Nature, Place and Word Names
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American Baby Names
American baby names come from a range of sources, just like Americans themselves. There are Native American baby names, American place names for babies, names important in American history and namesakes for American heroes and artists, and baby names invented by Americans and used primarily in the US. Here, a selection of what might be thought of as American baby names.
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Australian Names
In a multicultural nation like Australia, how do you define Australian names? Here we've listed names that stem from Indigenous Australian languages, place names or names that have become indelibly linked with the land Down Under through literature or popular culture. While many names popular in Australia are similar to those names widely-used in other English-speaking lands, the choices here might be thought of as distinctly Australian baby names.
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Biblical Place Names
Biblical place names relate not to the people in the Bible but the physical places. Can these ancient place names work as contemporary baby names? We say yes.
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Bird Baby Names
Bird names for babies are one of the hottest of the hot nature categories, all the way from Birdie to Wren. Bird names can work as unique first names or meaningful middle names, and are appropriate for both girls and boys. While many bird names come straight out and announce themselves, as Robin or Hawk, others are more subtle, carrying bird meanings: Paloma, for instance, means dove. If you love nature names and animal names, you may want to search more deeply into the new genre of bird names for babies.
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Butterfly Names
Butterfly-related baby names came to wider attention when it was rumored that Kylie Jenner would choose a butterfly name for her new baby girl, to symbolize her love of the fluttery species. Baby names that relate to butterflies can be literal word names, like Butterfly itself as in the name of Gone With the Wind actress Butterfly McQueen, or the names of stages of the butterfly or mother development such as Chrysalis, the rumored name of Jenner's baby. Other butterfly names include exotic butterfly-related words or species names. Plus butterfly names are not just for girls.
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Celebrity Baby Word Names
Gwyneth Paltrow's Apple may still be the most famous case, but these days she's far from the only celebrity child with a word name. Today, there are enough celebrity baby names that are also words that we can fill a whole long list with them. In their ever-widening search for new and unique names, celebrities are turning to words that relate to nature, spirituality, animals, places, weather, colors, even numbers. Bonus: many of these, by virtue of being new and unconventional, count as truly unisex baby names. Here, word names that have been used in recent years for celebrity babies.
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Celestial Baby Names
Celestial baby names include those of planets and their satellites, constellations and single stars. That adds up to a whole galaxy of celestial baby names to choose from. For even more ideas, read our blog on celestial names.
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College Baby Names
When you're on the prowl for the perfect name, anything can be an inspiration. Colleges around the country provide an endless possibilities for noteworthy baby names. Check out this list of baby names, each derived from the name of a college or university:
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Color Names for Babies
Using color names for babies started with Amber, then Rose drove the point home. While many of the original color names were female, today there are mostly-male color names as well as unisex baby names derived from colors. Today's name hues range from the obvious -- Violet and Scarlett -- to the most exotic, from Azure to Zinc. The full spectrum of color names for babies:
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Coolest Baby Names That Aren't Really Names
The coolest baby names sometimes aren't names at all, as the mostly unisex baby names on this list attest. There are an uncountable number of words turned cool baby names, beyond the scope of any one source. The only limits are your reference books, your imagination, and your taste. Here are some of the coolest and most evocative of the group.
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English Word Names
English names might be easiest to define when they're actual word names drawn from the English languages and transformed into baby names. This genre has grown tremendously in the past decade, to the point that now parents are creating names from words they love or that have a symbolic meaning in English along with other languages such as Spanish, French, or Italian. Of course, there is also a long tradition of English names that were originally flower or place or inspirational or other word names, most notably practiced by the Puritans. At this point, words like Iris or Mercy or Christian have been used so long as names that they are solid entries in the name lexicon apart from their original connection to the words that inspired them. Today, celebrities are often coining names from English words -- think North, Saint, Bear -- and so helping to popularize not just the specific names but the whole concept. And stars from Drake to Rebel Wilson have driven the word name idea home. Now, almost any English word is fair game for transformation to a baby name. And if you're not adventurous enough to use these new word names as first names, you might want to consider them as middle names to add uniqueness and meaning.Newer English word names finding wide favor include the following.
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French Word Names
The parent in search of truly distinctive baby names has to move farther than ever away from the established roster. One new direction -- or is it two? -- for the intrepid baby namer is toward international word names, which combine two of today's coolest trends. We combed our own diccionarios for French, Italian, and Spanish words that could make perfectly appropriate, attractive baby names, and here are some French choices. But no reason to stop here--consider words from the language of your own ethnic background, be it Czech or Chinese, and add them to the list of your personal possibilities.
