We have so many places where we can get inspiration for baby names: Our favorite books, our favorite TV shows, and yep — even the shows we used to love watching on Saturday mornings before our parents would get out of bed. Though many cartoons are long before our time, the big ones (like Peanuts and Looney Tunes) have stood the test of time and are still something kids watch today, and a few have even left a mark on some of us big enough to encourage us to pay tribute to our favorite characters when we're naming our children.
From Betty Boop to Casper the Friendly Ghost, classic cartoon characters are classic for a reason: Though the animation styles and technology may have changed, the cartoons themselves have remained timeless. And thinking back to the shows we loved watching the most, we can think of a lot of names we'd pass on to our children because of how much these cartoons impacted us when we were kids ourselves.
Read on for baby boy and baby girl names that are inspired by our favorite classic cartoons.
BETTY
When we think about classic cartoons, our minds immediately go to Betty Boop: one of the most recognizable characters in history. She made her debut on 1930 and left quite a mark on animation, so why not honor a baby girl with her name?
MINNIE
It doesn't get more classic than Minnie Mouse — and it helps that her name is adorable, too. Though it's not quite as popular as it once was, old-fashioned names like Minnie are coming back into style, and it would definitely be a quirky choice.
OLIVE
Lately, we've seen names like Olive starting to trend again — but are they in reference to Popeye's wife? Though naming a baby-to-be Olive Oyl might be going a bit too far, Olive is happy medium (and the name of Drew Barrymore's oldest daughter).
JESSICA
Looking for a baby name that is a direct reference to classic cartoons without it being quite so obvious? Jessica is a good choice. It's a solid name that stands the test of time — and the name of Jessica Rabbit from Who Framed Roger Rabbit?
LUCY
The Peanuts cartoons are still so beloved that it seems like all of the characters on the show deserve a spot on this list, but as far as the girls go, let's leave it at Lucy: the bossy and headstrong character who can't help her crush on Schroeder.
WILMA
Many of us have happy memories of watching The Flintstones, and their family would never have been able to run without matriarch Wilma Flintstone! She has hair to die for and was an amazing mom to Pebbles.
JUDY
Those of us who adored The Flintstones as kids probably loved The Jetsons just as much. They were a totally different family, but who didn't want to live in their house? It's a bummer that our own future didn't turn out like theirs, but naming our baby Judy after the daughter of the family might be a nice nod to the show.
JANE
Another beloved Jetsons character who deserves a namesake is Jane — the lady at the head of the family. It also helps that Jane is rising in popularity these days, too, for those who are hoping to stay ahead of the trends.
DAPHNE
The name Daphne is a classic — and it also happens to belong to a certain redheaded character from Scooby Doo. Sure, Velma is also an option, but Daphne just has a certain ring to it that makes it sound a bit better for a baby girl (no offense, Velma).
MAGGIE
Over the years (and 32 seasons and counting), The Simpsons has supplied us with plenty of characters and so much character name inspiration. But when we think of this cartoon, we instantly think of the actual baby, Maggie. So cute!
SYLVESTER
One of the biggest classic cartoons ever is Looney Tunes — there's no arguments there. And for fans of a certain black and white cat, Sylvester might not be a bad name for a baby boy, especially since it allows the use of the adorable nickname Sly.
JERRY
Who could forget the duo that made Tom & Jerry an unforgettable cartoon? The name Tom is common, but Jerry is a bit less so — and with the remake recently hitting theaters, it's timely, too!
CHARLIE
For all those Peanuts fans out there, here's a name that definitely belongs on this list — especially since most of us would never name our kid Snoopy! Charlie is an awesome (and timeless) option, though, and potentially gender neutral, too.
SAM
Taking it back to Looney Tunes, let's just admit it: Yosemite Sam is a lot more beloved than some might think after he spent his days duking it out with Bugs Bunny! Using the name Sam is a great way to pay tribute to this cartoon and character.
MARVIN
One more Looney Tunes-themed name for consideration: Marvin — after Marvin the Martian, of course. This character was everywhere and so trendy in the '90s, so those of us who grew up loving him might like the idea of naming our child after him, too.
CASPER
Before Casper was a CGI ghost in the '90s movie starring Christina Ricci, he was a classic cartoon character who made his cartoon debut in the '40s. Casper would be a quirky name choice for a baby boy (especially for those of us who may or may not have had a crush on him as kids in that '90s movie we mentioned).
FELIX
Taking it all the way back to 1919, let's pay tribute to Felix the Cat, who made his debut when cartoons were still silent. Felix might be a good name for a baby boy — and that goes double for one who happens to be just as mischievous and playful as the cat.
FRED
There are plenty of boy names to inspire us on The Flintstones, too. But just in case Barney or Bamm-Bamm doesn't sound quite right, maybe consider Fred? After all, Fred Flintstone has become a cartoon icon. There's no Flintstones without him!
ROCKY
Rocky & Bullwinkle's history goes all the way back to the late '50s, and in 2018, they returned with a new series on Amazon Prime. Rocky would be an adorable name for a baby boy, though it would definitely work for a girl, too.
ROGER
Just as we mentioned Jessica Rabbit, we've gotta shout out Roger Rabbit, too. He's hilarious, his movie is a classic, and his name means "famous warrior" in German, so basically, it's perfect all around.
