999+ Nature Names for Babies

  1. Mar
    • Origin:

      Latin
    • Meaning:

      "sea"
    • Description:

      The Spanish and Portuguese word for "sea" is a Top 100 name in Spain. In America, it's sometimes used as a nickname for names like Martina and Marina, but it could also plausibly stand on its own.
  2. Harbor
    • Origin:

      Word name
    • Description:

      We've seen Haven take off as a nouveau girls' name; Harbor could follow in its wake.
  3. Sadira
    • Origin:

      Persian
    • Meaning:

      "lotus tree"
    • Description:

      Intriguing name with great symbolic meaning in Eastern religions.
  4. Tangerine
    • Origin:

      Word name
    • Description:

      We've had Apples, Plums, Peaches, Cherries, and Berries added to the fruit basket: you could be the first to pick a Tangerine.
  5. Sea
    • Origin:

      English word name
    • Description:

      With River and Ocean becoming mainstream, why not consider Sea?
  6. Figueroa
    • Origin:

      Spanish
    • Meaning:

      "fig tree"
    • Description:

      This surname ultimately derives from a Galician place name meaning "fig tree", but has spread all over the Spanish-speaking world. It's not certain if it's ever been used as a first name, but it could work - especially as it's reminiscent of the operatic character Figaro.
  7. Meriwether
    • Origin:

      English surname
    • Meaning:

      "happy weather"
    • Description:

      This eminent surname name belonged to one of the two leaders of the Lewis and Clark expedition to explore the western part of the USA. The surname was originally given to someone with a sunny temperament.
  8. Millaray
    • Origin:

      Mapuche, Chilean
    • Meaning:

      "golden flower"
    • Description:

      A melodic and glowing name, derived from Mapuche, the language of the Indigenous people of central Chile, Millaray means "golden flower". It ranked in the Chilean Top 100 in the 2010s and remains a familiar choice. Pronounced as mee-ya-rye, and not as mih-luh-ray as those unfamiliar with it might assume, Millaray is notably borne by actress and presenter Millaray Viera and footballer Millaray Cortés.
  9. Otter
    • Origin:

      Animal name
    • Description:

      While we don't see many parents adopting Otter as a name for their own babies, Zooey Deschanel put this one in the lexicon when she used it as a middle name for her adorably-named daughter Elsie Otter. Even in the celebrisphere, Otter is one of the most unique baby names we've heard.
  10. Udell
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "yew-tree valley"
    • Description:

      A secret nature name for boys.
  11. Carmello
    • Origin:

      Spanish and Italian variation of Carmen, Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "garden"
    • Description:

      Carmelo is the more popular spelling of this name in the US, probably thanks to basketball great Carmelo Anthony. Carmelo ranks in the Top 1000 and was given to about 350 baby boys last year, while Carmelo and the original Carmen were each used for about 50 baby boys.
  12. Feather
    • Origin:

      Word name
    • Description:

      Feather, though it was used for a character in a Walter Mosley novel, seems too light and fluttery for a real-life girl.
  13. Lightning
    • Origin:

      Nature name
    • Description:

      Olympic athlete Usain Bolt introduced this unusual and electric nature name to the lexicon when he chose it for his daughter's middle name: Olympia Lightning Bolt. Now there's a name with layers of meaning!
  14. Alpha
    • Origin:

      Greek, first letter of the alphabet
    • Description:

      The first letter of the Greek alphabet ande the brightest star in every constellation, this would make an interesting choice for a first daughter, though it does give off some spectral sci-fi reverberations--and references to the term "alpha male.".
  15. Nelda
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "one who lives by the alder tree"
    • Description:

      Occasionally heard in Ireland, small chance of success here.
  16. Crane
    • Origin:

      English surname
    • Meaning:

      "crane"
    • Description:

      This elegant surname has great potential to turn into an unusual first name, especially with its literary associations to both Stephen and Hart Crane.
  17. Heremoana
    • Origin:

      Tahitian
    • Meaning:

      "beloved ocean"
    • Description:

      Moana may be the best-known South Sea Islander name thanks to Disney. This puts a male spin on the appealing nature name.
  18. Naim
    • Origin:

      Scottish; Arabic
    • Meaning:

      "river with alder trees; happy"
    • Description:

      Naim, also sometimes spelled Naime, is a pleasant choice that may have some confusing pronunciation issues in English-speaking countries (where may will say this name as "name"). But don't let that deter you if you're in love with this moniker.
  19. Strom
    • Origin:

      German
    • Meaning:

      "stream"
    • Description:

      Irrevocably tied to long-lived, controversial South Carolina senator Strom (born James) Thurman; Strom, which sounds like an anagram of Storm, was his mother's maiden name. With a stretch, you might consider this one of the German names for boysthat's also a nature name.
  20. Morella
    • Origin:

      Literary name
    • Description:

      The eponymous character in an Edgar Allan Poe ghost story, gothic Morella was likely based on Latin mors ("death") or Greek mauros ("black"). It’s also a subtle nature name, being an alternative name for the poisonous black nightshade plant.

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