Baby Name Meanings · Nature, Place and Word Names
By Pamela Redmond · Updated September 2026
Across 28 pages
of 28
English word name, diminutive of Katherine, Greek
"young cat; pure"
You've gotta be kitten.
Latin
"lioness"
Leonia is one of the rarest of the feminizations of Leo and brothers that have lion-related meanings and are growing in popularity throughout the Western World. Leona is the most popular of the group…
Sinhalese
"bird"
Lihini is a word name from Sri Lanka. When used as a name, it is often interpreted as meaning "free as a bird"
Welsh
"lion, leader"
Welsh for "lion", or a nickname for Llewelyn. Could make a cooler substitute for the blander Lou.
German
"lion"
This variation of the surname Loeb works even better than the original as a first name, though any child named Loew will inevitably have to endure a lifetime's worth of "high and...." jokes. Other…
Manx, Irish
"little blackbird"
Typically spelled as Lonán in Ireland, Lonan is its Manx form, though it could also be considered the anglicized form too. The name comes from the Irish lon meaning "blackbird", paired with a…
Variation of Laura, English from Latin
"from Laurentum or bay laurel"
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.
French
"firefly"
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…
Irish
"little dog"
An unusual, energetic surname choice that would make a good Madison alternative. Madigan was a typical police detective series of the 1970s, starring Richard Widmark.
Thai
"spider"
This Thai nature name is closely associated with popular young Thai-Chinese actress Pimnitchakun Bumrungkit, who uses it as her nom de guerre.
Aboriginal Australian
"black swan"
Maroochy Barambah, an Australian singer, brought this name into prominence in Australia.
Italian
"woodlark"
If you're looking for an international nature name in disguise, here's a distinctive avian opportunity.
Hebrew; German surname
"fortress, God's protector; mouse"
This rare name received national attention in 2021 when actor Frankie Muniz and his wife Paige named their son Mauz Mosley. The variation they used stems from the Hebrew word Mauzzim , literally…
Sanskrit
"peacock"
An interesting choice for people looking for a nature name that is off the beaten track. Mumbai-based actor and songwriter Mayur Puri is a notable bearer of this name.
Scottish
"hound of the promontory"
Scottish and Irish Mac and Mc surnames are definitely up for consideration, and this one has sports cred via its link to tennis champ John. It was one of the fastest-rising names on Nameberry in…
Aramaic, breed of sheep
The name of a breed of Spanish sheep is hardly worthy of a child.
Greek
"bee-eater bird"
This obscure name from Greek mythology (Merope was one of the Pleiades) is better known from J.K.Rowling's Harry Potter series, as the name of Tom Riddle's ill-fated mother.
English place name and surname
"peat bog, mouse clearing"
Mosley, former best known as the surname of author Walter, has been put in play as a first name for girls by football great Peyton Manning, who used the name for his twin daughter, sister of…
Short form of Nancy or Ann, Hebrew
"grace"
Nanny, like Fanny, is an old-fashioned nickname not due for a comeback any time soon.
Ugandan
"clan totem is a lion"
Sounding like a cross between Nancy and Natalie, Nantale might have potential as same-but-different African-to-American crossover.
