Nature, Place and Word Names · Baby Name Meanings
By Grace Royal · Updated September 2026
Across 6 pages
of 6
Word name, English from Greek
"cinnamon"
A sweet and rare spice name, which made its first and only appearance on the US baby name charts in 1969 — the year Neil Young's song "Cinnamon Girl" was released.
Irish
"king; brown"
Ancient Irish king of the underworld, so much more powerful than Don.
"brown-haired warrior"
Virtually unknown in this country, Donnacha is currently in the Top 100 in Ireland. According to legend, Donnacha was a High King of Ireland until his death in 1064. The English version Donaga…
Variation of Duncan, Irish
An Irish form of the anglicized Duncan, other forms include Donnchadh and Donagh. Rugby player Donncha O'Callaghan is one notable bearer and the popular surname Donoghue derives from it.
"brown chieftain"
Barely-used Irish surname that's more streamlined than popular Donovan.
Spelling variation of word name Dune or Scottish surname
"brown or dark"
Photographer Diane Arbus named her daughter Doon, inspired by the sand dunes she walked among when pregnant. Used this way, Doon might be considered a nature name, a refashioning of the word dune.…
Italian
"brown"
The exact meaning of Castania is unknown, but it is likely related to the Italian word castana , meaning "brown". Some sources connect this name to the Spanish castaña , "chestnut", but there is no…
English
"dark stone"
A two-syllable surname feel puts this name of an important English saint in the running -- though it could sound like a confused cross between Duncan and Dustin.
"keeper of horses; brown horse"
Authentic Gaelic name with pronunciation problems in the US. In Scotland Eachann has been anglicized as Hector, not because of its sound, but because the Trojan hero Hector had the reputation as a…
"earth"
Used by the Puritans but off the US charts completely since the mid-1990s, Eartha is best known today as the name of American singer Eartha Kitt, as well as of the philanthropist and humanitarian…
English from French
We don't see this one making it unless you have a compelling family reason.
English, German, Norse, Danish tree name
"red, brown"
Strong, straight, and leafy, one of the new tree names used mostly as middles.
"fawn"
Fawna refers to fawn, a young deer or the light brownish color associated with these animals. The name evokes images of woodland grace, gentleness, and natural beauty. With its nature-inspired…
English diminutive of Gerard, Gerald, or Gethin, German
"spear strength; ruler with the spear; dark, swarthy complexion"
An oldy-world feeling nickname-name, used for a number of names such as Gerard (said with a sound G) and Gethin (said with a hard first consonant). In the US, it may be associated with the General…
Welsh
"dark, swarthy complexion"
A rugged Welsh name, reminiscent of Griffin, Gerard, and Gideon, Gethin is a familiar choice in the UK when it ranks in the Top 1000. Notable bearers include Game of Thrones actor Gethin Anthony,…
Literary name
"hare town"
Used by Emily Brontë in her novel Wuthering Heights , Hareton is a distinctive, rugged and literature-inspired choice. With the sounds of an English place name and the vibes of a last name as a first…
Polish variation of Bruno, German
German, Latin
Related to the more recognizable Bruno, Brunella is a lovely feminization with the stylish -ella ending.