Here, some French baby names fashioned from French words for your consideration:
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Fruit Baby Names
Fruit baby names have come to the fore as a new species of nature names thanks to Gwyneth Paltrow's little Apple Martin. Exploring further, here are some of today's possible fruit baby names.
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Gorgeous Flower Names for Babies
Flower names for were first popular for babies around the turn of the last century and have started to bloom again as modern baby names. Flower names that work for baby girls range from the exotic from Amaryllis to Zinnia to the everyday, such as Daisy, Lily, and Rose. There are even a few flower names for baby boys. Flower baby names can suit every taste and sensibility, from the vintage to the modern, the unique to the familiar. Here, a large collection of flower names for baby girls and boys.
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Italian Word Names
One new direction -- or is it two? -- for the intrepid baby namer is toward foreign-word names, which combine two of today's coolest trends. We combed our own diccionarios for Italian words that could make perfectly appropriate, attractive Italian baby names. But no reason to stop here--consider words from the language of your own ethnic background, be it Czech or Chinese, and add them to the list of your personal possibilities.
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Jewel and Gemstone Baby Names
Jewel names were popular a century ago and they're back in style now as baby names. Long considered the exclusive province of girls, there are some precious stones and minerals that lend themselves to boys. Among the jewel names you might want to consider for your little gem are:
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Mineral & Metal Baby Boy Names
Mineral and metal baby boy names are hard-edged choices that impart a new brand of masculinity.
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Musical Baby Names
Musical baby names can be soothing, lyrical, rhythmic, rousing, and melodious. Here, some musical baby names you might want to consider.
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Mystical Names
Mystical names summon figures of mythology and legend, of magic and mystery. The mystical names here hail from a range of different cultures and stories. Click on individual names for more information on what makes them mystical!
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Names for City Babies
City names are a special breed among place names used for babies: hip, sophisticated, street smart. Of course, city-bred kids can be named anything at all, but we collected these downtown-related names -- some of them the names of actual cities -- to provide inspiration for urban parents in search of names with a city theme. Of course, many city names -- Orlando, Charlotte, Adelaide -- started out as person names, so it all gets a bit meta. But the connection is what makes the names of towns and neighborhoods work so well for babies.
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Names That Mean Water
Baby names that mean water include names that mean ocean and sea, names that mean waves and tide, names meaning river or lake or bay and brook, and names meaning rain and even mist. The names of notable rivers, such as Hudson, and other bodies of water are listed here. The names of gods and goddesses of the sea can be counted as water names, as can the names of fictional mermaids and other mythical water creatures. Fish names can qualify as water names too. Names with water-related meanings might be right for babies born under one of the water signs of the zodiac: Pisces, Cancer, and Scorpio. Or you might be looking for baby names that mean water if you live near the ocean or another body of water. Swimmers, surfers, and boaters might want water names for their babies. Or you may simply love the image of water reflected in your baby's name. Names with water meanings can be found in cultures all around the world for both baby girls and baby boys.
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Names with Animal Meanings
Baby names with animal meanings range from the obvious, such as Robin or Lionel, and those with subtler animal meanings, such Rachel (which means ewe) or Tabitha (gazelle). This list of baby names with animal meanings contains both those that announce themselves clearly, such as Fox and Wolf, and those whose animal meaning is more hidden. The following range of animal baby names would be perfect for your wild child.
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Nature Names Chosen by Celebrities
Nature names have been a defining trend of the 21st century, and that includes trends in celebrity baby names. Dozens of high profile parents have borrowed names from the natural world for their children. Beyond Hollywood, those names have become go-to picks for all parents, with names like River and Willow making mainstream popularity lists in recent years. Here, a collection of nature names for babies that have been used by celebrities over the past few years, several of them more than once.
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Nature Names for Babies
Nature names for babies come from several categories: flower names, tree names, water, weather, and animal names. The popularity of nature names has risen along with the green movement, which has made us more appreciative of all things connected with nature. We have also seen a rise in nature baby names as parents look for names beyond the usual first name boundaries. Nature names can also connect your baby girl or boy to something inspiring and uplifting about the world around us. Many of the best nature names can work for either gender and also carry the advantage of being easily recognized and spelled and pronounced while at the same time moving beyond the tradition lexicon of names. For more nature names, you can consult our lists of flower names, tree names, water names, sky names, and so on. Here is where you can browse some of the coolest nature names today.
