Summer Baby Names

An attractive optical illusion where heat causes light to reflect in the air as if off a body of water. It was used as a character name in the 2004 animated film The Incredibles.

Girasol is a Spanish nature name, meaning "sunflower." As sun-related names — such as Soleil, Sol, and Sunny — heat up, we may see more of Girasol.

St. Kateri Teckakwitha is the first Native American saint, canonized in 2012. St. Kateri was the daughter of a Mohawk warrior, born in 1656 in upstate New York. She converted to Christianity at age 20 and died at 24, and was known as "Lily of the Mohawk." Kateri was the name the saint took on, a native variation of Katherine, upon her baptism.

The Spanish word for "shell" is a new addition to the quickly growing list of ocean-inspired nature names.

Evokes picture-postcard image of colorful Indonesia. Bali Barret is a Paris fashion insider who oversees women's style for Hermes. Bali rhymes with tally or galley.

This evocative name of a dramatic tropical Indian fig tree is ready to move west.

This bright, spirited, and summery name derives from the Serbian and Croatian word sunce meaning "sun".

May derive from Estonian "sirel", meaning "lilac flower".

An uncommon surname name with that energetic -er ending. Might appeal especially to baseball fans.

Iara rhymes with Yara, an Arabic name of which it can be a variation. More commonly it's associated with Iara of Brazilian myth — a water nymph, sometimes mermaid, of Tupi and Guaraní legend. In the legends, Iara seduces men to the river to accompany her in her immortal life.

This unisex Israeli name, which rhymes with ball, is sure to receive more serious international attention now that actress Gal Gadot is the new Wonder Woman.

Spritely Summer meets strong classic Hilda in this Anglo-Scandinavian choice, joining together to make a name that feels as poetic as it does tough.

Beachy name perfect for a summer baby.

Less familiar than the feminine Jacinta. Jacinto is a sweet floral boy name that was most popular in early 20th century Spain and Brazil.

This very unusual botanical name refers to flowers that have a second color around the edges, commonly found in tulips and carnations. Thomas Hardy named a character Picotee in his novel The Hand of Ethelberta.

This name, from the picturesque town on the Italian Riviera, borrows a bit from Amelia and a bit from Emily.