HAVE you ever been inspired to name your child after a character in one of your favourite television shows, books or movies?

There are classic literary names like Scarlett, Heathcliff (who Heath Ledger was named after) and Darcy. Then there was that awkward Lord of the Rings phase where a bunch of children were given names like Frodo, Aragorn and Arwen.

There's now a generation of names being inspired by the latest trends in popular culture.

For instance, the name Bruce has suddenly become in vogue again.

Once a popular name given to boys in the 1950s it has since become less common. But thanks to Bruce Wayne - as in Batman - the name is making a comeback, according to website Nameberry.

Then there's the name Thor - as in the god of thunder. Thanks to the hunky Chris Hemsworth, this name has also started trending.

When it came to naming her daughter, Mackay mum Amanda Simons went with the classic name Ruthie.

What many of her friends and family may not realise is the name was inspired by a character on the TV show Seventh Heaven.

Ms Simons said she used to watch the show with her mother when she was younger and had recently started re-watching it on Channel 11.

"We liked how she (Ruthie) used to run the house," she said.

Seventh Heaven is based around the Camden family, a Protestant minister's family living in Glen Oak, California.

With Ruthie surprising everyone by arriving nine weeks early, Ms Simons said she was glad to at least have her name picked out.

She said considering the fact her daughter was born prematurely, the name was even more fitting.

"We've all got to say our little prayers for her," she said.