One of the greatest compliments motion-picture fans can give to an actor is naming their child after a character played by an actor. Since films have become a part of American culture, many cinemagoers have named their sons after a character who’s made an impression on them.
To determine the fastest-growing boy names inspired by movies, 24/7 Tempo reviewed data on baby names from the U.S. Social Security Administration. Names featured in major movies were ranked based on the change in the number of boys receiving the name one year after the film’s release. Only characters in movies that grossed at least $25 million at the U.S. box office were considered. Names with large one-year, post-film increases that began growing in popularity prior to the film’s release were excluded.
Sci-fi/fantasy movies, films with a historical theme, and animated motion pictures featured characters that most resonated with cinephiles.
Characters from sci-fi/fantasy on our list who touched fans in a profound way were Neo (“The Matrix”), Perseus (“Clash of Titans”), Newt (“Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials”), and Kitai (“After Earth”). (Also See Boys and Girls Names That Are Disappearing the Fastest.)
Among the history-themed films on our list whose characters’ names were memorialized by fans were Achilles (“Troy”), Maximus (“Gladiator”), Wyatt Earp (“Tombstone”), Avner (“Munich”), and Branch (“42”). Characters from animation films figure prominently on our list, among them Maui (“Moana”), Manolo (“The Boat of Life”), Timon (“The Lion King”), and Flynn (“Tangled”). Two roles played by Brad Pitt made the list, Achilles (“Troy”) and Tristan (“Legends of the Fall.” Two characters from the animated movie “Ice Age” made the list, Diego and Sid.
In terms of highest total names on our list, Sebastian (“Cruel Intentions”) climbed from 2,378 to 5,029 in 2000, the year after the movie came out. Tristan (“Legends of the Fall”) leaped more than 527% to 3,088 in 1995 from 492 the prior year.
Scroll below to see fast-growing boy names inspired by movies.
45. Diego
Source: Courtesy of Twentieth Century Fox
Source: Courtesy of Twentieth Century Fox
- Inspiration: Ice Age (2002)
- Change in boys named Diego, 2002 to 2003: +28.7% (3,978 to 5,119)
- Boys named Diego in 2022: 2,958
44. Enzo
Source: Courtesy of Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
Source: Courtesy of Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
- Inspiration: The Art of Racing in the Rain (2019)
- Change in boys named Enzo, 2019 to 2020: +29.3% (1,713 to 2,215)
- Boys named Enzo in 2022: 3,077
43. Ethan
Source: Courtesy of Paramount Pictures
Source: Courtesy of Paramount Pictures
- Inspiration: Mission: Impossible (1996)
- Change in boys named Ethan, 1996 to 1997: +33.4% (5,853 to 7,806)
- Boys named Ethan in 2022: 8,271
42. Sid
Source: Courtesy of Twentieth Century Fox
Source: Courtesy of Twentieth Century Fox
- Inspiration: Ice Age (2002)
- Change in boys named Sid, 2002 to 2003: +35.7% (14 to 19)
- Boys named Sid in 2022: 15
41. Champ
Source: Courtesy of DreamWorks Distribution
Source: Courtesy of DreamWorks Distribution
- Inspiration: Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004)
- Change in boys named Champ, 2004 to 2005: +38.5% (13 to 18)
- Boys named Champ in 2022: 34
40. Ace
Source: Courtesy of Warner Bros.
Source: Courtesy of Warner Bros.
- Inspiration: Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls (1995)
- Change in boys named Ace, 1995 to 1996: +39.4% (33 to 46)
- Boys named Ace in 2022: 2,474
39. Michelangelo
Source: Courtesy of Warner Bros.
Source: Courtesy of Warner Bros.
- Inspiration: TMNT (2007)
- Change in boys named Michelangelo, 2007 to 2008: +40.0% (20 to 28)
- Boys named Michelangelo in 2022: 54
38. August
Source: Courtesy of Warner Bros.
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Source: Courtesy of Warner Bros.
- Inspiration: August Rush (2007)
- Change in boys named August, 2007 to 2008: +40.9% (413 to 582)
- Boys named August in 2022: 3,403
37. Dashiell
Source: Courtesy of Buena Vista Home Entertainment
Source: Courtesy of Buena Vista Home Entertainment
- Inspiration: The Incredibles (2004)
- Change in boys named Dashiell, 2004 to 2005: +47.5% (59 to 87)
- Boys named Dashiell in 2022: 91
36. Newt
Source: Courtesy of Twentieth Century Fox
Source: Courtesy of Twentieth Century Fox
- Inspiration: Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials (2015)
- Change in boys named Newt, 2015 to 2016: +50.0% (8 to 12)
- Boys named Newt in 2022: 15
35. Tobias
Source: Courtesy of Lions Gate Films
Source: Courtesy of Lions Gate Films
- Inspiration: Divergent (2014)
- Change in boys named Tobias, 2014 to 2015: +51.6% (740 to 1,122)
- Boys named Tobias in 2022: 1,244
34. Tripp
Source: Courtesy of Paramount Pictures
Source: Courtesy of Paramount Pictures
- Inspiration: Failure to Launch (2006)
- Change in boys named Tripp, 2006 to 2007: +54.9% (113 to 175)
- Boys named Tripp in 2022: 707
33. Bodhi
Source: Joe Maher / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images
Source: Joe Maher / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images
- Inspiration: Point Break (2015)
- Change in boys named Bodhi, 2015 to 2016: +57.1% (585 to 919)
- Boys named Bodhi in 2022: 1,112
31. Branch
Source: Courtesy of Warner Bros.
