James Bond is perhaps the most recognized fictional character name of the last fifty years. But where did Ian Fleming get the inspiration for a name that would come to embody the ultimate suave connoisseur of female favors? As explained by the Cumberland Bird Observers’ Club:

James Bond was an American Ornithologist (someone who studies birds) who wrote the classic field identification book “The Birds of the West Indies”. When Ian Fleming wrote “Casino Royale” in 1952 at his home in Jamaica he needed a name for his fictitious spy and, seeing Bond’s book in his library, decided to “borrow” the author’s name.

“I was determined that my secret agent should be as anonymous a personality as possible,” said Fleming. “It struck me that his [Bond's] name, brief, unromantic and yet very masculine, was just what I needed.”

Bond’s book is still in print and, despite being originally written in 1936, is still the only definitive bird identification book covering all the birds of the West Indies.

Those 1950s West Indian birds have by now spawned a franchise that more than any other has assembled a roster of great character names. Here are some selected favorites:

Bond Girls

Bond Villains

Bambi and Thumper Bibi Dahl Domino Derval Elektra King Fiona Volpe Holly Goodhead Honey Ryder Jinx Kara Milovy Kissy Suzuki Lupe Lamora Mary Goodnight May Day Melina Havelock Miss Caruso Miss Taro Molly Warmflash Natalya Simonova Octopussy Paris Carver Patricia Fearing Plenty O’Toole Pola Ivanova Pussy Galore Rosie Carver Solitaire Sylvia Trench Tiffany Case Vida and Zora, gypsy fighters Wai Lin Xenia Onatopp

Baron Samedi Blofeld Bonita Colonel Moon Count Lippe Doctor No Dr Kananga / Mr Big Elliott Carver Emilio Largo General Orlov Gobinda Goldfinger Hai Fat Hugo Drax Irma Bunt Jaws Kamal Khan May Day Milton Krest Miranda Frost Mischka and Grischka Mr. Kil Necros Nick Nack Oddjob Professor Dent Rosie Carver Scaramanga Stamper Tee Hee Wint and Kidd

Thanks to Abnu at Wordlab for sparking this Bondfest.