Arboreal Names
- Arda
Origin:
Turkish, Hebrew, or EnglishMeaning:
"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.
- Barbossa
Origin:
Portuguese surnameMeaning:
"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".
- Calhoun
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"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.
- Nima
Origin:
Hebrew, Arabic, and HindiMeaning:
"thread, hair; blessing; margosa tree"Description:
Multicultural name often heard in the Near East. Also spelled Neema and Nimah.
- Silvana
Origin:
ItalianMeaning:
"of the forest"Description:
Variant of Sylvana
- Ivara
Origin:
GermanMeaning:
"yew tree, archer"Description:
Similar to Ivana but less personality-driven.
- Idra
Origin:
AramaicMeaning:
"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.
- Dubois
Origin:
French surnameMeaning:
"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.
- Elan
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"tree"Description:
When given the French pronunciation (ay-LAN), has a great deal of esprit and élan.
- Sylvana
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"from the forest"Description:
Sleek, woodsy European choice.
- Tamala
Origin:
AfricanMeaning:
"dark tree"Description:
Would you really want to name your child after a Japanese anime movie called Tamala 2010: A Punk Cat in Space.
- Chaney
Origin:
FrenchMeaning:
"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.
- Bjork
Origin:
IcelandicMeaning:
"birch tree"Description:
Associated with the mononymic Icelandic singer and her iconic swan dress.
- Cyprus
Origin:
Latin from GreekMeaning:
"cypress tree; copper"Description:
This Mediterranean island name would be a plausible choice for parents with a Greek or Turkish heritage.
- Bradshaw
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"broad forest"Description:
Currently connected to football Hall of Famer turned actor Terry Bradshaw.
- Moria
Origin:
Greek mythology nameMeaning:
"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.
- Revella
Origin:
Variation of Revello, CatalanMeaning:
"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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