Dryad Names

Short, sweet, and sharp, this multicultural choice is currently popular in Croatia, Czechia, Slovenia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina. While not in the charts elsewhere, it is familiar in English speaking countries, and in the Netherlands.

Omitting the extra R of Forrest transforms the name from a masculine one referencing woodsmen to a unisex nature name.

Hot star Ashton Kutcher is pushing this unisex choice toward the boys' camp, but its variation Ashtyn is on the rise.

Like many a popular name, Ornella is a theatrical creation. Italian playwright Gabriele d'Annunzio created this name for his dramatic heroine in the 1904 play La Figlia di Iorio. Ornella is a feminization of the orno or ornello, which is the Italian word for the Fraxinus Ornus, a type of tree which produces such sweet sap that it was compared to biblical manna.

Lovely entry into the tree name genre, joining Juniper, Maple, and Willow. Nearly 200 babies were named Cypress in the US last year, about 40 percent of them female.

A fresh and fragrant nature name, Cedar is one of the new tree/wood names that parents are starting to consider. A unisex option, for every one girl called Cedar, there are currently two boys. Nevertheless, its similarity to Selah, Celia, Freda, Sailor, and Ida could mean it doesn't feel out of place for any gender.

Hadas is a feminine Hebrew name meaning "myrtle," a flowering plant with historical and cultural significance in Jewish tradition. The myrtle is one of the Four Species used during the Jewish holiday of Sukkot and symbolizes peace and blessing. In Jewish mysticism, it also represents divine justice tempered with mercy. The name has been used in Israel since the revival of Hebrew as a spoken language in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, reflecting the trend of adopting nature-based names. Hadas remains moderately popular in Israel but is uncommon elsewhere, giving it a distinctive quality in international settings. The name's brevity and easy pronunciation make it accessible across cultures, while its meaningful connection to Jewish tradition and nature provides cultural depth.

Ten times as many boys are named Oak as girls: about 50 boys last year to five girls. Of course, nature names don't have any traditional gender identification the way names like John and Mary do, so Oak works well for all babies. Oakley is the most popular Oak name for babies of all genders.

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.

Attractive middle name option.

Fresh, evocative choice.

Sounds incomplete, like a pet form of Miranda.

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