Source: Courtesy of Warner Bros.
- Inspiration: 42 (2013)
- Change in boys named Branch, 2013 to 2014: +66.7% (15 to 25)
- Boys named Branch in 2022: 58
32. Tuvia
Source: Courtesy of Paramount Vantage
Source: Courtesy of Paramount Vantage
- Inspiration: Defiance (2008)
- Change in boys named Tuvia, 2008 to 2009: +66.7% (9 to 15)
- Boys named Tuvia in 2022: 11
30. Arlo
Source: Courtesy of Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
Source: Courtesy of Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
- Inspiration: The Good Dinosaur (2015)
- Change in boys named Arlo, 2015 to 2016: +68.6% (579 to 976)
- Boys named Arlo in 2022: 2,204
29. Simba
Source: Courtesy of Walt Disney Animation Studios
Source: Courtesy of Walt Disney Animation Studios
- Inspiration: The Lion King (1994)
- Change in boys named Simba, 1994 to 1995: +80.0% (5 to 9)
- Boys named Simba in 2022: 17
28. Cliff
Source: Courtesy of Sony Pictures Releasing
Source: Courtesy of Sony Pictures Releasing
- Inspiration: Once Upon a Time… In Hollywood (2019)
- Change in boys named Cliff, 2019 to 2020: +80.8% (26 to 47)
- Boys named Cliff in 2022: 33
27. Perseus
Source: Courtesy of Warner Bros.
Source: Courtesy of Warner Bros.
- Inspiration: Clash of the Titans (2010)
- Change in boys named Perseus, 2010 to 2011: +82.4% (17 to 31)
- Boys named Perseus in 2022: 129
26. Jafar
Source: Courtesy of Buena Vista Pictures
Source: Courtesy of Buena Vista Pictures
- Inspiration: Aladdin (1992)
- Change in boys named Jafar, 1992 to 1993: +85.7% (7 to 13)
- Boys named Jafar in 2022: 11
25. Caine
Source: Courtesy of New Line Cinema
Source: Courtesy of New Line Cinema
- Inspiration: Menace II Society (1993)
- Change in boys named Caine, 1993 to 1994: +93.3% (30 to 58)
- Boys named Caine in 2022: 75
24. Avner
Source: Courtesy of Universal Pictures
Source: Courtesy of Universal Pictures
- Inspiration: Munich (2005)
- Change in boys named Avner, 2005 to 2006: +100.0% (7 to 14)
- Boys named Avner in 2022: 14
23. Romeo
Source: Courtesy of Twentieth Century Fox
Source: Courtesy of Twentieth Century Fox
- Inspiration: Romeo + Juliet (1996)
- Change in boys named Romeo, 1996 to 1997: +103.8% (130 to 265)
- Boys named Romeo in 2022: 1,038
22. Timon
Source: Courtesy of Walt Disney Animation Studios
Source: Courtesy of Walt Disney Animation Studios
- Inspiration: The Lion King (1994)
- Change in boys named Timon, 1994 to 1995: +111.1% (9 to 19)
- Boys named Timon in 2022: 5
21. Hiro
Source: Courtesy of Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
Source: Courtesy of Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
- Inspiration: Big Hero 6 (2014)
- Change in boys named Hiro, 2014 to 2015: +111.4% (35 to 74)
- Boys named Hiro in 2022: 67
20. Sebastian
Source: Courtesy of Columbia Pictures
Source: Courtesy of Columbia Pictures
- Inspiration: Cruel Intentions (1999)
- Change in boys named Sebastian, 1999 to 2000: +111.5% (2,378 to 5,029)
- Boys named Sebastian in 2022: 9,341
19. Adonis
Source: Courtesy of Warner Bros.
Source: Courtesy of Warner Bros.
