Autumn Names: A harvest of great choices
A couple of momberries-to-be who are expecting Fall babies have written in to ask for some Autumn name suggestions, and so, as we come close to the official onset of the season, here is our annual, updated round-up of Autumn names.
AUTUMN — Autumn is ironically the hottest season name, the only one in the Top 100 where it’s maintained its status for over a decade now. The name Autumn first entered the U.S. Top 1000 in 1969, inspired by the hippie nature names and word names. While it’s still attractive, however, it’s hardly fresh.
Names from other cultures that provide a newer route to Autumn include the Japanese girls’ names Aki and Akiko, the Turkish girls’ name Hazan, the Vietnamese Thu, and, in Chinese, Qiu for either girls or boys.
Fall month names are not quite as usable as those of the other seasons.
September – Why are March, May, June, August and even January hot while September (along with October, November, and December) is not? Maybe there’s something chilly about that “ber” ending. Still, this has an attractive sound and is certainly unusual. The Latin Septimus, which means “seventh son,” sounds a bit Harry Potter and is perhaps too redolent of things septic. But Seven, as recently chosen as the middle name of little Harper Beckham, might have some potential.
October – An equally unusual month name that gets an extra helping of cool from hipster writers Dave Eggers and Vendela Vida, who chose it for their daughter. Perhaps more attractive are the Latin pair Octavius and especially Octavia, both of which mean (as does October) “eighth.” Other Octavius and Octavia variations you might consider:  Octavian, Octaviana, Octavienne, the Italian Ottavio or Ottavia, or the nicknames Tavy or Tavia.
November – Certainly as usable as September and October, which is to say, not very unless you’re extremely adventurous.
Nature names that summon up an image of fall include tree names, particularly:
Ash (any of the Ash names – Asher, Ashley – relate)
Olive (and Oliver and Olivia)
The following may be a stretch, but other names that mean tree in a less obvious way include:
Adair – Scottish and Irish unisex name that relates to oak trees.
Cormac – This handsome Irish boys’ name means “tree trunk,” which is close enough.
Daphne – Classic name that means laurel tree.
Keziah – Beautiful Old Testament name that means cassia tree.
Lennox – A Scottish name that relates to the elm tree.
Nima – Middle Eastern favorite, also found as Neema and Neemah, that means margosa tree.
Perry – Boy’s name that works for girls too, and means “pear tree.”
Rowan – A unisex name that’s also the name of a tree with red berries and that means “little redhead.” Related names include Rowena, Rhonwen, Roan, andRowney.
Fall’s brilliant colors might also provide baby-naming inspiration.
Names that mean red include:
If golden is the fall hue you prefer, try:
Even brown, fall’s ultimate color, relates to some appealing names:
Baize – A French girls’ name that means “dark brown”
Kiona – A Native American girls’ name that means “brown hills”
Roux – Unisex and pronounced “roo,” this might make a good middle name
Sorrell – Can be spelled with one or two r’s and l’s
Some other ideas?
Seasonal signs of the zodiac:
Fall birthstones:
Harvest goddesses:
Annona – Roman, personification of plenty
Cerridwen – Welsh nature goddess
Demeter—Greek
Gaia – Greek goddess of the earth
Jeyriall—Santharian
Persephone—goddess of harvest and the underworld, daughter of Demeter
Rhea – Greek goddess of the earth
And one god-
Lugh—connected with a harvest festival
Other international names with autumnal meanings:
Ashoun – Armenian—autumn
Chyoh—Chinese –autumn
Jora/Jorah – Hebrew—autumn rain
Liqiu – Chinese — beautiful autumn
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11 Responses to “Autumn Names: A harvest of great choices”
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linzybindi Says:
i.heart.nerds Says:
I could see using November with the nicknames Nova, Vemmy or Ember. Kind of cool.
Marginamia Says:
Amazingly beautiful list!
I worked with a September long ago. She had be given the name in the late 60′s…yes, at birth.
November (I profiled recently) is just one of the prettiest words around. I wish it would get some use, especially in the middle slot, if putting it up front is too bold for some.
Roux, Maple (Nona was almost a Maple), Branch and Opal are also frequently featured as favorites of mine. Hubby nixed Roux and frowned upon Opal, but I’d have used them in a nanosecond!
I love the suggestions Sapphire, Annona, Xanthe,Crimson and Oriel!!! Nicknames Sapphy and Crim are so amazingly adorable!
