Nature Names
Nature names for girls and boys include Sage, River, Briar, Dahlia, Fox, Ivy, Laurel, Magnolia, Willow, and Wren, all in the US Top 1000. Unique nature names such as Canyon, Grove, Harbor, and Prairie are stylish options that have not yet been widely discovered.
Nature names have become more popular with the rise of both the green movement and the quest for new kinds of unique names. Many of the best nature names, such as Sage and River, are gender neutral names that can work for baby girls and baby boys and also carry the advantage of being easily recognized and spelled and pronounced while at the same time moving beyond the tradition lexicon of names.
Nature names are drawn from all aspects of nature: the sky, the earth, flowers and animals, and the sea, among others. Some nature names, such as Bear and Bay, announce their connection to the natural world. Others are more subtle, with nature hidden in their meaning or their original language.
What's here is our master list of nature names both popular and unique for baby girls and baby boys from all aspects of the natural world. If there's a certain kind of nature name that interests you, you can also consult our many specialized lists of Flower Names, Tree Names, Bird Names and so on.
Abelia
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"sigh, breath"Description:
This feminine form of Abel is also a flower name and makes a distinctive alternative to the widely used Abigail. There is a similar name, Adelia, that is beginning to be rediscovered thanks to the trend for all names Adel- related.
Acacia
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"thorny"Description:
Acacia is an attractive, rarely used Greek flower name enhanced by its popular beginning-and-ending-with 'a'-construct, and is gradually beginning to catch on as a new member of the stylish girl names starting with A.
Acacius
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"thorny; or, innocent, not evil"Description:
Acacius is a Latinized form of the Ancient Greek Akakios and can be interpreted to relate to the same root as the name Acacia, for the thorn bush, or Akakios which means "not evil." With the modern taste for ancient names that end in "us," this obscure but attractive choice may have a chance of new life. Acacius is the name of three early saints.
Acantha
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"thorn, prickle"Description:
Acantha is one of the unique baby names in the stylish mythological category that also might count as a flower name. In Greek mythology, Acantha was a nymph beloved by Apollo. An unusual and attractive choice that could make a creative way to honor a grandma Rose.
Acer
Origin:
Botanical name from LatinMeaning:
"maple"Description:
Acer is the Latin botanical name for the Maple tree. Where Maple feels quite feminine, Acer is a more masculine way to reference this tree.
Acker
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"meadow of oak trees"Description:
Acker is a surname name that has not seen much use to date, but given it's lush nature meaning (and the fact that it also means "friend" in Somerset slang) this could be a cute choice for parents looking for something fresh. An added bonus its link to English "Master of the Clarinet" Acker Bilk. The Dutch version, Akker, is also an option.
Acton
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"village with oak trees"Description:
This name's buttoned-up British vibe is what makes it cool - that, and the fact that it was chosen by Anne Bronte as her pseudonym - Acton Bell. That's quite the literary - and may we add feminist - credential for a name. For those with an adventurous edge, Acton is one of the highest peaks in Antarctica.
Adair
Origin:
Scottish and IrishMeaning:
"oak tree ford"Description:
Adair has flair, the grace of a Fred Astaire. It's a Scottish surname which came from the first name Edgar.
Addax
Origin:
Animal nameDescription:
The addax is a white antelope that resides in the Sahara Desert. A cool and usable addition to the pool of animal baby names.
Alameda
Origin:
SpanishMeaning:
"cottonwood grove"Description:
Common California place-name that could work for a girl.
Alamo
Origin:
Place-name, SpanishMeaning:
"poplar tree"Description:
The unique O-ending makes this name memorable, especially for someone with ties to Texas.
Alani
Origin:
HawaiianMeaning:
"orange tree"Description:
One of those names you may not even be aware of if you haven't been paying attention to recent naming trends, Alani was given to more than 700 baby girls in the US in one recent year, to be the second most popular feminization of Alan after Alana. It's certainly the most modern-sounding female version of Alan.
Alder
Origin:
English tree name or surnameMeaning:
"old"Description:
Alder is an occasionally-used name that derives from an old English surname and also might refer to the alder tree, whose wood is used to make electric guitars.
Aletris
Origin:
Flower name, from GreekMeaning:
"corn grinder"Description:
The bell-shaped flower Aletris is also known as Colic Root, Blazing Star, Unicorn Root, and Stargrass. Its roots have medicinal properties and are used to aid digestive and muscle problems. Its name derives from Greek aletris -- a female slave who ground corn -- because of the mealy texture of the flowers.
Almond
Origin:
Word nameDescription:
Gwyneth Paltrow's Apple has opened the world of botanical names beyond flowers to trees, herbs, fruits, and -- why not. -- nuts.
Alpha
Origin:
Greek, first letter of the alphabetDescription:
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.".
Alya
Origin:
ArabicMeaning:
"heavens, highborn, exalted"Description:
Alya is most familiar in the US in its much-more-complicated form Aaliyah, the spelling used by the later singer. The traditional name of the star system Theta Serpentis, Alya is also an established Muslim first name and a Turkish place-name. It may also be a Russian short form for Alexandra or any other Al- name.
Alyvia
Origin:
Variation of OliviaMeaning:
"olive tree"Description:
Parents finding Olivia too popular first turned to Alivia and then went further with Alyvia. But making the spelling different does not improve on the original. If you love Olivia, name your daughter Olivia.
Amapola
Origin:
ArabicMeaning:
"poppy"Description:
A rarely heard name that was the title of a hugely popular Big Band song in the forties.