tie: Milo Thatch is the protagonist of the oft-forgotten Disney animated movie Atlantis: The Lost Empire, which came out in 2001. In the movie, Milo is a linguist and cartography expert who leads an expedition to find the lost continent of Atlantis.
Ollie
Origin: Latin | Meaning: Olive tree, peaceful
Disney Tie: Ollie Johnston, a Disney Legend and one of Disney’s Nine Old Men, was an animator who worked on Pinocchio, Fantasia, and Bambi. We love that the name Ollie—often a nickname for Oliver—stands on its own as a given name and has skyrocketed to popularity in recent years with other vintage boy names.
Parker
Origin: Old English | Meaning: Park-keeper
Disney Tie: You know we love the last names as first names trend, and Peter Parker—aka Spider-Man—would be the perfect namesake for any Disney and Marvel fan in the making. Looking for more Marvel-inspired baby names? Click here!
Remy
Origin: French | Meaning: Oarsman, rower
Disney Tie: If you’re hoping to raise a little chef, look no further than the name Remy, the main character in Disney/Pixar’s 2007 animated movie Ratatouille.
Roy
Origin: Celtic | Meaning: Red, king
Disney Tie: Though Walt Disney had three brothers and one sister, his most famous sibling was Roy Disney. Not only did Roy co-found The Walt Disney Company, but he also served as the company’s first CEO and helped bring Florida’s Walt Disney World theme park to life after Walt’s death.
Sebastian
Origin: Greek | Meaning: Venerable, revered
Disney Tie: Everyone knows and loves Sebastian as Princess Ariel’s sidekick in The Little Mermaid. Plus, we love the nicknames Seb, Sebby, Baz, and Bash as a way to shorten this classic moniker.
Snow
Origin: English | Meaning: Frozen rain, light-haired
Disney Tie: Disney’s first-ever princess was Snow White, the star of Walt Disney Productions’ first full-length feature film, 1937’s Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Though Snow is a pretty name for a girl, it’s a gender-neutral option that would make a unique name for a boy, too.
Sulley
Origin: French and English | Meaning: South meadow
Disney Tie: In 2001’s Monsters, Inc. a dynamic BFF duo of friendly monsters named James P. Sullivan (aka Sulley) and Mike Wazowski work together to return a little girl, Boo, to the human world after she mistakenly enters the monster world they live in.
Troy
Origin: Irish and Greek | Meaning: Foot soldier
Disney Tie: Back in 2006, basketball big shot turned musical theater star Troy Bolton entered the Disney universe with the explosively-successful DCOM High School Musical and made actor Zac Efron a household name.
Walter/Walt
Origin: German | Meaning: Commander of the Army
Disney Tie: Like the name Mickey, the moniker Walt hardly needs explanation on this list. At the time of Walter Elias Disney’s birth in December 1901, the name Walter was the 12th most popular name for baby boys with several common nickname options including Walt and Wally.
Ward
Origin: British | Meaning: Guard
Disney Tie: The name Ward has another connection to Disney’s Nine Old Men group as it was the first name of animator Ward Kimball, an artist responsible for bringing movies Snow White, Pinocchio, and Dumbo to the big screen.
William/Willie
Origin: German | Meaning: Resolute protector
Disney Tie: In 1928, the animated short film Steamboat Willie catapulted iconic Disney characters Mickey and Minnie Mouse to stardom. Though William has always been a common name for boys, we love its old-fashioned style and plethora of cute nicknames like Will, Willie, Billy, and Buck, just to name a few.
Woody
Origin: American | Meaning: From the lane in the woods
Disney Tie: Last but certainly not least on our list of Disney baby names for boys is Woody, Andy’s toy best friend in the cherished Toy Story movies. The moniker was historically a nickname for Woodrow, but peaked in popularity as a given name in the early 1940s. With retro names back in style today, we think Woody would be the perfect fit for any rootin’-tootin’ little cowboy in your family.
Julia Poulter, Senior Managing Editor
With more than 10 years of editorial experience, Julia is passionate about bringing motherhood stories to life and providing moms with interesting and informative parenting content. Prior to joining The Everygirl Media Group in 2019, she served as Executive Editor at Closer Weekly. As The Everymom’s Senior Managing Editor, Julia helps manage the brand’s editorial calendar and content strategy.
Brett Nicole Hayden, Assistant Editor
As the Assistant Editor, Brett works with the editors of The Everymom on the content creation process by updating stories, sourcing images and graphics, and pitching and contributing her own articles. Her favorite topics to write about are culture, relationships, and living. She’s also The Everymom’s resident baby names and family movies expert!