70 Gilmore Girls Baby Names Inspired by Stars Hollow

If you’ve ever dreamed of raising a little Lorelai, Rory, Luke—or even Kirk—you’re in good company. Gilmore Girls baby names are having a moment, thanks to renewed nostalgia for Stars Hollow, a new generation discovering the series, and names like Lorelai climbing the baby name charts.

From beloved main characters to blink-and-you’ll-miss-them Stars Hollow residents, the series is packed with surprisingly memorable baby names. Some are timeless classics, some feel perfectly cool and modern, and others are delightfully unexpected.

So whether you’re looking for a subtle nod to your favorite comfort show or full-on Gilmore Girls inspired baby names, these 70 picks come straight from Stars Hollow, Chilton, Yale, and beyond.

Also Explore:

French Girl Names • French Boy Names • Rare Baby Names

In this Article

• Gilmore Girls Girl Names
• Gilmore Girls Boy Names
• Rare Gilmore Girls Baby Names
• Stars Hollow Baby Names
• Yale and Chilton Inspired Baby Names

Gilmore Girls Girl Names

Lorelai
The name at the very heart of Gilmore Girls, Lorelai belongs to both Lorelai Gilmore and her daughter Rory, whose full name is also Lorelai. The name has German roots and is associated with the legendary Lorelei rock along the Rhine River.

Rory
The nickname Lorelai chose for her daughter, Rory has become a standalone baby name in its own right. Traditionally an Irish name meaning “red king,” it has an effortlessly cool, modern feel.

Emily
Emily Gilmore is Lorelai’s polished, opinionated mother and Rory’s grandmother. A timeless classic, Emily comes from the Roman family name Aemilius and is often associated with “rival” or “eager.”

Lane
Lane Kim is Rory’s music-loving best friend and one of the most beloved characters in the series. Originally an English surname, Lane has become a sleek, modern baby name.

Paris
Paris Geller starts out as Rory’s intensely competitive Chilton rival before becoming one of her closest friends. The stylish destination name has long been used as a baby name and feels especially fitting for fans of the show.

Sookie
Sookie St. James is Lorelai’s best friend, talented chef and eventual business partner at the Dragonfly Inn. The unusual name is traditionally used as a nickname of Susan or Susanna.

April
April Nardini is Luke’s smart, science-loving daughter. The cheerful month name feels fresh, sweet and especially fitting for a spring baby.

Anna
Anna Nardini is April’s mother and one of Luke’s former girlfriends. Anna is a timeless name with Hebrew roots meaning “grace.”

Georgia
Georgia “Gigi” Hayden is Christopher and Sherry’s daughter and Rory’s younger half-sister. The feminine form of George, Georgia means “farmer” or “earthworker.”

Gigi
Gigi is the adorable nickname used for Rory’s younger half-sister, Georgia. It can also work as a nickname for names like Genevieve, Gianna, and Georgina.

Rachel
Rachel is Luke’s photographer ex-girlfriend who returns to Stars Hollow early in the series. The classic Hebrew name means “ewe.”

Nicole
Nicole Leahy is a lawyer who dates—and briefly marries—Luke. Nicole is the feminine form of Nicholas and means “victory of the people.”

Mia
Mia is the owner of the Independence Inn who gave teenage Lorelai a job and a place to live after she left home with Rory.

Clara
Clara Forester is Dean’s younger sister. Clara comes from Latin and means “bright” or “clear.”

Lindsay
Lindsay Lister is Dean’s high school girlfriend and later his wife. Originally a Scottish surname, Lindsay became especially popular as a girls’ name in the late 20th century.

Sherry
Sherry Tinsdale becomes Christopher’s girlfriend and the mother of Rory’s half-sister, Gigi. Sherry can stand alone or be used as a nickname for names like Sharon or Cheryl.

Liz
Liz Danes is Luke’s free-spirited younger sister and Jess Mariano’s mother. Liz is traditionally a nickname for Elizabeth.

Shira
Shira Huntzberger is Logan and Honor’s mother and Mitchum Huntzberger’s wife. Shira is a Hebrew name meaning “song” or “poetry.”

Pennilyn
Pennilyn Lott is Richard Gilmore’s former sweetheart from his Yale days AKA the woman Emily rather memorably refers to as his “college sweetheart.” Pennilyn is an extremely unique choice and comes with the nickname Lynnie.

Victoria
Victoria is Lorelai Gilmore’s middle name, making it one of the more subtle ways to give a baby name a connection to the show. The classic Latin name means “victory.”

Leigh
Leigh is Rory Gilmore’s middle name, with her full name being Lorelai Leigh Gilmore. English in origin meaning “meadow” or “clearing,” Leigh is a simple gender neutral choice with a particularly sneaky Gilmore Girls connection.