I would also add:
Pomme
Orchard
Pomeline
Apple
Eple
Hallow
Crysanthemum
Fig
Sage
Aster
Golden/Goldie
Saffron
(most of these are from a recent food-name post. I love a name I can eat or smell! ha!)
belatrix Says:
My daughter is a Crimson and she has been called by the following nicknames at various times in life:
Crimsy
Crims
Crimmy
Crim Reaper
Nora Belle (from middle Eleanor)
and her favorite: Christmas (from her preschool years and classmates who couldn’t say her name!)
Lola Says:
Autumn is my second least favorite season (give me summer!), but I do like a handful of these: Daphne, Keziah, Perry (boy only), Aurelia, Aurelius & Xanthe. Lovely choices for any time, really! 
OliviaSarah Says:
There are lots of lovely names here. The only one that really jumped out at me was Annona. It’s just gorgeous. Certainly has a place on my long list.
sabrinafair Says:
These are on my list for future children:
AUTUMN — as a middle name for girl (though I like it works on a boy too)
September – either but prefer boy
October – either
November – boy
Ash – middle name for boy
Birch – girl
Cedar – either
Forest – girl
Hazel – boy
Juniper – either
Laurel – boy’s middle name
Leaf – middle name for either
Linden – boy
Maple – girl
Willow – either
Lennox – boy
Rowan – boy
Crimson – boy
Radley – girl
Scarlet – girl, as middle name for a boy
Aurelius – middle name boy
Xanthe – girl but could work for middle nae or first for a boy!
Sapphire – middle name girl
Topaz – girl or boy but prefer girl
Dearest Says:
I wonder where Harvest is on this list, it’s a beautiful name in its own right IMO
I love so many of these, but I have issues with October and Septemner being used for girls, they’re a bit rough sounding for me, especially October with its many O sounds.
November is better for girls since it has Nova as the most intuitive nickname.
These make me smile the most:
Cedar
Maple
Nima
Omaira
Crisanta
Flavia
Flavius
Oriel
Libra
Citrine
Anona (I don’t like it with two N’s)
Demeter
Gaia
Rhea
Ashoun
Jora
lemon Says:
I do find Autumn to be fresher than Summer, but both have a friendly feel. Winter? Modern and luxurious. And Spring? She seems to be the forgotten season name…
There are so many great names on this list! November sure seems like she could work with Nova or Ember as nicknames, and why not use October if you can call him or her Toby? Love that! September feels like the roughest one to wear, actually. I like Tavia, Ash, Asher, Birch, Hazel, Juniper, Laurel, Linden, Maple, Olive, Oliva, Willow, Adair, Lennox, Rowan, Adam, Radley, Rory, Scarlet, Aurelia, Tawny, Roux, Annona, and Rhea. So many exciting and interesting options!
And, yes, I agree that Harvest, Apple, Pommeline, and Sage should be included. What about apple varieties? Jonathan? Gala? Or is Gala, well, too gala…?
CountryLizB Says:
I like Anona. I think it would be a good way to honor my friend named Autumn.
AutumnR Says:
I have to admit,I’ve never disliked my name. My mother attempted to name me something that wasn’t easy to be teased about, but I suppose she didn’t think about it rhyming with Bottom…a couple other things I’ve been called is:Automobile and Sadamizer (I was furious when I found out what that meant!)I named my daughter Aunestie (sounds like honesty)So far no teasing has come from that.I was born in November & have always liked that as a name and I never thought about Ember but am now considering it as a middle name for Auricca.Thanks!
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I love Autumn! It is my absolute favorite time of year so these names are perfect for me.
September – could work as a middle name
November – with November Rain being so popular I can’t believe people don’t use this more. Nova would be a super cute nickname!
Birch – nice for a middle
Cedar – I really like this
Forrest – great name!
Hazel – lovely
Juniper – very fun…could go by June or Juni
Linden – nice but sounds feminine by recent standards
Maple – something about this is super cute!
Oak – I like it!
Adair – kind of like it for a girl
Cormac – love this!
Daphne – beautiful!
Perry – wonderfully underused name
Adam – timeless and strong
Ruby – cute
Scarlett – lovely
Sapphire – super fun!
Annona – something about this I like
Gaia – this is nice
Persephone – funky and fun!
Rhea – nice nickname