28 Nature Names for Babies Trending Now
Parents have drawn inspiration from the awe and wonder of nature for baby names for millennia. For instance, the ancient Egyptian name Khepri means ‘morning sun.’, and the ancient Celtic name Taran means ‘thunder.'
Nature-inspired baby names reflect a love for the natural world and embody timeless traits of strength, peace, and the beauty found in the great outdoors.
It's fun to see what's becoming more popular in naming trends. Take a look to see names matching the awe and wonder a new baby brings to the world.
Why These Names?
We used the Social Security Administration (SSA) names database to find this list of nature names. We chose names with an upward trend since 2015. Most are in the top 1000 names for babies in the United States, but some are more rare, yet still on an upward trend.
Gender Neutral Names From Nature
Many names inspired by the natural world are unisex—not necessarily associated strictly with girls or boys, and lovely for any baby. The following names are found on both boy and girl name lists in the SSA database.
Ari
Ari is a diminutive of the Hebrew name Ariel meaning “lion of God.”
Briar
Briar invokes the image of tangled, thorny vines in the forest. It symbolizes resilience, protection, and the untamed beauty found in nature.
Kai
Kai is a beautifully simple name meaning sea in Hawaiian.
Lennox
Lennox means ‘elm grove' and it has Scottish origins. It might remind you of Singer-Songwriter Annie Lennox, or the former professional boxer Lennox Lewis.
Lux
Meaning “light” in Latin, Lux is a name that signifies illumination, clarity, and the transformative power of nature's radiance.
Oakley
Derived from the mighty oak tree, Oakley symbolizes strength, endurance, and resilience. It's a name that conveys a sense of grounding and stability.
Ocean
The name Ocean embodies depth, exploration, and a sense of vastness.
River
River brings to mind both the power and free-flowing spirit of water. It represents a constant, adaptable, and peaceful presence.
Sage
Sage is a name associated with wisdom and deep knowledge, much like the sage plants used in herbal remedies. It reflects a sense of calm and insight drawn from nature.
Sky
Sky is a nature-inspired name for boys and girls that can also be spelled Skye, like the Isle of Skye in Scotland.
Nature Inspired Names for Baby Girls
Nature gives us names associated with both beauty and strength, qualities anyone would want for their baby girl.
Aurora
Named after the stunning Northern and Southern Lights, Aurora represents light and enchantment.
Clover
Clover is a name associated with pretty meadow flowers and good luck via the four-leaf clover.
Elowen
Elowen is a name of Cornish origin, meaning “elm tree.” It celebrates the strength, growth, and interconnectedness found in the natural world.
Iris
Iris is a name that symbolizes hope, connection, and the beauty of nature's palette.
Isla
A variant of Islay, a Scottish island on the west coast. Isla also means “island” in Spanish, encapsulating the serenity and isolation often found in natural landscapes. It conveys a sense of peaceful seclusion.
Keziah
Keziah is a name inspired by the aromatic cassia tree. It signifies fragrance, healing, and a deep connection to the earth's resources.
Marigold
Marigolds are beautiful golden flowers that symbolize beauty, warmth, and creativity, and attract pollinators to your garden. What's not to like?
Nova
Nova is the term for a star that suddenly increases in brightness before fading back to its original state. It comes from the Latin word for new, because the brightness of the astronomical event causes the star to appear “new”.
Violet
Violet, a name derived from the flower, represents modesty, humility, and the delicate beauty found in nature's simplicity.
Boy Names With Inspiration From Nature
Sometimes, it feels hard to come up with baby boy names that are both masculine and beautiful. Nature gives us name options that will do the trick.
Bear
Brave and powerful – Bear could also be transformed into Bera for a girl.
Cosmo
Cosmo, meaning “order” or “beauty” in Greek, reflects the harmony and grandeur of the cosmos. It symbolizes the vastness of the universe.
Cedar
Cedar is a name inspired by the sturdy and aromatic cedar tree. It embodies strength, wisdom, and a sense of protection.
Luca
Luca is a name inspired by “light” in Italian. It symbolizes clarity, illumination, and the guiding presence of nature's brilliance.
Orson
Orson, is a notehr bear name meaning “bear cub.” It celebrates the strength, courage, and wild spirit of the bear.
Rhodes
The Greek origin of this name means ‘where the roses grow'. You can think of it as a masculine version of the name Rose.
Stone
This name is cool, calm, and collected.
Zev
Zev is a name of Hebrew origin, meaning “wolf.” It symbolizes independence, instinct, and the primal connection to the natural world.
Zephyr
Zephyr is a name derived from the gentle west wind. It represents a soothing and refreshing breeze, bringing renewal and change.
This post was made with help from Babynames.com, and Nameberry.
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Alissa Zorn is an author, and founder of the website Overthought This. She's a coach and cartoonist passionate about helping people overcome perfectionism and shame to build authentic, joyful lives. Alissa is certified through the International Coach Federation and got her Trauma-Informed Coaching certification from Moving the Human Spirit. She wrote Bounceback Parenting: A Field Guide for Creating Connection, Not Perfection, and is always following curiosity to find her next creative endeavor.