Baby Name Meanings · Nature, Place and Word Names
Animal Names for Babies
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Oprah
Variation of Orpah, Hebrew
"fawn or gazelle"
The misspelling that created an indelibly one-person name. And we mean that literally: Despite Oprah Winfrey's fame and appeal, there were no baby girls named Oprah last year, OR Orpah. The Biblical…
Ruslan
Slavic from Turkic
"lion"
A fairly common name in many Slavic countries, especially Russia – perhaps in part because it sounds close to the name of the country, although the two words are unrelated etymologically. The name…
Rym
Arabic
"white gazelle"
Rym is one of those simple-yet-uncommon names that's extremely rare in the US , where no baby girls were given the name last year. But it certainly can travel anywhere.
Rutherford
English
"cattle ford"
Stuffy presidential choice: consider Hayes instead.
Sable
English animal name
Sable is often associated with the Dynsaty soap opera, but it is actually a type of animal historically hunted for its fur. Sable is also used as a word for a warm, rich black color. Both…
Sacagawea
Native American
"bird woman"
Sacagawea (or, sometimes, Sakakawea or Sacajawea) was a Lemhi Shoshone woman who was instrumental to the Lewis and Clark Expedition across what is now the western part of the USA. She traveled…
Salmon
Animal name
"salmon, a fish"
nature names are in, and even fish names like Pike and Salmon are open for consideration.
Scorpio
Latin
"scorpion"
Of all the astrological names —think Leo, Aries, Gemini— Scorpio probably has the most dramatically potent presence, which could prove something of a burden to a young boy. In the soap…
Seal
English word and nature name
Projects the sleek and playful image of the aquatic mammal, plus that of the striking British-born Brazilian/Nigerian/Afro-Caribbean singer (born Sealhenry).
Selket
Egyptian
"(she who) tightens the throat, (she who) causes the throat to breathe"
Also spelled Selqet, Serket and Serqet, Selket was the Ancient Egyptian goddess of the scorpions and of magic. She was a helpful goddess and protected souls on their journey to the afterlife. She is…
Sephora
French variation of Tziporah, Hebrew
"bird"
This lovely name is a softened French version of Tziporah, the biblical wife of Moses. Unfortunately, in the US, it's become attached to the cosmetics franchise. The brand Sephora claims to have…
Sequoia
Native American, Cherokee
"sparrow"
This name of a giant tree, itself named for a nineteenth-century Cherokee who invented a way to write his tribe's language, makes a strong, stately statement.
Shad
Fish name; variation of Chad
"battle warrior"
Swam into style and quickly out again, on Chad's fish- er, coat-tails.
Shashi
Indian, Sanskrit, Nepali
"moon, having a hare"
Shashi is an Indian name for the moon, giving it a shimmering quality, but its literal meaning translates to "having a hare." In India, a hare is a common image to see in the moon.
Sirke
Variation of Sirkka, Finnish, Yiddish variation of Sarah, Hebrew
"grasshopper, seed leaf; princess"
While its Yiddish use has died out, Sirke is seen today in Nordic countries, most commonly Finland. Sirke is a form of Sirkka, but it may also be related to the Finnish word sirkeä, meaning "lively."
Simba
Swahili or Shona
"lion; strength"
Traditional African name made cartoonish by the Disney character in The Lion King. In Shona it means "strength".
Sparrow
Nature name
"sparrow, a bird"
With related choices such as Lark and Phoenix gaining popularity, why not Sparrow? Though it's usually thought of as a female name, Nicole Richie and Joel Madden chose it for their son.
Stallone
Italian surname
"stallion; horse breeder"
Actor Sylvester Stallone's iconic surname is beginning to catch the attention of parents having sons, likely owing to the rising in last-names-as-first-names, and because of its cool, stately feel…
Starling
Bird name
Unusual choice that was the original name of children's illustrator Tasha Tudor, but is an interesting elaboration of Star, taking it into avian territory.
Svala
Nordic
"swallow (bird)"
A striking Nordic name with ancient roots, Svala (and its less common variant form Svale) derive from the Old Norse name for the swallow. This could be a great choice for nature lovers and fans of…