Nature, Place and Word Names
By Pamela Redmond · Updated September 2026
Across 11 pages
of 11
Provencal; Icelandic
"hawk; thunder god"
Similar to the floral name Aster, this spelling derives separately from Old Provençal astur "hawk") and from the Icelandic name elements as ("god") and þor ("thunder"). As a surname, it has several…
German
"angel-raven"
An undiscovered surname possibility with upscale overtones, could be enlivened with nickname Ingo.
Old English
"bird"
This name stems from the Latin term Avis, meaning bird. Related names include Avice, Aveza and Aveline.
Mayan
"swallow"
The Mayan goddess of the moon and the night, associated with swallows, eagles, and jaguars.
Hen is a feminine name with multiple cultural origins. In Hebrew, it means "grace" or "charm," conveying beauty and elegance. It's also found as a diminutive form of Henrietta or similar names in…
French from German
"magnificent crow"
This name of famed philosopher, mathematician and Nobel laureate Bertrand Russell becomes slightly more plausible with the French pronunciation, bare-TRAHN. Another noted bearer is French director…
Nature name
We once dismissed Bird as "too flighty", but with the rise of avian names from Lark to Robin to, well, Birdie, we don't see why Bird can't be a fine choice, especially as a middle name.
English
"hill of birds"
Brittle.
Icelandic
"hawk"
The Icelandic word for "hawk" and recent addition to the Icelandic name pool. It was derived from the Old Norse word haukr , also meaning "hawk."
Celtic
"blessed raven"
This is an attractive Celtic mythological name, popular in Wales and a cousin of the better known Bronwyn. In Welsh mythology, Branwen was turned into a bird.
English word name
The name of the teenaged son on the dear departed television show "Huff."
Sinhalese, Hindi
"swan"
Swans are beautiful creatures, with rather unusable English names. To evoke the grace and serenity of the swan, we recommend you take a look at this Sri Lankan name.
"principal; bird"
Whether you like Cardinal for its connections to the songbird, religious connotations, or even sports ties, this unique new name fits in with today's name landscape. Cameron Diaz and Benji Madden…
Bird names have taken flight, and Cardinal is a new addition recently used by Cameron Diaz and Benji Madden for their son. The red bird was named for the color of the robes worn by the religious…
Cherokee
"red bird, cardinal"
Cheasequah refers to the cardinal, associated with the sun in Cherokee culture.
Greek
"kingfisher bird"
This highly unusual name -- the Halycyone was a mythic bird who could calm the seas -- conjures up images of utter peace and tranquility because of the phrase "Halycon days"...and the sleeping pill.
French and Spanish word name
"hummingbird"
The French and Spanish word for "hummingbird" is lithe and charming as a girl name.
Latin
"dove"
Columba is an early saint's name that rhumbas to a modern beat. While the original St. Columba is male, the name sounds more appropriate for a girl in the modern world. Leave variations Colm and…
Variation of Columbo or Columbia, Latin
This is a big name, both in heritage and sound. On the right child, this could be inspired, but others may shrink from all the connotations. While your preferred nickname for this option might be Col…
"long-winged swimming birds"
Suggests the salty, windswept air of the seashore.