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New York Baby Names
New York baby names capture everything that's cool about the city. From New York landmarks and streets to notable New Yorkers, get inspired by these Big Apple baby names from the most populous city in the US.
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New York Neighborhood Names
Brooklyn is, of course, the most widely used of these choices, but Ashlee Simpson and Pete Wentz recently added baby name Bronx to the mix and there are lots of other intriguing New York-themed baby names here.
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Occupational Baby Names
Most occupational baby names were originally surnames that described a person’s job. Names related to jobs have taken on significant style value over the past years and are destined to rise even further. Think of them as the surname-names or place-names of the future. Most of these occupational baby names work best for boys but can cross over to the girls' side.
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Patriotic Baby Names
Baby names with a patriotic flavor honor the land of the free and the home of the brave. Whether you're having a fourth of July baby, or you're just a proud American, here is a list of patriotic baby names sure to pay tribute to America.
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Place Names for Babies
Place names for babies come from all over the globe and can include city names, state names, country names, even mountain and ocean names. Here, the most popular place names from around the world used for both girls and boys. For more exotic choices, see our list of Place Names Off The Map.
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Place Names Off The Map
The coolest place names are those that are undiscovered. Some place names can be used for boys, but most of the cool place names work best for baby girls. Here are some choices on (and off) the map, including unique city names, country names, island names, and the names of mythical lands, all of which can be used for babies.
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Precious Baby Names
These baby names drawn from gems and other precious materials might be right for your little treasure.
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Remarkable Weather Baby Names
Weather baby names are a branch of nature names that reference the—well, the weather! Some have direct weather meanings while others have a more subtle connection to the weather—Eira, for instance, is a Welsh name that means snow, and Makani is Hawaiian for wind. There are plenty of weather patterns to draw inspiration from, from sun and snow to wind and rain. Maybe even tornados or hurricanes for the braver namers among us. Here are some weather baby names for you to consider.
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Southern Baby Names
There's something about the South that says charm, hospitality and courtesy. This list of Dixie baby names may inspire a choice for your southern belle or gentleman.
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Spanish Word Names
The parent in search of truly distinctiveSpanish baby names has to move farther than ever away from the established roster. One new direction -- or is it two? -- for the intrepid baby namer is toward foreign-word names, which combine two of today's coolest trends. We combed our own diccionarios for French, Italian, and Spanish words that could make perfectly appropriate, attractive baby names, and here are some Spanish ideas. But no reason to stop here--consider words from the language of your own ethnic background, be it Czech or Chinese, and add them to the list of your personal possibilities.
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Spice (& Other Food) Baby Names
Apple launched the trend toward food-oriented baby names, with lots of tasty names joining the menu.
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State Capital Baby Names
Baby names that reference state capitals might make your little girl or boy feel extra important and one-of-a-kind. The state capital baby names include:
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Tree Baby Names
Tree baby names are just one branch of the nature names growing in popularity, with many original choices, especially for boys.
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Unique Nature Names for Babies
Some nature names for babies are mainstream, like Lily and River, but if you're willing to explore nature a bit more adventurously, there are many more wonderful nature names for girls and boys that lie off the beaten track. Unique nature names can come from flowers and trees, birds and animals, the sea and the earth and even the skies. Here, browse some of the most unusual baby names drawn from nature.
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Virtue Names
Virtue names, favored by the Puritans, represent qualities we should embody or at least aspire to. They are word names that often speak to a parent’s values that they hope to pass on to their children. While some of the Puritanical virtue names such as Obedience and Modesty might be a bit too outdated for a 21st century child, there are plenty of modern virtue names that would feel right at home on today’s playgrounds. In fact, we wouldn’t be surprised if names like Reverie and Zen or Loyal and True become downright mainstream in the coming years.
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Wonderful Word Names
Word names -- basically, words used as names -- are a growing class as parents rush to find truly unique baby names for their children. While you'll find word names among nature names and day names and occupational names and color names and spiritual names, most of those collected on this list don't fit neatly into any category. You'll find even more word names in our lists of Nature Names, Place Names, and many other lists in the category Nature, Place, and Word Names. Finally, a word on gender: English words are not gendered and so most of these word names can work for both boys and girls, even if we have only one gender noted here.
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Writing-Related Names
Literary names have become a very stylish group in recent years, and here's an offshoot that's gotten less attention. With credit to @Vana , a berry who created an original list of similar names, these names all relate to writing itself. Writing-related baby names can connect to poetry, plot structure, and literary devices. If you're a writer or simply a book lover, one of those original word names connected to writing may be, well, right for you.
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