Animal Names for Babies

In Cherokee culture, elk symbolize strength, agility, and masculinity.

Yes, nature lovers are starting to name their children after all forms of life, including fish, but consider carefully before you cast your line into these tease-infested waters.

This Late Roman name is little-used in modern times, though the feminine forms Feline and Felina are popular in Europe. While some relate it to the happy-go-lucky Felix, it actually has a cat-like meaning. St. Felinus is a legendary third-century martyr.

A cute, chirpy Slovene name with a meaning to match. The Slovene translation of Pippi Longstocking renames her Pika Nogavička.

Kew is an offbeat name of a saint from Cornwall with boyish appeal.

The French word for firefly has a lot of potential as a baby name, with its similarity to Lucille, the cute nickname Lucy, and the adorable animal meaning. A French bearer of this name is the singer Luciole, born Lucile Gérard.

Ceren is an excellent cross-cultural Turkish choice, bearing resemblance to names like Serena and Seren. In Turkey, it refers to a baby gazelle and was most common among Gen Z. At its height, Ceren ranked at Number 15 on the Turkish charts in 2006.

Ranine name with a bouncy rhythm.

A quetzal is a beautiful, brightly-colored bird found in Mexico and Central America. It is the national bird of Guatemala, as well as the name of their currency.

As Doris is to Dora, Loris is to Laura. It's virtually never used for babies of either sex. That said, it's not a bad name and might make a good honor name for an ancestral Laura or Lawrence.

Unusual multicultural choice that may appeal to the artistically inclined. The bear meaning gives it a new trendy edge as an animal name.

Owls are revered and feared in Cherokee culture, thought of as witches in disguise. Uguku is one of multiple owl names in the Cherokee language. It is onomatopoetic with the owl's calls.

A neglected surname name that could substitute for the more common Gordon, which has in the past associated with the milk company and Elsie the Cow.

Seen as a name for this first time in the anime Sailor Moon.

Love the name wren but need something not quite so trendy? Consider Jedda. Jedda is derived from the word 'djida' meaning "wren" in the language of the Noongar people of Western Australia. Jedda was also the name of the eponymous heroine of the film "Jedda", which was one of the first Australian films to be shot in color and was the first to be shown at the Cannes Film Festival (it was nominated for the Palme d'Or). The perfect name for nature enthusiasts and film buffs alike.

Variously spelled Swithun or Swithin, and associated with St. Swithin's day, July 15th, which is famous as a weather predictor a la Groundhog's Day: supposedly, the weather on his feast day will continue for 40 days. This would certainly make a unique choice.

A common Arabic name also spelt Jaouad, Javad or Javadd (the middle name of One Direction band member Zayn Malik).

Suggests the salty, windswept air of the seashore.

Lihini is a word name from Sri Lanka. When used as a name, it is often interpreted as meaning "free as a bird"

Appealing name because, in German and Yiddish, it also means "dear" or "heart".