Names That Mean Green

Mon Oct 21 2019By Sophie Kihm

Names that mean green embody that color's qualities of youth, freshness, and the natural world.

The top girl name that means green is Chloe, a Greek name meaning “young green shoot”. Hunter, a rich, dark shade of green is the top for boys.

Along with Chloe and Hunter, other names with green meanings in the US Top 1000 include Daphne, Esme, India, Jade, Kelly, Laurel, Olive, and Silas. While not as common, green names such as Emerald, Fern, Forest, and Roscoe have been attracting more attention recently.

A name that means green could be perfect for a baby born in the Spring, or perhaps a child born to parents with a deep connection to nature. Similarly, a green baby name would work well for the child anyone who works in a nature-related industry, such as horticulture or environmentalism.

Green-themed baby names can also relate to green elements found in nature, such as emeralds or laurel. The following are green names for your fresh little bundle of joy.

Silas

Origin:
English from Latin
Meaning:
"wood, forest"
Description:
Silas is based on the name Silvanus, and the two are used interchangeably in the Bible. In the New Testament, St. Silas was a leading member of the early Christian community who accompanied Paul on his second missionary journey. Sylvanus was the Roman god of trees and his name was originally bestowed on people who lived in wooded areas or who worked with wood.

Silas Continued

Esme

Origin:
French; Persian
Meaning:
"esteemed, beloved; emerald"
Description:
Esmé comes from the past participle of the Old French verb esmer, meaing “to esteem” or “to love.” It can also be considered a derivative of the Spanish name Esmeralda. Esmé was traditionally as masculine name, as in its original bearer, Esmé Stewart, 1st Duke of Lennox, and Esmée, with the same pronunciation, was the feminine form. Today both spellings are used as feminine given names.

Daphne

Origin:
Greek
Meaning:
"laurel tree, bay tree"
Description:
In Greek mythology, Daphne was the nymph daughter of Peneus, a river god. Peneus saved Daphne from Apollo’s romantic obsessions by transforming her into a laurel tree. It is from this myth that the plant genus daphne, which contains the laurel species, gets its name.

Daphne Continued

Chloe

Origin:
Greek
Meaning:
"young green shoot"
Description:
Chloe appeared in Greek mythology as an alternative name for the goddess of agriculture and fertility, Demeter. She was referred to as Chloe in the spring months, due to the name’s relation to sprouts and growth. Chloe is also mentioned in the New Testament as the name of a Greek Christian woman.

Chloe Continued

Olive

Origin:
English, from Latin, nature name
Meaning:
"olive tree"
Description:
Though greatly overshadowed by the trendy Olivia, Olive has a quiet, subtle appeal of its own -- and is now enjoying a remarkable comeback. Olive is one of only four girl names starting with O on the US Top 1000. Cool couple Isla Fisher and Sacha Baron Cohen chose it for their daughter, reviving the name to stylishness, and now Drew Barrymore has a little Olive too, as has country singer Jake Owen.

Olive Continued

Jade

Origin:
Spanish
Meaning:
"stone of the side"
Description:
As cool as the precious green stone said to transmit wisdom, clarity, justice, courage, and modesty, Jade has been rising in popularity since Mick and Bianca Jagger chose it for their daughter in 1971. Superchef Giada de Laurentiis chose it as the English translation of her own first name. Jade manages to strike the golden mean as one of the familiar-yet-unusual girl names starting with J.

Hunter

Origin:
English
Meaning:
"one who hunts"
Description:
Hunter has been dropping a bit for the past few years but is still one of the leaders of a distinctive band of boys' names that combines macho imagery (Hunter, Austin, Harley) with a softened masculinity. Hunter was for years attached to gonzo journalist Hunter S. Thompson; Josh Holloway used it for his son.

Hunter Continued

Sylvia

Origin:
Latin
Meaning:
"from the forest"
Description:
The musical, sylvan Sylvia seems poised to join former friends Frances and Beatrice and Dorothy back in the nursery.

Sylvia Continued

Lauren

Origin:
English variation of Laura
Meaning:
"bay laurel"
Description:
Lauren was derived from Laurence, an English name from the Roman family name Laurentius, meaning “from Laurentum.” Laurentum, an ancient Italian city, got its name from the Latin word laurus, meaning “bay laurel.” Lauren was originally a masculine name but was embraced as a feminine name after Betty Joan Perske chose it for her stage name, Lauren Bacall, in 1944.

Lauren Continued

Roscoe

Origin:
Norse
Meaning:
"deer forest"
Description:
Fairly popular a hundred years ago but out of sight now, the quirky Roscoe deserves a place on every adventurous baby-namer's long list. It joins Rufus, Roman, Remy, Romulus, and Ray as one of the R names that sound fresh again after too many years of Robert, Richard, and Ronald.

Roscoe Continued

Esmeralda

Origin:
Spanish and Portuguese
Meaning:
"emerald"
Description:
Esmeralda came into use as an applied use of the Spanish word for emerald, esmeralda. In the 1831 Victor Hugo novel Notre-Dame de Paris, also known as The Hunchback of Notre-Dame, the Gypsy heroine was born Agnes, but called La Esmeralda in reference to the jewel she wears around her neck. The name Esmeralda got increased visibility via the Disney version of the story.