- Inspiration: Creed (2015)
- Change in boys named Adonis, 2015 to 2016: +123.7% (359 to 803)
- Boys named Adonis in 2022: 1,603
18. Carlito
Source: Courtesy of Universal Pictures
Source: Courtesy of Universal Pictures
- Inspiration: Carlito’s Way (1993)
- Change in boys named Carlito, 1993 to 1994: +133.3% (12 to 28)
- Boys named Carlito in 2022: 16
17. Leopold
Source: Courtesy of Miramax
Source: Courtesy of Miramax
- Inspiration: Kate & Leopold (2001)
- Change in boys named Leopold, 2001 to 2002: +136.8% (19 to 45)
- Boys named Leopold in 2022: 100
16. Manolo
Source: Courtesy of Twentieth Century Fox
Source: Courtesy of Twentieth Century Fox
- Inspiration: The Book of Life (2014)
- Change in boys named Manolo, 2014 to 2015: +137.9% (29 to 69)
- Boys named Manolo in 2022: 77
15. Eragon
Source: Courtesy of Twentieth Century Fox
Source: Courtesy of Twentieth Century Fox
- Inspiration: Eragon (2006)
- Change in boys named Eragon, 2006 to 2007: +140.0% (5 to 12)
- Boys named Eragon in 2022: 8
14. Wyatt
Source: Courtesy of Buena Vista Pictures
Source: Courtesy of Buena Vista Pictures
- Inspiration: Tombstone (1993)
- Change in boys named Wyatt, 1993 to 1994: +145.9% (628 to 1,544)
- Boys named Wyatt in 2022: 7,144
13. Flynn
Source: Courtesy of Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
Source: Courtesy of Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
- Inspiration: Tangled (2010)
- Change in boys named Flynn, 2010 to 2011: +161.7% (81 to 212)
- Boys named Flynn in 2022: 368
12. Aslan
Source: Courtesy of Buena Vista Pictures
Source: Courtesy of Buena Vista Pictures
- Inspiration: The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (2005)
- Change in boys named Aslan, 2005 to 2006: +183.3% (18 to 51)
- Boys named Aslan in 2022: 136
11. Dastan
Source: Courtesy of Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
Source: Courtesy of Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
- Inspiration: Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time (2010)
- Change in boys named Dastan, 2010 to 2011: +221.1% (19 to 61)
- Boys named Dastan in 2022: 10
10. Xander
Source: Courtesy of Sony Pictures Releasing
Source: Courtesy of Sony Pictures Releasing
- Inspiration: xXx (2002)
- Change in boys named Xander, 2002 to 2003: +249.0% (408 to 1,424)
- Boys named Xander in 2022: 1,892
9. Kitai
Source: Courtesy of Columbia Pictures
Source: Courtesy of Columbia Pictures
- Inspiration: After Earth (2013)
- Change in boys named Kitai, 2013 to 2014: +287.5% (16 to 62)
- Boys named Kitai in 2022: 16
8. Aladdin
Source: Courtesy of Buena Vista Pictures
Source: Courtesy of Buena Vista Pictures
- Inspiration: Aladdin (1992)
- Change in boys named Aladdin, 1992 to 1993: +300.0% (6 to 24)
- Boys named Aladdin in 2022: 20
7. Achilles
Source: Courtesy of Warner Bros.
Source: Courtesy of Warner Bros.
- Inspiration: Troy (2004)
- Change in boys named Achilles, 2004 to 2005: +315.6% (32 to 133)
- Boys named Achilles in 2022: 188
6. Maximus
Source: Courtesy of DreamWorks Distribution
Source: Courtesy of DreamWorks Distribution
- Inspiration: Gladiator (2000)
- Change in boys named Maximus, 2000 to 2001: +374.5% (188 to 892)
- Boys named Maximus in 2022: 1,266
5. Tre
Source: Courtesy of Columbia Pictures
Source: Courtesy of Columbia Pictures
- Inspiration: Boyz n the Hood (1991)
- Change in boys named Tre, 1991 to 1992: +379.6% (108 to 518)
- Boys named Tre in 2022: 74
4. Neo
Source: Courtesy of Warner Bros.
Source: Courtesy of Warner Bros.
- Inspiration: The Matrix (1999)
- Change in boys named Neo, 1999 to 2000: +383.3% (24 to 116)
- Boys named Neo in 2022: 239
3. Tristan
Source: Courtesy of TriStar Pictures
Source: Courtesy of TriStar Pictures
- Inspiration: Legends of the Fall (1994)
- Change in boys named Tristan, 1994 to 1995: +527.6% (492 to 3,088)
- Boys named Tristan in 2022: 1,588
2. Kylo
Source: Courtesy of Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
Source: Courtesy of Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
- Inspiration: Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens (2015)
- Change in boys named Kylo, 2015 to 2016: +580.0% (35 to 238)
- Boys named Kylo in 2022: 707
1. Maui
Source: Courtesy of Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
Source: Courtesy of Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
- Inspiration: Moana (2016)
- Change in boys named Maui, 2016 to 2017: +740.0% (5 to 42)
- Boys named Maui in 2022: 16