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Names Inspired by Insects and Arachnids

tgannon1423
By tgannon1423
Updated Fri Feb 02 2024
A list of names inspired by insects, arachnids, etc! Some have meanings directly related to bugs, while others are names of various bug genera/classifications. For example, St. Ambrose is the patron saint of beekeeping while Rhyssa is a genus of wasp.
  1. Adalia

    • Origin:

      Hebrew, German, "God is my refuge; noble one"

    • Meaning:

      "God is my refuge; noble one"

    • Description:

      Distinctive, elegant, and luxurious, Adalia can be a variation of Adele, or a Hebrew name with a Biblical background. Although it is given exclusively to girls in the US, in the Bible it is masculine. The similar Adlai might be easier to wear for boys in English speaking countries, while Adalia fits in with Adeline, Amelia, and Dahlia.
  2. Ambrose

    • Origin:

      Latin

    • Meaning:

      "immortal"

    • Description:

      Gentle but grandiose and beloved by British novelists including Evelyn Waugh and P. G. Wodehouse, Ambrose was a fast rising name in 2022. Entering the UK Top 1000 for the first time and proving popular among Nameberry users, its elegance, softness, and vintage style means it fits in with popular Theodore, Sebastian, and Jeremiah.
  3. Beckett

    • Origin:

      English and Irish

    • Meaning:

      "bee hive, little brook or bee cottage"

    • Description:

      Beckett is one of the big baby name hits of the decade.
  4. Behan

    • Origin:

      Irish

    • Meaning:

      "bee"

    • Description:

      An Anglicized derivative of the Gaelic name Beatha, meaning "life," best known as the surname of Irish playwright Brendan Behan.
  5. Bindi

    • Origin:

      Australian Aboriginal

    • Meaning:

      "butterfly"

    • Description:

      In the Noongar language of Western Australia, Bindi means butterfly. Bindi is usually seen as a girls' name, as seen in Bindi Irwin, daughter of the late Steve Irwin.
  6. Deborah

    • Origin:

      Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "bee"

    • Description:

      Deborah has suffered from the fact that in the mid-twentieth century there were so many Debbies on the block that the beauty and meaning of the original name got lost. Deborah may no longer be among the most popular girl names starting with D, but now this lovely name of an Old Testament prophetess suddenly sounds fresher than overused Sarah, Rachel, and Rebecca.
  7. Kaira

    • Description:

      Kaira is a feminine name with multiple cultural origins, creating a beautiful synthesis of meanings across traditions. In Hindi, Kaira means 'peaceful' or 'peaceful place,' while some associate it with the Sanskrit word for 'crown.' In African traditions, particularly Yoruba, it can mean 'peaceful soul.' The name also appears as a variation of the Irish Keira (meaning 'dark-haired') or the Greek Kyra ('lady' or 'mistress'). Kaira has gained modest popularity in recent decades as parents seek distinctive yet melodious names with positive meanings. Its gentle sound combined with strong meanings of peace and leadership makes it appealing across cultures. Though not among the most common names, Kaira offers a balance of uniqueness and accessibility that continues to attract parents seeking a meaningful yet contemporary choice.

  8. Lysandra

    • Origin:

      Greek

    • Meaning:

      "liberator"

    • Description:

      This name is the feminization of mythological name Lysander, which is best known to English-speakers as a character in Shakespeare's comedy A Midsummer Night's Dream.
  9. Melina

    • Origin:

      Greek

    • Meaning:

      "little honey"

    • Description:

      This traditional Greek name has held somewhat steady in the lower half of the US Top 1000 for the past 25 years, which makes it a great option for parents looking for a name that both fits in and stands out.
  10. Melissa

    • Origin:

      Greek

    • Meaning:

      "honeybee"

    • Description:

      Melissa derives from the Greek word mélissa, meaning "bee," which was taken from the word for honey, meli. In Greek mythology, Melissa was a nymph who nursed the infant god Zeus with honey. Melissa was used as a given name by the early Greeks, as well as for fairies by Italian Renaissance poets.
  11. Rhyssa
    • Vanessa

      • Origin:

        Literary invention; also a species of butterfly

      • Description:

        Vanessa was invented by writer Jonathan Swift for a lover named Esther Vanhomrigh—he combined the first syllable of her last name with the initial syllable of her first. Swift used it in the poem Cadenus and Vanessa in 1713. A century later, Johan Christian Fabricius used Vanessa as the name of a genus of butterfly.
    • Yara

      • Origin:

        Arabic, Persian, Brazilian, Hebrew

      • Meaning:

        "friend, helper; strength; water nymph; honeycomb"

      • Description:

        The multicultural Yara is a sweet but substantial choice that could make a more unusual take on Sara and also work in multiple languages Popular in Portugal, The Netherlands, and Switzerland, familiar in the UK and France, it entered the US Top 1000 in 2017 and has been climbing the charts ever since.