Esmeralda Continued

Fern

Origin:
Nature name
Description:
Of all the botanicals, Fern has been one of the slowest to move back from the front parlor into the nursery, despite the appealing girl character in the children's classic Charlotte's Web. Fern was most popular from the turn of the last century through the 1940s, reaching a high of #152 in 1916. We can certainly see her rejoining the long list of popular greenery names.

Forest

Origin:
French occupational name
Meaning:
"woodsman or woods"
Description:
The Forest variation of Forrest, used by actor Whitaker, nudges the meaning more toward the woods and away from the woodsman.

Forest Continued

Emerald

Origin:
Gem name; Persian
Meaning:
"green"
Description:
Emerald is the intriguing color and jewel name of the deep green stone treasured as far back as ancient Egypt--it's supposed to open one's heart to wisdom and to love and be good for strengthening relationships-- which could make for an interesting, unusual name, particularly with the popularity of so many Em-starting names.

Emerald Continued

Hadassah

Origin:
Hebrew
Meaning:
"myrtle tree"
Description:
This Hebrew name of Queen Esther is well used in Israel (especially for girls born around the holiday of Purim), and in the US is the name of a Zionist women's philanthropic organization. Formerly shunned as hyper-religious, this name entered the Top 1000 in 2007. The nickname Haddie could make it more usable.

Hadassah Continued

Irving

Origin:
Scottish
Meaning:
"green river, sea friend"
Description:
It might be surprising to know that this name originated as a Scottish place and surname name, as in Washington Irving. It became a popular choice for first-generation Jewish-American boys, such as best-selling authors Irving Stone and Irving Wallace, whose parents looked to surnames from the British Isles to confer a measure of assimilation and class. Irving Berlin changed his name from Israel; actor Ving Rhames streamlined and coolized it. Irving was a Top 100 name during World War I, and though we don't envision it reaching those heights again, we can see some hipster parents having their own little Ving.

Irving Continued

Cyan

Origin:
English
Meaning:
"greenish blue color"
Description:
Cyan is a highly unusual blue-green color name, a classmate of Celadon and Cerulean. It does come with the homey nickname Cy.

Moss

Origin:
English
Meaning:
"descendant of Moses"
Description:
This evocative green nature name, heard much more frequently as a surname, is associated with playwright Moss Hart (born Robert), who co-wrote (with George S. Kaufman) such enduring Broadway comedies as The Man Who Came to Dinner and You Can't Take it With You.

India

Origin:
Place-name, from the River Indus
Description:
India is one of the first and still one of the loveliest place-names: exotic, euphonious and long stylish in England. It was one of the fastest-rising names on the 2013 list, after jumping 240 spots back into the Top 1000. India was a character in Gone with the Wind, the sister of Ashley Wilkes, and more recently was picked for the daughters of singer Sarah McLachlan, actress Heather Thomas, and Avenger Chris Hemsworth. While not exactly new, India remains one of our highly-recommended favorites.

India Continued

Oran

Origin:
Aramaic or Irish
Meaning:
"light or pale little green one"
Description:
Gentle and calm multicutural Jewish-Irish choice. Oran is popular in Ireland, where its Gaelic form is Odhran.

Laurel

Origin:
Latin
Meaning:
"laurel tree"
Description:
Laurel takes Laura back to its meaning in nature, resulting in a gentle, botanical option. Even more directly than Laura, Laurel relates back to the laurel wreath signifying success and peace in ancient Rome.

Laurel Continued

Myrtle

Origin:
Greek botanical name
Description:
Long in our category of so-far-out-it-will-always-be-out category, once seen as a gum-cracking 1940's telephone operator, we think it's time to reassess Myrtle, and look at is as a nature name, a plant with pink or white aromatic berries. Ruled by Venus, myrtle is a plant associated with love, peace, fertility and youth.

Myrtle Continued

Beryl

Origin:
Greek
Meaning:
"sea-green jewel"
Description:
Dated British favorite that never caught on in this country, where Jade remains the green gem of choice. Interesting namesakes: British writer Beryl Bainbridge and British aviatrix Beryl Markham.

Beryl Continued

Paris

Origin:
French place-name
Description:
Paris, a one-time mythical and Shakespearean boys' name, peaked in 2004 at Number 157 at least in part due to the highly publicized Paris Hilton. Michael Jackson used it for his daughter.

Paris Continued

Midori

Origin:
Japanese
Meaning:
"green"
Description:
In Japan, color names symbolize human qualities (in this case, fame); name of gifted violist Midori, but also a Japanese melon liqueur.

Midori Continued

Phyllis

Origin:
Greek
Meaning:
"green bough"
Description:
Phyllis has been used by classical poets for the idealized pastoral maiden. A Greek mythological name of a woman who was turned into an almond tree, Phyllis was in the Top 100 from 1916 to 1958, reaching #24 in 1929, and has the (remote) possibility of joining other revived s-ending names like Iris. In the 'St Clare' book series by Enid Blyton Phyllis is nicknamed Fizz. Just a thought. Phyllida is a variation that sounds at once more old-fashioned and more stylish.

