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Nature Names Off the Beaten Track

augusta_lee
By augusta_lee
Updated Tue Apr 18 2023
  1. Acacia

    • Origin:

      Greek

    • Meaning:

      "thorny"

    • Description:

      Acacia is an attractive, rarely used Greek flower name enhanced by its popular beginning-and-ending-with 'a'-construct, and is gradually beginning to catch on as a new member of the stylish girl names starting with A.
  2. Acantha

    • Origin:

      Greek

    • Meaning:

      "thorn, prickle"

    • Description:

      Acantha is one of the unique baby names in the stylish mythological category that also might count as a flower name. In Greek mythology, Acantha was a nymph beloved by Apollo. An unusual and attractive choice that could make a creative way to honor a grandma Rose.
  3. Adelvice

    • Description:

      Adelvice is an extremely rare feminine name with Germanic roots. It likely combines the Germanic elements 'adel' meaning 'noble' or 'nobility' and possibly 'wis' meaning 'wise', creating a name that suggests 'noble wisdom' or 'wise nobility'. The name has medieval origins but has remained exceedingly uncommon throughout history. Adelvice has an elegant, antique quality that echoes aristocratic European naming traditions. Despite its distinguished meaning and melodic sound, the name has never gained widespread usage, remaining a truly distinctive choice. Its rarity makes historical patterns of use difficult to track, though it shares linguistic elements with more common names like Adelaide, Adelina, and Alice.

  4. Altair

    • Origin:

      Arabic

    • Meaning:

      "falcon"

    • Description:

      The eleventh brightest star in the sky has a celestial feel, but also could be the name of a commercial airline.
  5. Amaryllis

    • Origin:

      Greek

    • Meaning:

      "to sparkle"

    • Description:

      If you love both unique baby names and flower names for girls, Amaryllis might be a perfect choice for you.
  6. Ambrosia

    • Origin:

      Latin, feminine form of Ambrose

    • Meaning:

      "Immortal"

    • Description:

      Ambrosia combines some of the more whimsical qualities of more popular Aurora and Isabella, with a heavenly meaning.
  7. Andromeda

    • Origin:

      Greek mythology name

    • Meaning:

      "advising like a man"

    • Description:

      One of the stellar unique baby names from mythology, Andromeda was the beautiful daughter of Cassiopeia who, like her mother, literally became a star--the constellation that bears her name.The Bohemian Andromeda makes a dramatic and adventurous choice in a time when four-syllable mythological names are gradually making their way into the mainstream.
  8. Anemone

    • Origin:

      Flower name; Greek

    • Meaning:

      "daughter of the wind"

    • Description:

      Anemone is a floral name that relates to the ancient Greek myth of the famous love story of Aphrodite and Adonis, in which Aphrodite transforms her wounded lover's blood into a flower, the crimson anemone, whose blossoms are opened by the wind — accounting for its other name, windflower.
  9. Anise

    • Origin:

      Nature name

    • Description:

      Name of the licorice plant, this spice comes in the shape of a star, giving this name an extra level of sweetness.
  10. Anisette

    • Description:

      Anisette is a delicate feminine name derived from the sweet, anise-flavored liqueur of the same name. The liqueur itself takes its name from anise, an aromatic herb used in cooking and traditional medicine. With French linguistic roots, Anisette has a distinctly European flair and sophisticated sound. The '-ette' suffix adds a diminutive, feminine quality typical of French naming patterns. While exceedingly rare as a given name, Anisette offers parents a unique option with built-in sweetness and cultural associations. The name might appeal to families with French heritage or those with connections to culinary traditions. Its rarity ensures individuality while its familiar sound pattern makes it accessible.
  11. Arbor

    • Origin:

      Nature name

    • Description:

      Arbor is an original unisex tree-related choice we're sure to hear more of. Highly unusual now, Arbor takes its place alongside other new arborial names ranging from the mighty Oak (or Oakley) to the more delicate Birch to the more flowery Juniper, Acacia, and Hazel.
  12. Arcadia

    • Origin:

      Greek

    • Meaning:

      "region offering peace and contentment"

    • Description:

      Arcadia, a name for an unspoiled paradise, makes an attractive secular alternative to Nevaeh or Eden. For parents who want an unusual name with a friendlier nickname, Arcadia has the advantage of cute Cady.
  13. Arden

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "valley of the eagle; high"

    • Description:

      Arden, the name of the magical forest in Shakespeare's As You Like It, is a stylish A name with a strong, straightforward image. Another reason to love Arden: its similarity to "ardent." Arden is solidly unisex, with the current gender distribution running about 60 percent girls and 40 percent boys.
  14. Ash

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Asher, English

    • Meaning:

      "ash tree"

    • Description:

      Ash has Southern charm plus the arboreal-nature appeal. Plus your little boy will prize Ash as the name of the hero of the Pokemon cartoons. Ash can also be a dashing short form of Asher, Ashton, or any other "Ash" name.
  15. Aspen

    • Origin:

      Nature and place-name

    • Meaning:

      "a poplar tree that quakes in the breeze"

    • Description:

      Aspen is part of two groups of stylish and unique baby names: nature names and place-names. The name of a graceful tree in the poplar family with heart-shaped leaves so delicate they quiver in the gentlest breeze, Aspen is also the name of a trendy Colorado ski resort. Aspen started as a unisex name possibility but now is much more frequently worn by girls.
  16. Aster

    • Origin:

      English; Amharic

    • Meaning:

      "star"

    • Description:

      This is a fresh new addition to the botanical list; comedian Gilbert Gottfried made it a real bouquet when he named his daughter Lily Aster. And the name of the little girl on television's Dexter sounds like Aster, but is actually spelled Astor, which brings it more high society name. Aster relates to the Greek word for star. In Ethiopia, Aster is pronounced "ah-STAIR", and is the Amharic variation of Biblical Esther.
  17. Auburn

    • Origin:

      Color name

    • Meaning:

      "deep reddish-brown"

    • Description:

      A strong, warm name and a strong warm color. Would make an excellent alternative to August or Aubrey.
  18. August

    • Origin:

      German form of Latin Augustus

    • Meaning:

      "great, magnificent"

    • Description:

      The name August is at its highest point since the 1890s, when it ranked among the Top 100 boy names in the US – and deservedly so. With its great meaning, historic roots, and cool nicknames, 2024 saw August officially re-enter the Top 100.
  19. Azure

    • Origin:

      English color name

    • Meaning:

      "sky blue"

    • Description:

      Azure is a colorful gender-neutral choice, currently used equally for baby girls and boys in the US. It refers to a specific shade of blue seen in a cloudless sky. Elon Musk recently revealed Azure to be the name of his daughter with Shivon Zilis, twin sister to Strider. While X and Y didn't stand a chance at greater popularity, parents may be inspired to use the name Azure following this celebrity endorsement.
  20. Bamboo

    • Origin:

      Word name

    • Description:

      Bamboo is a plant name that you might want to save for the zoo's name-the-panda contest. It was used for a starbaby in 2000, though, the rapper Big Boi.