Shane
Shane is the girl Jess dates during Season 3 while Rory is still navigating her feelings for him. This increasingly gender neutral baby name has Irish origins.

Love European names? Try these 50 Irish Baby Names with Beautiful Meanings.

Hope
Hope, affectionately called “Hopey,” is Emily Gilmore’s younger sister, mentioned briefly in Season 1 and said to be living in France.

Gilmore Girls Boy Names

Luke
Luke Danes is the plaid-wearing owner of Luke’s Diner, Lorelai’s longtime love interest, and one of the most beloved characters in Gilmore Girls. The classic name has Greek roots and means “from Lucania.”

Logan
Logan Huntzberger enters Rory’s life at Yale and quickly becomes one of her most memorable boyfriends. Logan is a Scottish surname name traditionally associated with a “little hollow.”

Jess
Jess Mariano is Luke’s rebellious, book-loving nephew and one of Rory’s most iconic love interests. Jess can stand on its own or be used as a nickname for Jesse.

Dean
Dean Forester is Rory’s first boyfriend and one of the earliest major characters introduced in the series. Dean is an English name meaning “valley.”

Richard
Richard Gilmore is Lorelai’s father and Rory’s grandfather, known for his Yale pride and especially close bond with Rory. Richard has Germanic roots meaning “brave ruler” or “powerful ruler.”

Christopher
Christopher Hayden is Rory’s father and Lorelai’s longtime on-again, off-again love interest.

Max
Max Medina is Rory’s English teacher at Chilton and Lorelai’s former fiancé. Max comes from the Latin Maximus, meaning “greatest.” Bonus points if you read his name in the same tone as the voicemail he leaves Lorelai.

Jason
Jason “Digger” Stiles is Richard Gilmore’s business partner and, for a time, Lorelai’s boyfriend. Jason is a Greek name meaning “healer.”

Alex
Alex Lesman briefly dates Lorelai after meeting her while she and Sookie are preparing to open the Dragonfly Inn. Alex is commonly used as a nickname for Alexander and means “defender of the people.”

Jamie
Jamie is Paris’ first serious boyfriend, whom she meets during a summer program in Washington, D.C.

Dave
Dave Rygalski, played by Adam Brody, is Lane’s sweet, music-loving boyfriend who goes to impressive lengths to win over Mrs. Kim. Dave is the familiar short form of David, meaning “beloved.”

Zack
Zack Van Gerbig is Lane’s Hep Alien bandmate who eventually becomes her husband and the father of her twins. Zack is generally a short form of Zachary.

Henry
Henry Cho is a Chilton student whom Lane secretly dates while trying to keep the relationship hidden from her mother. Henry is a classic name meaning “estate ruler.”

Kwan
Kwan Van Gerbig is one of Lane and Zack’s twin sons, born near the end of Season 7. The short, distinctive name makes a subtle Gilmore Girls reference for fans who followed Lane’s story all the way into motherhood.

Steve
Steve Van Gerbig is Kwan’s twin brother and the other son of Lane and Zack. Steve is traditionally short for Stephen, meaning “crown” or “garland.”

Mitchum
Mitchum Huntzberger is Logan’s powerful newspaper-publishing father and the man responsible for one of Rory’s biggest career crises when he tells her she doesn’t have what it takes to be a journalist.

Hanlin
Hanlin Charleston is the formidable headmaster of Chilton Academy who oversees Rory’s years at the prestigious school. Hanlin is an especially clear-cut choice for devoted Gilmore Girls fans.

Rare Gilmore Girls Baby Names

Babette
Babette Dell is Lorelai and Rory’s delightfully nosy, lovable neighbor and one of Stars Hollow’s most recognizable residents, played by actress Sally Struthers.

Rune
Rune is Jackson’s famously grumpy cousin and the unfortunate participant in one of Lorelai’s most memorable dates. Rune is a Scandinavian name meaning “secret” and despite the character, it has a genuinely cool, modern sound.

Drella
Drella is the eccentric harpist at the Independence Inn during the first season. Fun fact— Alex Borstein, who plays Drella, was the original choice to play Sookie. It’s an extremely rare choice, making it one of the most unexpected Gilmore Girls baby names on the list.

Straub
Straub Hayden is Christopher’s father and Rory’s paternal grandfather. He has a strained relationship with Christopher and is notably hostile toward Lorelai when the Hayden and Gilmore families gather together in Season 1. It’s an extremely unusual choice, but one that makes for an iconic Gilmore Girls baby name.

Tanna
Tanna Schrick is one of Rory’s Yale roommates during her freshman year. It’s an uncommon choice that makes for a subtle Gilmore Girls reference.

