Alright, so you’re here because you want killer book club names. Not just any names, but the kind that make your squad proud, the kind that get people talking, and maybe even laughing. I totally get it. Naming stuff is HARD. (Ask me how many abandoned pet names I’ve had over the years.)
Here’s the thing — your book club names set the tone. They say who you are before you even open that first dusty tome. So don’t settle for boring.
Why Book Club Names Are Actually a Big Deal
You might think, “Eh, it’s just a name.” But nah. It’s more like your group’s vibe in a nutshell.
When I started my first book club, we called ourselves “The Page Turners” — classic, safe, no complaints. But after a couple of meetings, it felt… meh. Like wearing socks with sandals. Comfortable, but kinda embarrassing.
See, good book club names:
- Help everyone feel like they belong
- Make you stand out (because let’s be real, there’s a million clubs)
- Give you something to brag about when you’re texting your friends
- Maybe make you chuckle, which is half the battle
Anyway, naming your book club can be the start of a beautiful friendship.
How To Nail Your Own Book Club Names (Without Losing Your Mind)
Here’s my messy, real-world process for coming up with names that stick:
- Think about your vibe.
Are y’all serious literature buffs or just there for the wine and snacks? I once tried to start a “Philosophy Book Club” — lasted two meetings before we devolved into discussing memes. True story. - Play with puns or references.
I love a good pun — it makes everything 10x better. Like, “Read Between the Wines.” See what I did there? Don’t judge. - Add your local flavor.
Throw in your neighborhood or city. “Sunset Readers” sounds way cooler than “Some Random Readers,” right? Plus, it’s wicked personal. - Keep it short-ish.
Nobody wants to say a mouthful every time they tell someone where they hang out. “The Literary Lions” > “The Lions of Literary Excellence and Exploration.” Way too much. - Try saying it out loud.
If it sounds like a tongue twister, scrap it. Your friends will thank you. - Get the group involved.
Trust me — a name voted on by the crew feels way more legit. And if it’s dumb, you can all laugh about it together.
Book Club Names That’ll Actually Make You Smile
Okay, I know you want examples. So here we go. Some of these are from my own chaotic history of book clubs, some I made up, and some I definitely stole from friends:
- Read Between the Wines (yes, again — because it’s too good not to)
- The Plot Thickens
- Bookish and Boujee
- The Spine Crackers (because we snap those babies open wide)
- Bound to Read
- The Page Pilots
- Lit Happens (my personal favorite, especially on rough days)
- The Quiet Readers (not so quiet once snacks come out)
- Chapter Chat
- Next Chapter Collective
There’s plenty more, but those are some of my faves to get the brain gears turning.
Genre-Specific Book Club Names
Because not all readers are the same. If your crew is into specific vibes, here’s a few ideas:
Mystery Lovers
- The Clue Crew
- Suspense & Snacks
- Whodunit Wonders
Fantasy Fans
- The Dragon Pages
- Wizards of the Words
- Spellbound Society
Romance Readers
- Hearts & Chapters
- Love in Lit
- The Swoon Squad
Non-Fiction Buffs
- The Truth Seekers
- Fact Finders
- Real Talk Readers
How to Make Your Own Book Club Names (In a Snap)
I scribbled this on an old napkin once (and spilled coffee on it, naturally):
- Jot down all the words that pop into your head about books or reading.
- Mix ‘em up with some fun adjectives or your location.
- Test the combos out loud.
- Circle the ones you like.
- Share with your pals and see which one gets the biggest smile.
Oh, and here’s a nugget from page 42 of a weird out-of-print book I found at Pete’s Hardware called Book Club Mishaps & Miracles (1998): “A name that makes you laugh is the glue that holds a book club together.” I’m paraphrasing because the coffee smudge took out the last line, but still.
Real Talk: The Names I’ve Loved and Lost
My first book club? “The Dust Jackets.” Looked good on paper, but somehow it didn’t stick. Plus, my cat knocked over our snack table at the first meeting, so maybe it was cursed.
Then there was “The Novel Nuts” — definitely a self-deprecating nod to our collective obsession (and occasional insanity) with plot twists.
My current favorite? “The Page Turners.” Yeah, I know, I’m full circle, but it just fits now. Plus, we added a slogan: “Read fast. Talk faster.”
Random Book Club Naming Tips (Because I’m Feeling Generous)
- Don’t be afraid to get punny — even if it’s bad, the laughs are worth it.
- Avoid names that are way too inside-joke-y. You want newbies to feel welcome, not lost.
- If your group loves snacks, work that in. “Books & Brownies” is way more inviting.
- Remember, you can always change the name. My first herb garden died faster than my 2020 sourdough starter—RIP, Gary. Same goes for book clubs.
Weird Historical Tidbit (Because Why Not?)
Victorians used to believe talking to their ferns prevented madness. Yeah, madness. I don’t know about y’all, but I talk to my begonias just in case. So maybe your book club name could honor a plant. “The Fern Faction,” anyone?
A Final (Sorta) Word on Book Club Names
Naming your book club is kind of like picking your fighter name in a video game. You want something cool, memorable, and a little bit badass. Don’t overthink it. If you end up with a name that makes y’all grin every meeting, you nailed it.
And remember, their/there mix-ups? Guilty as charged. But hey, it just adds character.
