Nature, Place and Word Names
By Sophie Kihm · Updated September 2026
Across 17 pages
of 17
Greek
"milk; gift"
A seldom used name invented by J.R.R. Tolkien for Lord of the Rings, this boys' name makes good use of the 'Gal' prefix and 'Dor' suffix to craft an appealing and unique alternative to Theodore.
French
"pancake"
Italian
"mulberry tree"
An international nature name, Gelso was originally given to those who grew mulberry trees or lived near a place where they grew. More conventionally used as an Italian surname, Gelso has very…
Persian
"pomegranate flower"
A Persian name with a pretty meaning and a dignified sound, Golnar is floral and fruity with orange-red hues. Notable bearers include businesswoman, Golnar Khosrowshahi and singer Golnar Shahyar. An…
Irish
"grain or love"
Grainne is the Irish form of the name often Anglicized as Grania. It was the name of the ancient grain goddess and also of the fiancee of mythological hero Finn McCool and lover of Dermot, who was a…
Variation of Grainne, Irish
"the loved one or grain of corn"
In addition to being the appellation of an ancient grain goddess, this name was also borne by two mythic Irish figures, one of whom was betrothed to legendary chieftain Finn MacCool, the other the…
Israeli place name and Hebrew
"fruit or glory"
A Hebrew name also used for girls, with many variations to choose from. Hadara is another version. The name is associated with the holiday of Sukkot.
Japanese
"peppermint"
A minty Japanese name as well as a language and culture in southeast China.
Hebrew
"hot, warm"
Along with Shem and Japheth, a son of Noah with a name that's almost never used -- for more obvious reasons than those of his brothers.
Arabic
"hot sauce, paste"
A North African chili pepper paste and a potential baby name due to the similarities to Marissa, Clarissa, et al.
Herb is a masculine name that originated as a shortened form of Herbert, which comes from Germanic elements 'hari' meaning 'army' and 'beraht' meaning 'bright.' Primarily used in English-speaking…
Finnish
"cloudberry"
Hilla is a rising girl name in Finland, where it is seen as both an independent name and a short form of names beginning with Hil-.
Icelandic
"maple"
Well-liked nature name in Iceland, but unlikely to translate well in the US.
"harmony + flower; fragrant grain"
Five sets of parents were recently inspired to use this floral Japanese name by the anime series Dead or Alive , which features a martial artist and student character named Honoka.
"expensive grain; tall grain; graceful protection"
"strawberry; one guardian"
Ichigo is a unisex — but primarily male — Japanese name. As a male name, it is typically written in kanji giving it the meaning "one guardian" (which can be interpreted to mean "best guardian"). As a…
Aramaic
"fig tree"
Idra is one of the less obvious botanical names. In ancient times, a fig tree was a symbol of learning, peace, and prosperity.
"grain sheaf; corn sheaf"
Ioulo is an epithet of Demeter, primarily used in depictions of the goddess carrying a sheaf.
Diminutive of Jagwida or word name, Polish and Croatian
"war, battle; berry, strawberry"
Jagoda is a Top 50 choice in Poland and Croatia, where it doubles up as a diminutive of Jagwida — itself a variation of the battle-mighty Hedwig — and as a word name, meaning "berry" in Polish, but…
"honeycomb or honeysuckle"
This Old Testament name feels feminine to a modern English speaker, thought the Biblical Jarah was male. In the most recent year counted, there were seven girls and five boys given the name. With the…