Phyllis Continued

Calhoun

Origin:
Irish
Meaning:
"from the narrow forest"
Description:
A beaming, friendly Irish last-name-first-name waiting to be discovered.

Calhoun Continued

Kelly

Origin:
Irish
Meaning:
"war"
Description:
Once the quintessential bouncy teenager name, Kelly helped launch the trend of unisex Irish names . But it now takes a backseat to more substantial surname names like Kennedy.

Kelly Continued

Giada

Origin:
Italian
Meaning:
"jade"
Description:
Giada is a fresh spin on Jade, which has been quietly and stylishly used in English-speaking countries for several years now. Popular cook Giada De Laurentiis made this a possibility, then semi-subtly self-referenced when she named her daughter Jade.

Giada Continued

Peridot

Origin:
Arabic
Meaning:
"a green gemstone"
Description:
Peridot is the gem of the month of August, a vibrant green mineral, said to be good for helping people put the past behind them, and an interesting, undiscovered jewel name. It was regarded in ancient times as the symbol of the sun.

Peridot Continued

Viridis

Origin:
Latin
Meaning:
"green"
Description:
Viridis is a medieval Italian name which is also the Latin word for green. This name is a beautiful option for parents looking for an unusual name that conveys freshness, youth, springtime and nature.

Viridis Continued

Berilo

Origin:
Spanish, from Greek
Meaning:
"beryl, pale green gemstone"
Description:
A Latin name with a lot of tango flair.

Berilo Continued

Celadon

Origin:
Color name
Description:
Like Cerulean, one of the new and unusual color names -- it's a soft grayish green -- suitable for a boy.

Celadon Continued

Pine

Origin:
Nature name
Description:
Worthy sibling for Oak, Elm, Juniper, and Spruce.

Denver

Origin:
English or French place-name and surname
Meaning:
"green valley or from Anvers"
Description:
Yet another creative character name from Toni Morrison, Denver was a daughter of Sethe's in the novel Beloved. Today Denver is most familiar as the name of the largest city in Colorado, used almost equally for girls and boys.

Denver Continued

Vermont

Origin:
French
Meaning:
"green mountain"
Description:
Place-name waiting to be discovered.

Vermont Continued

Verdi

Origin:
Italian
Meaning:
"green"
Description:
This is an outside possibility for opera-lovers, with the additional eco/color factor.

Verdi Continued

Veridian

Origin:
Latin
Meaning:
"green"
Description:
Veridian is a variation on Viridiana or Viridis, meaning green. Veridian is also the name of an American aeronautical company, so we recommend you stick with the alternatives.

Veridian Continued

Teal

Origin:
Bird and color name
Description:
This name of both a grayish-greenish-blue color and a kind of wild duck can be used for both boys and girls.

Viridius

Origin:
Latin
Meaning:
"green"
Description:
Viridius was a pagan god of ancient Roman Britain. An alternative spelling is Viridios.

Viridius Continued

Orna

Origin:
Irish
Meaning:
"little pale green one"
Description:
This Irish saint's name sounds like a lopped-off Lorna.

Vardon

Origin:
French
Meaning:
"green knoll"
Description:
Pleasant-sounding French surname.

Vardon Continued

Viridiana

Origin:
Latin
Meaning:
"green"
Description:
Viridiana is a frillier version of the medieval name Viridis, meaning green. Viridiana briefly made it into the top 1000 in the US in the 1990s.

Viridiana Continued

Zelenka

Origin:
Czech
Meaning:
"green, new, fresh, innocent"
Description:
Has a certain twinkle.

Zelenka Continued

Tauriel

Origin:
Fictional name
Meaning:
"daughter of the forest"
Description:
Tauriel is the name of an elf in the film adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit, played by Evangeline Lilly. She is the head of the Mirkwood Elven guard, and a companion of Legolas. Her name was created from the Sindarin elements taur “forest” and riel “maiden’.

Tauriel Continued

Phyllida

Origin:
Greek variation of Phyllis
Meaning:
"green bough"
Description:
Phyllida, a "Masterpiece Theatre"-style appellation, seems far fresher and more unusual than Phyllis. It's green-related meaning makes it one of the prime names that mean new beginnings.

Phyllida Continued

Makala

Origin:
Hawaiian
Meaning:
"myrtle,"
Description:
There are so many variations of this name in circulation, it makes it hard for any of them to feel as special as they might.

Makala Continued

Greenlee

Origin:
English
Meaning:
"green clearing"
Description:
Attractive English surname that sounds right at home with the other androgynous surname names that are currently on-trend.
Greenlee Smythe is a character on the soap opera All My Children

Greenlee Continued

Sea

Origin:
English word name
Description:
With River and Ocean becoming mainstream, why not consider Sea?

Bradshaw

Origin:
English
Meaning:
"broad forest"
Description:
Currently connected to football Hall of Famer turned actor Terry Bradshaw.

Bradshaw Continued

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