Arboreal Names

  1. Arda
    • Origin:

      Turkish, Hebrew, or English
    • Meaning:

      "scepter, bronze, or forest"
    • Description:

      Arda is a simple gender-neutral name with several possible origins and meanings. As a Turkish name, it's usually used for males and means scepter. There is also a river in Turkey called the Arda. The Hebrew name Arda means bronze. And Arda may also be a variation of the English Arden, the name of a magical Shakespearean forest.
  2. Barbossa
    • Origin:

      Portuguese surname
    • Meaning:

      "a place with many palm trees"
    • Description:

      Barbossa (also spelled Barbosa) is derived from the Barbosa palm. It is also a common place name, with towns called Barbossa spread across Latin America. Film buffs might also recall that Barbossa is the name of the captain of the Black Pearl in the movie "Pirates of the Caribbean".
  3. Calhoun
    • Origin:

      Irish
    • Meaning:

      "from the narrow forest"
    • Description:

      A beaming, friendly Irish last-name-first-name waiting to be discovered, though anyone into American history might associate it with John C. Calhoun, a 19th century statesman who defended slavery. There are however plenty of places called Calhoun which might lessen that association.
  4. Nima
    • Origin:

      Hebrew, Arabic, and Hindi
    • Meaning:

      "thread, hair; blessing; margosa tree"
    • Description:

      Multicultural name often heard in the Near East. Also spelled Neema and Nimah.
  5. Silvana
    • Origin:

      Italian
    • Meaning:

      "of the forest"
    • Description:

      Variant of Sylvana
  6. Ivara
    • Origin:

      German
    • Meaning:

      "yew tree, archer"
    • Description:

      Similar to Ivana but less personality-driven.
  7. Idra
    • Origin:

      Aramaic
    • Meaning:

      "fig tree"
    • Description:

      Idra is one of the less obvious botanical names. In ancient times, a fig tree was a symbol of learning, peace, and prosperity.
  8. Dubois
    • Origin:

      French surname
    • Meaning:

      "of the forest"
    • Description:

      Dubois, which can also be stylized as DuBois or Du Bois, is a surname derived from bois, the French word for "forest." A notable, namesake-worthy bearer is W. E. B. Du Bois (who actually pronounced his surname doo-BOYSS), civil rights activist and a founder of the NAACP. A familiar fictional wearer is Blanche DuBois, protagonist of A Streetcar Named Desire.
  9. Elan
    • Origin:

      Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "tree"
    • Description:

      When given the French pronunciation (ay-LAN), has a great deal of esprit and élan.
  10. Sylvana
    • Origin:

      Latin
    • Meaning:

      "from the forest"
    • Description:

      Sleek, woodsy European choice.
  11. Tamala
    • Origin:

      African
    • Meaning:

      "dark tree"
    • Description:

      Would you really want to name your child after a Japanese anime movie called Tamala 2010: A Punk Cat in Space.
  12. Chaney
    • Origin:

      French
    • Meaning:

      "oak tree"
    • Description:

      Beautiful meaning for parents fond of nature-themed names that are a little less obvious. Actor Chaney Kley was one famous bearer of this surname-name.
  13. Bjork
    • Origin:

      Icelandic
    • Meaning:

      "birch tree"
    • Description:

      Associated with the mononymic Icelandic singer and her iconic swan dress.
  14. Cyprus
    • Origin:

      Latin from Greek
    • Meaning:

      "cypress tree; copper"
    • Description:

      This Mediterranean island name would be a plausible choice for parents with a Greek or Turkish heritage.
  15. Bradshaw
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "broad forest"
    • Description:

      Currently connected to football Hall of Famer turned actor Terry Bradshaw.
  16. Moria
    • Origin:

      Greek mythology name
    • Meaning:

      "sacred olive tree"
    • Description:

      Moria was a nymph, sister of Tylus, who played a role in a very complicated story involving a serpent and a life-giving plant. It sounds like and will often be mistaken for the name Mariah, as in Carey.
  17. Revella
    • Origin:

      Variation of Revello, Catalan
    • Meaning:

      "wild olive tree"
    • Description:

      Revella is mostly seen as a surname in the US, but has been found on first name record as well. It is likely a variation of the surname Revello, but could also be considered a variation of Revel.

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