Nature Baby Names: Drawing Inspiration from the Great Outdoors

Of all of the creative places to draw baby name inspiration from, nature may be one of the best. The great outdoors has inspired art and music since the dawn of time, so why not take note of that when considering baby names? From trees to minerals to animals and beyond, there’s inspiration everywhere we look when we step outside.

Nature Baby Names for Girls

Acacia

Pronounced “uh-KAY-shuh,” this stunning Greek name holds the meaning of “thorny.” For a name that’s a mix of edgy and delicate, look no further.

Autumn

Just like Richard Gilmore, your little one can be an “Autumn” with this baby name that pays homage to the colorful fall season.

Aurora

It doesn’t get much more colorful than this title shared with the Northern Lights, also known as the Aurora Borealis. As an added bonus, Aurora can be shortened to the sweet nickname of Rory.

Azalea

Inspired by the vibrant flowering shrubs, Azalea means “dry,” but the name sure feels like anything but.

Briony

This highly rare botanical baby name refers to a “climbing plant.”

Clover

A name as eccentric as nature itself, parents of a little one with this adorable name are sure to be as lucky as a four-leaf clover.

Dawn

Just like bringing a little girl home will light up your world, giving her this name is sure to brighten your life as it refers to “daybreak.”

Dahlia

As one of the more unique floral baby names, Dahlia is definitely one to consider. The delicate Swedish name means “valley.”

Flora

With a meaning like “flower,” this Latin title couldn’t be left out of our nature-inspired baby names list.

Gaia

This beautiful Greek name—pronounced “Guy-ah” is multifaceted. First, it translates to “Earth,” making it the ultimate nature baby name. But on top of that, in Greek mythology, Gaia was known as the mother goddess and the personification of Earth. Raise a little nurturer with this short but sweet title.

Hyacinth

Botanists and Bridgerton fans alike can appreciate this unique title. Known as the youngest sibling in the series, the name refers to a blooming purple and blue perennial.

Iris

Whether you’re a fan of “rainbows,” the Goo Goo Dolls, or both, Iris is the perfect baby name for your little girl.

nature-inspired baby names — *Source: @akinasway*

Isla

Raise a little beach baby with this Spanish baby name that translates to “island.”

Ivy

Referring to the climbing evergreen plant, we also appreciate that in the Ancient Greek culture, Ivy was seen as a sign of fidelity and faithfulness.

Juniper

Don’t be surprised if you see more ‘J’ baby names on the tee ball roster in a few years. This may just be one of the cutest baby names that start with ‘J’ and we love that it means “evergreen.”

Maple

Going a little out of the box perhaps fits right in when it comes to nature-inspired names. We love this sweet name that references the Maple tree.

Olive

It doesn’t get much more precious than a sweet little Olive. A fun alternative to the popular Olivia, this name refers to the olive tree.

Raven

A baby name with a hint of nostalgia is always a good idea. If your own childhood involved watching endless episodes of That’s So Raven, consider giving your little girl this name referring to the large black bird.

Savannah

Meaning “from the open plain,” we love this name for its nature roots, as well as the city in Georgia it brings to mind.

Willow

Thanks are due to Will and Jada Smith for putting this adorable baby name more on our radar. It, fittingly, refers to ever-flowing willow trees.

Wren

This quirky name may sound a bit out there at first, but it’s actually been growing in popularity over recent years. It means “little bird.”

Zinnia

Think outside of the birdhouse with this unique Latin name that refers to a flower from the Aster family.

More Nature Baby Names for Girls

Amber
Astrid
Ava
Blossom
Brooke
Chloe
Coral
Crystal
Daisy
Fleur
Gemma
Ginger
Hazel
Heather
Jade
Jasmine
Jewel
Lavender
Lily
Luna
Marigold
Misty
Pepper
Sage
Stella
Violet

Nature Baby Names for Boys

Alder

Alders are part of the birch family of trees. This name feels extra distinguished and holds the meaning of “older,” making it a perfect option if you plan on having more than one kiddo.

Arthur

A highly masculine name of Celtic, Latin, and Welsh origin that brings forth royal imagery, Arthur has the strong meaning of “bear.”

Bear

And while we’re on the topic, why not give your little one a highly unique name inspired by the animal kingdom? We love this name that’s similar to the increasingly popular Wolf.

