Animal Related Names

A long list of amazing girls' names based on animals....from birds to bears, there are many names inspired by our furry and feathered friends and all the amazing qualities that they represent. These names come from many different cultures and languages, and many are not even on Nameberry.
  1. Adler
    • Origin:

      German
    • Meaning:

      "eagle"
    • Description:

      This common German-Jewish surname is a fast riser among boys but lately has been picked up by parents of girls as well. Notable figures with the surname include designer Jonathan Adler, Freud contemporary Alfred Adler, and decorator Frances Adler Elkins and her brother, architect David Adler.
  2. Ainara
    • Origin:

      Basque
    • Meaning:

      "swallow (bird)"
    • Description:

      Ainara is among the Top 100 girls' names in Spain and is just starting to take off in the US.
  3. Aja
    • Origin:

      Spelling variation of Aya or Hindi
    • Meaning:

      "goat"
    • Description:

      Sounds like and is often confused with Asia, though it has an air of retro cool via the seminal Steely Dan album. Or, pronounced eye-ah, it can be an alternate spelling of the international favorite Aya.
  4. Aquila
    • Origin:

      Latin
    • Meaning:

      "eagle"
    • Description:

      An evocative ancient word that's used as a first name in the New Testament, among other places. It's also the name of an eagle-shaped constellation.
  5. Ariel
    • Origin:

      Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "lion of God"
    • Description:

      Ariel is a male Biblical name, seen there as the messenger of Ezra, and also used as a symbolic name for the city of Jerusalem, while Shakespeare used it for a (male) sprite in The Tempest.
  6. Arnelle
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "eagle power"
    • Description:

      Feminine spin on Arnold that received a brief flurry of use in the early 1990s.
  7. Aubrey
    • Origin:

      English from French version of German Alberic
    • Meaning:

      "elf ruler"
    • Description:

      Almost like a fusion between vintage Audrey, bubbly Ruby, and unisex Avery, Aubrey has been a popular choice for girls since the mid 2000’s.
  8. Aviana
    • Origin:

      Variation of Avis, Latin
    • Meaning:

      "bird"
    • Description:

      Aviana is a name that's kinda like the megapopular Ava, and kinda like the popular Ariana, and not quite as widely appealing as either of them. But it's on everyone's scope now as the choice of actress Amy Adams for her new daughter -- ironic as she was quoted as saying she wanted a "normal" name. Turns out that Adams was born in Aviano, Italy, explaining the mystery. The first syllable of the name can be pronounced ah, ay, or (most commonly) to rhyme with have.
  9. Avis
    • Origin:

      Latin
    • Meaning:

      "bird"
    • Description:

      Avis is a bird name that's been in hibernation for awhile, possibly due to the car rental association, but it could make a return on the wings of Ava. Baldwin brother Daniel chose it for his daughter.
  10. Aya
    • Origin:

      Japanese, Hebrew, Arabic
    • Meaning:

      "colorful, bird, sign"
    • Description:

      Aya, barely more than a breath, is an international favorite, with origins in several languages and cultures. Popular throughout Europe, It debuted on the US Top 1000 in 2012.
  11. Aleria
    • Arnalda
      • Arnette
        • Arnulfa
          • Asela
            • Barrett
              • Origin:

                German
              • Meaning:

                "bear strength"
              • Description:

                There are a surprising number of baby boys named Barrett each year in the US -- nearly 1800 -- along with 30 baby girls. Which is more than many people might guess.
            • Bernadette
              • Origin:

                German
              • Meaning:

                "brave as a bear"
              • Description:

                Although feminizations ending in "ette" are not particularly popular now, Bernadette is a pleasant, feminine, but strong name that doesn't feel prohibitively dated. And though strongly associated with the saint who saw visions of the Virgin Mary—Saint Bernadette of Lourdes—it is now no longer strictly inhabiting the Catholic diocese.
            • Bernadine
              • Origin:

                German
              • Meaning:

                "brave as a bear"
              • Description:

                As dated as the old Pat Boone song.
            • Birdie
              • Origin:

                English
              • Meaning:

                "bird"
              • Description:

                Birdie was until recently a middle-aged Ladies' Club member wearing a bird-decorated hat --but now it's just the kind of vintage nickname (think Hattie, Josie, Mamie, Millie) that's coming back into style in a big way. Actress Busy Philipps named her baby Birdie (inspired by First Lady Lady Bird Johnson), as did soap star Maura West.
            • Brenda
              • Origin:

                Scottish
              • Meaning:

                "blade of a sword"
              • Description:

                First the heroine of Sir Walter Scott's 1822 novel The Pirate, then a glamorous 1940s debutante, then the troubled twin on Beverly Hills 90210, and now fading in favor of more modern Brenna, Briana, and Bryn. Much more likely to be worn by a mother or grandmother these days. The song "Brenda's Got a Baby" was late rap megastar Tupac's debut single.