Earthy/Nature Names

Banana is one fruity name we wouldn't recommend. Pick Plum instead. There is a Japanese novelist whose pen name is Banana Yoshimoto--birth name Mahoko.

A strong, meaningful name, associated with a famous Cherokee linguistic scholar; also suggests the magnificent California sequoia redwood trees.

Winter, Summer, and Autumn are all mainstream names; this covers all bases.

Though Roscoe is an edgy hipster name for boys, it's an even edgier, more hipsterish name for girls.

North's image and gender status was irrevocably changed when Kim Kardashian and Kanye West announced it as the name of their newborn daughter. But why not? West is firmly established as a name, Easton is coming up strong, and North has a nice solid sound as well -- certainly as appropriate for either gender. South, though, not so much.

Feather, though it was used for a character in a Walter Mosley novel, seems too light and fluttery for a real-life girl.

Ash is a gender-neutral choice that calls to mind the '80s favorite: Ashley. But view it as a nature name -- as in the tree, not the charred bit of soot in the fireplace -- and it makes a cool choice that fits with today's trends.

Garland is fragrant and celebratory, and also has a celebrity-tribute tie to the star of The Wizard of Oz.

Helen Hunt chose this lovely name for her daughter.

A cool and breezy nature name with a stylish sound, used by Volkswagen for one of its cars.

Parke is a masculine name with English origins, functioning as a variant spelling of Park. Derived from the Old English 'parroc,' meaning 'enclosed space,' it began as a surname for someone who lived near or worked in a park, particularly hunting grounds. As a first name, Parke emerged from the trend of using surnames as given names, a practice common in English-speaking countries since the 19th century. The added 'e' gives the name a more distinguished, traditional appearance. Parke has never been widely popular but maintains a steady, albeit uncommon, presence in naming records. It appeals to parents seeking a name with understated elegance, English heritage, and connections to nature without being overtly botanical.

Windsor may have male references, such as Britain's royal House of Windsor and a tie's windsor knot, but this name also has a definite feminine feel, as in Windsor Rose. That seems appropriate, as Windsor is used equally these days for boys and girls. Nicknames might include Win, Wind, Windy, and Winnie.

Crisanta, while not related to Christine, would make a pretty and highly unusual alternative to that tried-and-true name. Because of its relationship to the chrysanthemum, the flower of the month of November, it's one of the recommended names for Scorpio babies as well as names for November babies. Crisanta might also give you a fresh route to nicknames like Cris, Crissy, or Cristie.

Gem is a concise, evocative feminine name derived directly from the English word for precious stones. This nature-inspired name conveys qualities of rarity, beauty, and value. As a given name, Gem has never been widely common but has maintained steady, limited usage, particularly in English-speaking countries. The name's brevity makes it distinctive in an era when longer names are often popular. Gem can also function as a nickname for longer names like Gemma, Gemini, or even more distantly related names like Jemima. The name evokes positive associations with brilliance, durability, and natural beauty. Its simplicity makes it easy to spell and pronounce across cultures while carrying rich metaphorical meaning.

It's a beautiful burnished metal -- but also slang for policeman.

This name of a supermodel from Ukraine is not one of those Eastern European choices that translate easily or attractively.

nature namesare in, and even fish names like Pike and Salmon are open for consideration.

Americans may not realize Barclay is the phonetic spelling of the British Berkeley -- though both sound like old-fashioned butler names.

Overly teasable.

Hurricane is a storm, but it's also an American name, thanks to rising tennis star Hurricane Black -- whose sister's name is Tornado. There's no reason this tempestuous choice can't work for boys too, inasfar as the name can work for any child. As a name, Hurricane is definitely original and attention-getting, but is it a name you'd want to carry around for life?