Baby Name Meanings · Nature, Place and Word Names
By Pamela Redmond · Updated September 2026
Across 28 pages
of 28
Spanish
"dove"
The feminine form, Paloma, is more popular, but this has potential.
"dove-colored filly"
Doubtful if a child would appreciate being given such a horsy name.
Animal name
"bamboo eater"
Panda, welcome to the baby name menagerie! Panda is an adorable animal name (after an adorable animal) that is sure to be both very rare and very cute. In Skins there was a character called Panda,…
With Bear and Fox becoming hot baby names, why not Panda? Why not indeed. Both the name and its animal namesake are adorable. And Pan is a nickname right in line with the mythological name trend. The…
African, Swahili; or, Russian, diminutive of Stephania
"mouse, tiny one; or, crowned one"
Panya is a multicultural possibility with a sound that's pleasing to the English-speaking ear, though the Swahili translation, which might also be "rat," makes it less than savory as an African name.
Iranian, Persian
"swallow bird"
The name Parastoo currently seems unusual to the Western ear, with that "too" ending rare in traditional English names. It is sometimes spelled Parastu. Pari or Parisa would make easier imports.
Native American, Omaha
"yellow bird"
Though unrelated, this would probably be taken as a fanciful spelling of Patsy.
Sanskrit
"peacock"
If there are too many Savannahs in your neighborhood, you might consider this. Pavana is a Hindu goddess of the wind.
Finnish
"butterfly"
This is one of the few butterfly names that is distinctly masculine, found as a surname in Finland.
Native American, Blackfoot,or Greek, "golden eagle, or rock, stone"
"golden eagle, or rock, stone"
Too tightly tied to the acronym for the activist group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals.
"deer"
Most commonly seen as a surname in Finland, where it means "deer." Maybe for a Christmas baby.
Greek
"toad"
A name with a less conventional animal meaning, rescued by the reputation of the Greek courtesan Phryne (more beautiful than Aphrodite, one of the wealthiest women in classical Athens) and the…
French surname
"sparrow"
Possible musical tribute name to the waiflike, husky-voiced midcentury French singer who was given this last name because of her birdlike quality.
Slovene
"dot"
A cute, chirpy Slovene name with a meaning to match. The Slovene translation of Pippi Longstocking renames her Pika Nogavička. Pika is also an animal name, belonging to a rabbit-like mammal.
Scots Gaelic
"name of a bird species"
Ptarmigan is the common English name for the genus Lagopus, in the grouse family of birds. The name is derived from the Scottish word for the bird, tàrmachan (meaning unknown), with the initial P-…
Japanese
"Thunderbird"
Japanese feminist Raicho Hiratsuka chose the name Raicho for herself - no doubt because of its fabulously meaning. As a journalist and publisher, Raicho fought for the rights of working class women…
English
"roe-deer brook"
If you feel a burning need to gussy up Ray -- think again.
Hebrew
"oryx"
English animal name
"roosting bird"
Spelling variation of Rudolph, German
"famous wolf"
You've got the red-nosed reindeer to transcend, but there are other distinguished personages named Rudolph, Rudolf, and Rudy.