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Morey
Morey Dell is Babette’s laid-back, jazz-loving husband and one of Stars Hollow’s quieter fan favorites. Morey is considered a variation of Maury or a nickname for Morris.

Doyle
Doyle McMaster is the editor of the Yale Daily News and later Paris’ boyfriend. Originally an Irish surname, Doyle means “dark stranger.”

Lulu
Lulu Kuschner is a Stars Hollow teacher and Kirk’s longtime girlfriend. Sweet and playful, Lulu can stand on its own or serve as a nickname for Louise, Lucy, or Lucille.

Francie
Francie Jarvis is the ambitious leader of Chilton’s exclusive Puffs. Francie is generally used as a nickname for Frances or Francine and has a charming vintage feel.

Trixie
Lorelai “Trix” Gilmore is Richard’s mother and the original Lorelai Gilmore, the woman for whom Lorelai was named. Trix and Trixie can both work as playful nicknames for Beatrix or Beatrice, or simply as an unexpected nod to the Gilmore family matriarch.

Stars Hollow Baby Names

Kirk
Kirk Gleason is Stars Hollow’s ultimate jack-of-all-trades, seemingly working a different job in nearly every episode.

Taylor
Taylor Doose is Stars Hollow’s famously particular town selectman and owner of both Doose’s Market and Taylor’s Olde Fashion Soda Shoppe.

Patricia
Patricia LaCosta—better known as Miss Patty—is Stars Hollow’s dance instructor and resident keeper of town gossip. Patricia is the feminine form of Patrick and means “noble.”

Sophie
Sophie Bloom owns the Stars Hollow music store and is played by singer-songwriter Carole King. Sophie is the French form of Sophia and means “wisdom.”

Jackson
Jackson Belleville is Stars Hollow’s resident produce farmer and Sookie’s husband. Jackson began as an English surname meaning “son of Jack.”

Brian
Brian Fuller is Lane’s friend and fellow member of Hep Alien. The Irish name Brian is traditionally associated with meanings like “high” and “noble.”

Gil
Gil is Hep Alien’s older, wildly enthusiastic guitarist. The short name can stand alone or be used as a nickname for Gilbert.

Yale and Chilton Inspired Baby Names

Louise
Louise Grant is one of Paris’ fashionable Chilton friends. The French feminine form of Louis, Louise means “renowned warrior.”

Madeline
Madeline Lynn is Louise’s best friend and another member of Paris’ Chilton circle.

Tristan
Tristan DuGray is Rory’s flirtatious Chilton classmate who famously calls her “Mary.” Tristan has Celtic roots and a strong connection to medieval legend.

Brad
Brad Langford is Rory and Paris’ nervous Chilton classmate who briefly leaves school to perform on Broadway. Brad is traditionally an English surname and can also be short for Bradley.

Lucy
Lucy is one of Rory’s friends during her senior year at Yale. Derived from the Latin lux, Lucy means “light.”

Olivia
Olivia is Lucy’s friend and another member of Rory’s Yale circle. The popular name has Latin roots and is associated with the olive tree.

Janet
Janet Billings is Rory’s athletic Yale roommate, known for her early morning runs and disciplined routine. Janet ultimately means “God is gracious.”

Rosemary
Rosemary is another member of Rory’s Yale social circle.

Honor
Honor Huntzberger is Logan’s older sister and one of the first members of the Huntzberger family Rory meets.

Juliet
Juliet is part of Logan’s wealthy Yale social circle and the Life and Death Brigade crowd. The romantic literary name is a French version of Julie or Julia.

Asher
Professor Asher Fleming is a renowned Yale professor and one of Paris’ more controversial relationships. Asher is a Hebrew name meaning “happy” or “blessed.”

Finn
Finn is one of Logan’s charming, mischievous friends, and a member of the Life and Death Brigade. The Irish name is traditionally associated with “fair” or “white.”

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Colin
Colin McCrae is another member of Logan’s Yale friend group and a frequent Life and Death Brigade companion. Colin has Scottish and Irish roots and is often associated with youthfulness.

Marty
Marty is Rory’s Yale friend who develops feelings for her during college. Marty is traditionally a nickname for Martin and has an easygoing, vintage feel.

Whether you gravitate toward something classic like Emily, Luke, or Clara, a little more unexpected like Lane, Finn, or Honor, or a true reference like Rune, Babette, or Drella, there’s no shortage of baby name inspiration hiding inside the world of Gilmore Girls.

And really, what better place to find a baby name than Stars Hollow, a town filled with unforgettable characters, cozy traditions, and names that still feel fresh more than two decades later? This list of Gilmore Girls baby names is a trove for anyone looking to infuse their family with a little Lorelai lore.

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Photos courtesy of Hallmark Channel