Nature, Place and Word Names
By Pamela Redmond · Updated September 2026
Across 11 pages
of 11
Diminutive of Sebastian or Basil; Kurdish
"regal; falcon"
As Bas, it's a popular name in The Netherlands, but Baz, as in director Luhrmann, has potential for independent life too. Curiously, Australian-born Moulin Rouge director Luhrmann was born neither…
Cherokee or variation of Jonah, Hebrew
"bear; dove"
A name with a double animal connection via two distinct origins, one Native American and the other Hebrew and Biblical. Yona is rare in the US but not unknown: It was given to a dozen baby girls in…
animal name
Easy to pronounce and with good nickname potential, this bird name is given to a handful of boys and girls each year in the US
Bird and color name
This name of both a grayish-greenish-blue color and a kind of wild duck can be used for both boys and girls.
Irish variation of Latin Columba
"dove"
Colm is a popular Irish name for boys that could immigrate, especially with its peaceful meaning. Colm Toibin is a contemporary Irish novelist and critic, author of The Master and Brooklyn ; Colm…
Norwegian and Swedish variation of Thor, Hebrew, English
"thunder; turtledove; victor; hill, rocky peak"
An interesting and attractive multicultural choice, Tor packs a lot in to three letters. It may be used as a modern form of Þórr (Thor) , the name of the Norse thunder god or as a short form of…
English
"little raven"
This British surname has a somewhat aristocratic air, which ties in to its association with the early American boxing champ "Gentleman Jim" Corbett. Also borne by actor and country singer John…
Teal is one of the prettiest and most straightforward of the new color names -- an ideal middle name choice.
Swedish, Norwegian, Danish
"eagle-tree"
Arvid, a Scandinavian name that's virtually unknown in the US, is one of the top baby names in Sweden . It might make a handsome, unusual choice for a parent in search of an original yet traditional…
Native American
"son of bird clan leader"
Name from legend that might be an interesting Jason alternative.
Mapuche
"swift hawk"
The most famous Lautaro was a leader of the indigenous resistance against the Spanish in Chile in the 16th-century, making it a historically significant choice, still used today in Argentina, Chile,…
Old Danish, Faroese
"raven"
This ancient Viking-era name is a fresh alternative to Raven.
Bird name
From Haruki Murakami's Kafka on the Shore , the story of a boy named Kafka -- crow in Czech.
Japanese, Native American
"stork; night"
A funkier version of Coco that may be more appealing if you have Japanese or Native American heritage. Koko comes from the Blackfoot tribe, native to what is now Montana and Alberta, Canada.
Hebrew
"light of God"
Unisex name in Israel, ideal for a Hanukkah baby.
German and Frisian
"eagle"
Popular in northern Germany, the Netherlands, and Scandinavian countries, Enno derives from names containing the element 'arn' meaning 'eagle.' In East Frisian tradition, Enno was a name borne by…
There is a whole new species of bird names open to the baby namer, from the light and feminine Lark to the sleek and powerful Falcon.
Irish
"a sparrow"
More common as a surname, Galvin is a possible alternative to Gavin and Calvin.
Welsh
"May hawk"
With a noble air and a distinctive yet familiar sound, Gawain is drawn from Arthurian legend, in which he is one of King Arthur's loyal knights and his nephew. Also appearing as the hero of the 14th…
Sanskrit
"peahen"
Mayuri is the feminine version of the name Mayur, which means peacock. The name has a mellifluous sound to it, which makes it well placed to make the transition to the West. Dancer and chorerographer…
