The current popularity of the antihero in modern storytelling has given way to adaptations that shift the perspective from that of the seemingly innocent victim to the eyes of the cold-hearted villain. Novels like Gregory Maguire's Wicked and film updates like Disney's Maleficent remind us there are two sides to every story. Do you think the characters who made our list deserve a second chance?
Baby girl names inspired by Disney villains
Rachel Bilson recently chose a name fit for a Disney princess, but we suggest taking your Disney love in an edgier direction.
- Anastasia: Frankly, 50 Shades of Grey has done more to hurt this royal Russian name than Cinderella's wicked stepsister.
- Felicia: She eats the mice who anger Professor Ratigan in The Great Mouse Detective, but she's a cat. It's kind of her thing.
- Mim: You can't deny Madam Mim had spunk in The Sword in the Stone. Try this as a nickname for Miriam or Marilyn.
- Raven: Use this animal name inspired by the Evil Queen's pet in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.
- Ursula: Talk about ruining a perfectly lovely name. This Greek moniker means "little bear," and it would be a shame letting The Little Mermaid wreck it.
- Yzma: I'm sure your baby girl won't be scary beyond all reason like the power hungry villain from The Emperor's New Groove, but just in case.
Baby boy names inspired by Disney villains
If the villains' original names don't appeal to you, check out some of their counterparts' Storybrooke names from ABC's Once Upon a Time. Killian makes Captain Hook a dreamier character than any Disney prince ever was.
- Amos: Fortunately, first impressions of this hipster baby name will focus on the famous cookies rather than the vengeful hunter from The Fox and the Hound.
- Claude: I know most people cite Scar from The Lion King as the most evil Disney villain, but I think Judge Claude Frollo from The Hunchback of Notre Dame might have him beat if more folks had seen the film.
- Clayton: Dude has zero respect for gorillas in Tarzan.
- Edgar: I am not saying I condone this Aristocats villain's actions, but if I were the butler for a wealthy old woman who planned to leave her fortune to her cats, I might go a bit off the deep end myself.
- James: Even the cruelty of Captain Hook can't ruin this biblical baby boy name.
- Jasper: This trendy baby boy name belonged to one of Cruella de Vil's henchmen in One Hundred and One Dalmatians.
- John: Honest John from Pinocchio and Prince John from Robin Hood share this classic moniker.
- Lawrence: This lowly valet sells out Prince Naveen in hopes of becoming a prince himself in The Princess and the Frog.
- Lyle: He seems harmless enough at the beginning, but by the end of Atlantis: The Lost Empire, he's revealed his selfish, scheming ways.
- Willie: Though redeemed in the current Mickey Mouse Clubhouse cartoons, Willie the Giant began as Mickey's hungry foe in Fun and Fancy Free.
What would Disney villains name their own children?
Later this year, the Disney Channel is slated to release a live action special called Descendants that follows the story of the teenaged children of former Disney heroes and villains. Maleficent, played by Kristin Chenoweth, names her daughter Mal, and the Evil Queen calls her girl Evvie. Cruella de Vil gets a bit more creative with Carlos, and Jafar goes full on trendy with the name Jayden. No word on who was actually willing to reproduce with these fools.
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