ULTIMATE LIST OF ANIMAL BABY NAMES

From literal animal names to names with animal meanings. From fairly common to rare, I think we can all agree animals names are the best. Animals are the best.
  1. 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.
  2. Aderyn
    • Origin:

      Cornish
    • Meaning:

      "bird"
    • Description:

      Aderyn, like cousin Elowen, may have found her moment: Aderyn makes an original full name that gets you to the cute and trendy nickname Addie. Just remember to put the emphasis on the second syllable.
  3. Aghavni
    • Origin:

      Armenian
    • Meaning:

      "dove"
    • Description:

      Gorgeous and definitely wearable for a Western baby girl.
  4. Agnes
    • Origin:

      Greek
    • Meaning:

      "pure, virginal"
    • Description:

      Agnes is the Latin variation of the name Hagne, which itself derived from the Greek word hagnos, meaning "chaste." In medieval times, St. Agnes was a very popular saint, leading to its popularity as a girl's name. Agnes Grey is the title of one of the two novels written by Anne Brontë.
  5. Alondra
    • Origin:

      Pet form of Alejandra or Spanish
    • Meaning:

      "lark"
    • Description:

      A Spanish TV show made this one popular, along with single-named Mexican singer, Alondra.
  6. 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.
  7. Amalthea
    • Origin:

      Greek
    • Meaning:

      "tender goddess"
    • Description:

      In Greek mythology, Amalthea is the name of a goat (or, sometimes, a goat-keeping nymph) who nursed the infant Zeus and protected him from his murderous father, Cronus. Thanks to the goat’s protection and nourishment, Zeus grew up to overthrow Cronus.
  8. Andor
    • Origin:

      Norse
    • Meaning:

      "manly"
    • Description:

      Unusual but accessible multi-cultural choice. In Greek culture, one of many variations of Andreas, including Androu and Ander.
  9. Apollo
    • Origin:

      Greek mythology name
    • Meaning:

      "destroyer"
    • Description:

      With mythological names rising, the handsome son of Zeus and god of medicine, music, and poetry among many other things might offer an interesting, if high-pressure, option.
  10. Areli
    • Origin:

      Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "the voice of God"
    • Description:

      Most common among the Jewish community and Spanish-speakers, Areli might be a great choice for parents looking for a name with Biblical roots that still sounds trendy and wears well across cultures.
  11. Arethusa
    • Ari
      • Origin:

        Diminutive of Ariel, Hebrew
      • Meaning:

        "lion of God"
      • Description:

        Ari, the short form of Ariel (or any other Ari- beginning name, such as Aristotle) stands up better as a boys’ name than its progenitor does. It is also short for Aristotle, as in Onassis, and is a prominent character on TV's Entourage -- the uberagent Ari Gold.
    • Ariel
      • Origin:

        Hebrew
      • Meaning:

        "lion of God"
      • Description:

        Despite its distinguished pedigree and popularity in Israel, Disney's Little Mermaid cartoonized Ariel in the US, at least in some people's minds. But it was used for a male character in Shakespeare's The Tempest centuries ago.
    • Arnaldo
      • Arnold
        • Origin:

          English from German
        • Meaning:

          "ruler, strong as an eagle"
        • Description:

          Strange as it may now seem, the venerable St. Arnold was a Greek by birth, a musician who became a member of the court of Charlemagne. The name is said to have been introduced into Britain by the Normans in the form Arnaud.
      • Arthur
        • Origin:

          Celtic
        • Meaning:

          " bear"
        • Description:

          Arthur, once the shining head of the Knights of the Round Table, is, after decades of neglect, now being polished up and restored by stylish parents, inspired perhaps by the new generation of royals. Arthur has led the list of possible names for the young British princes, chosen as a middle name for Prince Louis, son of William and Catherine, Prince and Princess of Wales.
      • Arvid
        • Origin:

          Swedish, Norwegian, Danish
        • Meaning:

          "eagle-tree"
        • Description:

          Arvid, a Scandinavian name that's virtually unknown in the US, is one of the top baby names in Sweden. It might make a handsome, unusual choice for a parent in search of an original yet traditional A name.
      • Asad
        • Aslan
          • Origin:

            Turkish
          • Meaning:

            "lion"
          • Description:

            Aslan, derived from the Old Turkic for "lion," is best known in the West as the name of the heroic lion in C.S. Lewis' "Chronicles of Narnia" series, who serves as an allegorical stand-in for Jesus Christ. It was also used as a positive epithet for several Turkish emperors in the Middle Ages.
        • Astor
          • Origin:

            Provençal; Icelandic
          • Meaning:

            "hawk; thunder god"
          • Description:

            Similar to the floral name Aster, this spelling derives separately from Old Provençal astur "hawk") and from the Icelandic name elements as ("god") and þor ("thunder").