Ultimate Noun Name Collection

Lavender lags far behind sweet-smelling purple-hued sister names Violet and Lila, but is starting to get some enthusiastic attention from cutting-edge namers along with other adventurous nature names like Clementine and Marigold. In fact, 2024 saw it enter the US Top 1000 for the first time, when it was given to nearly 260 girls.

The nature boy version of the Scandinavian Leif, which actually means "heir". In the creative-naming Phoenix family, Leaf is the former name of the actor we know as Joaquin.

Less common than other virtue names, Liberty is nonetheless a name with a long American heritage.

Could Lilac be the next Lila or Lily or Violet? It certainly has a lot going for it--those lilting double 'l's, the fabulous fragrance it exudes, and the fact that it's a color name as well, providing a ready made nursery theme. In addition, the lilac is symbolic of first love.

Lily is the most popular of the popular delicate century-old flower names now making a return, thanks to its many irresistible attributes: a cool elegance and a lovely sound, a symbol of purity and innocence, and a role in Christian imagery.

If it's royalty you're after, stick with Earl or Prince -- this is too deified.

Lotus is one of the most languorous of the flower names, with intriguing significance in both Buddhism and Hinduism, symbolizing purity, grace and spiritual growth — not to mention a familiar yoga position.

Love makes an endearing middle name, as in Jennifer Love Hewitt. However, more parents are considering Love as a first name — enough for it to enter the charts for the first time in 2022 as one of the fastest-rising names of the year. Other love-related alternatives include Juliet, Valentina, and Amor.

Recently chosen by singer Elle King for her son. Lucky is a name that could see a considerable rise in the near future, as word names continue to heat up.

Magnolia, a sweet-smelling Southern belle of a name made famous via the iconic Edna Ferber novel and musical Showboat, is one of the latest wave of botanical names, along with unexpected blossoms Azalea and Zinnia. It is named for French botanist Pierre Magnol.

Maple is one of those sweet-spot word names that sounds so almost name-like that it doesn't feel outlandish or strange, despite its relative newness as a given name. Just as Juniper is adjacent to June or Pippa, Clover like Chloe or Clara and Ember like Emma or Ebba, Maple is enough like Mabel, Maisie and Mae that it blends in well and has a touch of borrowed vintage charm.

This pretty sea-born name was used to dramatic effect by Shakespeare in his play Pericles for the virtuous princess who says she is "Call'd Marina, for I was born at sea."

Marine was trending for a long time in France, but the far right politician Marine (born Marion) LePen has dampened the mood.

Marlin is a masculine name with multiple origins and meanings. It derives primarily from English surname traditions, originally denoting someone who lived near a small lake (mere) or possibly from the bird name 'merlin.' The name also inevitably brings to mind the marlin fish, a powerful ocean predator known for its strength and fighting spirit. Marlin gained modest popularity in the United States during the mid-20th century but remains relatively uncommon. The name carries associations with nature, the sea, and rugged independence. It combines traditional masculine qualities with distinctive character, making it appeal to parents seeking a name with strong imagery and outdoor connections without being overly common.

Soft and mellifluous nature-surname name, situated miles away from the dated Marshall.

Meadow's upward popularity trajectory certainly suggests that the name has transcended its connection to The Sopranos.. In the US, more than 750 baby girls were named Meadow last year, a number we expect to keep rising.

The quality of mercy makes this lovely Puritan virtue name a quiet favorite today. Although it was most popular in the late nineteenth century, Mercy is on its way to a comeback -- it rose 143 spots between 2012 and 2013, making it one of the year's fastest-rising names. Right now, it's still stylish and distinctive, a rare and wonderful combination.

You may be tempted to scoff at Mint as another wacky celebrity baby name — it was used by Dutch model Romee Strijd for her daughter in 2020 — but it's a far more legitimate choice than many would guess. Minty baby names for girls are having a style moment in Nordic countries — Mynte is a Top 50 name in Denmark, and Minttu ranks in Finland's Top 50. It's ultimately not so surprising that a well-traveled international star would choose to use the English variation of these names for her daughter.

The Play Misty for Me jokes will get old really fast.

Moor is a masculine name with Anglo-Saxon and geographical origins. Historically, it referred to a person who lived near or came from moorlands – open, uncultivated upland areas. The name also has connections to the historical term 'Moor,' which was used to describe people of North African, particularly Berber and Arab, descent. As a given name, Moor is exceptionally rare, more commonly encountered as a surname. It has a strong, concise sound with nature-based connotations of wildness and freedom. The simplicity of the name gives it a distinctive quality, though its various historical and geographical associations may influence how it's perceived across different cultures.