Beckett

Honeybee-loving families can appreciate this old-fashioned name meaning “beehive.”

Callum

The perfect combination of masculinity and femininity meet in Callum. The uncommon moniker means “dove.”

Caspian

A geographical title, Caspian refers to the sea between Asia and Europe. Literary fans can also appreciate that Prince Caspian is the hero in The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis.

Clay

Of course, referring to the fine-grained soil, Clay is a highly cool occupational title referring to a “clay worker.”

Cliff

Just as cool as Clay is Cliff, which brings to mind the edge of a steep rock. We love it as is or as the nickname of the longer old-fashioned boy name, Clifford.

Connor

For an option that feels more youthful, welcome a Connor into your home. Best for a home with a pet dog or two, Connor holds the meaning of “lover of hounds.”

nature baby names — *Source: @paigechristensen*

Laith

This Arabic title is perfect for a feisty little boy as it means “lion.”

Micah

Where there are trees, there are minerals. A historic Hebrew title, Micah is brought to our list by mica crystals and means “Who is like the Lord?”

Murphy

Gaelic names in general tend to give very Earthy, natural vibes, and Murphy is no exception. A baby born by the ocean is perfectly suited for this name meaning “warrior of the sea.”

Orson

We may think of the Old Hollywood star Orson Wells upon hearing this name. But, it’s also very nature-centric with the meaning of “bear cub.”

Ronan

A historical surname of Irish origin, Ronan holds the meaning of “little seal.”

Roscoe

Welcome a little rascal with this adorable English surname that means “deer wood.”

Rowan

A name rich in nature and folklore, Rowan is brought to our list by the tree of the same name. This type of tree is said to be able to protect against witchcraft and enchantment—but we know you’ll be captivated by your little one no matter what!

More Nature Baby Names for Boys

Birch
Brock
Colin
Colt
Corbin
Cypress
Dylan
Finn
Flint
Forrest
Fox
Gavin
Jasper
Jonah
Leo
Marshall
Oliver
Onyx
Orion
Oscar
Philip
Wade
Wolf

Gender-Neutral Nature Baby Names

Ash

Arboreal titles are especially fitting on a list of nature baby names, and Ash is a snappy inclusion we couldn’t pass up. Referring to the Ash tree, we also love that this name with Hebrew roots holds the meaning of “happy.”

Barrett

A gender-neutral option that exudes power is this German title, meaning “bear strength.”

Brooks

Bringing to mind a small stream, Brooks is an adorable name that has unsurprisingly been growing in popularity in recent years.

Callan

While seemingly softer in nature, this title actually has a few strong meanings, including “rock,” “brave,” and “powerful in battle.”

Hollis

Its counterpart Holly may come off as highly feminine, but Hollis, also referring to the holly tree, feels perfectly gender-neutral.

Kai

Hawaiians understand a thing or two about being one with nature. They’re the inspiration for this name which means “the sea.”

Lennox

Another Gaelic name that also has Scottish roots is Lennox. The adorable earthy name means “elm grove.”

Linden

With the expansive variety of species that nature gives us, it’s only fitting that the baby name inspiration we draw from it is also extensive. This unique name is a breath of fresh air and refers to the Linwood tree.

Marlow

Charm, elegance, and nature meet in perfect harmony in this old-school title meaning “driftwood.”

Ocean

This gender-neutral nature name rolled onto the list of the most popular baby boy names for the first time in 2020 and has stayed there since.

Phoenix

This edgy inclusion references both the Arizona state capitol as well as the mythical bird. A little one of this title is sure to be the coolest kiddo in town.

Rhodes

Meaning “where roses grow,” this name is adorable and brings to mind influential “It” girl Hailey Bieber, whose middle name and line of skincare is Rhode.

Sequoia

Before you “veto” this one like Ross did in Friends, think about it just a bit more. This name of the giant redwood trees is as cool—and unique!—as it gets.

More Gender-Neutral Nature Baby Names

Aire
Aspen
August
Banks
Byron
Everest
Florian
Glenn
Hawthorne
Morgan
Oakley
Reed
River
Robin
Skye
Sterling

110+ Nature Baby Names Inspired by the Great Outdoors