FOR THE PERFECT SECRET IDENTITY
From Adam to Zatanna and beyond...
by Jamie Kenney
Updated:
Originally Published:
Are you team Marvel or DC? DC Comics has produced some of the most iconic superheroes of all time — Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman to name just a few, and to say nothing of the incredible villains they’ve created over the years. Sometimes schlocky good fun, other times gritty and dark, these stories have inspired generations of fans. So why not use a baby name inspired by DC characters? OK, maybe no one is about to name their kids Joker and Arm-Fall-Off Boy (a real DC character... for some reason) but there are plenty of DC character baby names for you to consider...
Boy names inspired by DC characters
Names in this category run from “classic names that were most popular in the 1930s and ’40s” to far more edgy and modern names that would fit in with any 21st century kindergarten class. That is to say there’s something for everyone. Mostly, these are the real names/secret identities of superheroes (and villains), but every now and then a character gets it right with their alias.
- Adam: aka Black Adam, a powerful magician officially called Teth-Adam who toggles between using his power to help humanity and harm it.
- Ares: The Greek god of war who has taken on many forms over the centuries; it often falls upon Wonder Woman to stop him.
- Arthur: Arthur Curry is better known as Aquaman, the bridge between the human world and his undersea kingdom of Atlantis.
- Bane: This super-strong villain (real name Eduardo Dorrance) is determined to amass power and is one of Batman’s worthiest opponents.
- Batson: The surname of Billy, who becomes Shazam, a hero endowed with ancient magical powers. You could go with Batson or Billy but Shazam just doesn’t have the same ring to it.
- Bruce: Bruce Wayne is a billionaire who defends Gotham City as Batman from corruption and a seemingly neverending parade of eccentric villains.
- Carmine: Carmine “The Roman” Falcone is a mob boss in Gotham City and, TBH? Carmine, Roman, or Falcone all work as boy names inspired by DC.
- Clark: The man himself. The Super Man, if you will. Clark Kent was born on an alien planet and raised in Smallville. When he’s not saving the world, he’s a reporter for The Daily Planet.
- Damian: The son of Batman and Ra’s al Ghul’s daughter, Damian was raised in the shadow of villains for years before joining his dad’s quest for justice.
- Gordon: James Gordon is the well-meaning commissioner of Gotham’s (often corrupt) police force, and a steadfast ally of Batman.
- Harvey: Harvey Dent was a rising star in Gotham court rooms, but a horrible accident drove him mad and transformed him into Two-Face.
- Jay: One of several men to take up the mantle of The Flash, Jay Garrick can move at super-human speeds. This could also be a nod to Jay Nakamura, the boyfriend of Jon Kent, Superman’s son and inheritor of his super-persona.
- Jordan: Hal Jordan is better known as (one of) the Green Lantern(s), whose magic ring gives him a variety of superpowers. Just don’t paint the nursery yellow. (IYKYK.)
- Lex: Look, is Lex Luthor basically the epitome of a bad guy. Sure. But his name is awesome... and ironic! It comes from “Alexander” which means “defender of mankind.”
- Lucius: There is no Batman without Lucius Fox, the CEO of Wayne Enterprises and genius inventor of many of Batman’s favorite accessories.
- Oliver: Oliver “Ollie” Queen is the Green Arrow, a vigilante who uses his bow and arrow to fight crime
- Oswald: This is a big name for a little boy, but even though this is the name of one of Gotham’s worst villains, Oswald Cobblepot aka The Penguin, “Ozzie” is just such a great nickname.
- Robin: Sure you could go with Dick (Robin’s real name) but, like, are you going to do that to a kid here in the 21st century?
- Simon: Simon Jones is Psimon, a villain who skulks about the Batman extended universe.
- Vic: Vic Stone is a superhero and member of the Justice League who struggles to balance the incredible powers he’s received through robotic technology and his humanity.
Girl names inspired by DC characters
Because most (though not all) of the characters on this list are much newer than many of the characters on the list of boy names inspired by DC characters, you’ll find they tend to be a bit more modern and unique. But don’t worry: there’s still plenty of classic girl names on the list for your traditionalists out there. From kicka** heroines to deliciously wicked (and psychologically complex) villains an anti-heroines, DC is chock-full-o-very cool female characters with equally cool names.
- Amaya: The true (royal) name of Amy Winston aka Amethyst, who defends Earth and her home planet of Gemworld.
- Cassandra: Raised to be an assassin by her wicked parents, Cassandra Cain was eventually taken under Batman’s leathery wing to be the fourth Batgirl.
- Diana: Daughter of Hippolyta, Queen of the Amazons and Zeus himself, Princess Diana left her all-female island of Themyscira (for some reason) to defend the world of men as Wonder Woman while maintaining a secret identity as Diana Prince.
- Donna: Though she’s used many names, Donna Troy is perhaps best known as the first Wonder Girl.
- Etta: Etta Candy is Wonder Woman’s BFF and, per DC, “stands as a representation for the power of sisterhood.”
- Harley: Everyone’s favorite psychiatrist turned henchwoman turned anti-hero, Harley Quinn, needs no introduction (also, Quinn is a great choice as well).
- Helena: Helena Bertinelli is also known as The Huntress, who is motivated by a personal vendetta against the mob.
- Iris: Iris West is a reporter and girlfriend of Barry Allen aka The Flash.
- Ivy: Poison Ivy is the alias of Dr. Pamela Isley, a botanist who wants to see the natural world thrive, even if that means humanity doesn’t.
- Jade: the alias of Jennifer-Lynn Hayden, the daughter of the original Green Lantern.
- Kara: Kara-Zor-El is Supergirl, the Kryptonian first cousin of Super Man.
- Lane: You could go with Lois, but Lane feels jazzier and more modern. (Lois Lane is, of course, an intrepid reporter at The Daily Planet and Superman’s #1 gal.)
- Lyla: Lyla Michaels is Harbinger, a magically trained entity who summons superheroes from across time and space to save the multiverse.
- Mera: Mera is a Y'Mera Xebella Challa, the queen of Atlantis and Aquaman’s soul mate.
- Raven: Raven is the offspring of a human and a demon and is a founder of the Teen Titans.
- Selina: Selina Kyle is better known as Catwoman, Batman’s sometime-nemesis, sometime-love interest.
- Talia: Talia Al Ghul, like Selina Kyle, is sometimes Batman’s foe and sometimes his lover... apparently, Batman’s got a type.
- Troia: Remember how Wonder Girl Donna Troy has a lot of aliases? Well, this is one of them!
- Veronica: Veronica Cale is a genius pharmaceutical tycoon/supervillain and one of Wonder Woman’s wiliest foes.
- Zatanna: Like her father before her, Zatanna is a stage magician who actually possesses incredible magical powers.
Whatever your choice, it’s safe to say that going with one of these comic-inspired names will be... super.
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