Shakespearean Names for Boys

Hoping your child will love Shakespeare's plays as much as you have? If you have a passion for the way he writes, think about picking a one-of-a-kind name pulled straight from the Bard's pages.

1. Benedick A witty character from Much Ado About Nothing who enjoys mocking others, Benedick starts the play swearing he will never marry.
2. Cassio Cassio is a youthful and attractive young soldier devoted to Othello.
3. Claudio + Claudio is a young soldier from Much Ado About Nothing who has gained a great reputation in battle but is immature and easily manipulated.
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4. Demetrius + One of the four main characters in A Midsummer Night's Dream, Demetrius falls in love with Hermia but ultimately loves Helena.
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5. Hamlet + Hamlet is melancholy and cynical. While he is reflective and thoughtful, he is prone to impulsive acts.
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6. Iago + Iago is the manipulative and calculating villain of Othello who influences the demise of both Othello and Desdemona.
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7. Jaques + Jaques, from As You Like It, is a typical Elizabethan comedy character with a hopelessly melancholy disposition.
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8. Lucentio Lucentio is a good-natured student in The Taming of the Shrew who falls in love with Bianca and sets an elaborate plot to win her.
9. Lysander + The other main male in A Midsummer Night's Dream, Lysander longs to marry Hermia.
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10. Macbeth + Macbeth is a brave soldier and powerful man who succumbs to murder to attain his goals.
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11. Malvolio Malvolio, from Twelfth Night, is a haughty and straitlaced man in Olivia's household. He has concealed ambitions that lead to his downfall.
12. Mercutio In Romeo and Juliet, Mercutio is a kinsman to the Prince of Verona and Romeo's close friend.
13. Nick + Nick Bottom is an overconfident character in A Midsummer Night's Dream and thus falls victim to a prank that results in his head turning into the head of a donkey.
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14. Orlando + In As You Like It, Orlando is an attractive young man with great potential who proves himself in battle.
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15. Orsino + Orsino from Twelfth Night is a powerful and egotistical nobleman whom Viola loves.
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16. Othello Othello is a well-spoken and physically powerful protagonist.
17. Petruchio Petruchio is the loud, boisterous, eccentric, and quick-witted character in The Taming of the Shrew who is determined to tame strong-willed Kate.
18. Robin + A central character of A Midsummer Night's Dream, Robin (commonly referred to as Puck) is the mischief-maker among the other characters.
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19. Romeo + The heir of Montague, Romeo is handsome and intelligent but impulsive and idealistic in his passion.
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20. Sebastian + Sebastian, from Twelfth Night, is Viola's twin and the eventual mate for Olivia.
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21. Tybalt + Tybalt is the vain, fashionable, and aggressive cousin of Juliet.
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