"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.
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What’s fun about nature-inspired baby names is that while many of the words are commonplace, they make creative and unique baby names. We have several celebrities to thank for putting quirky monikers into the mainstream. Think Gwyneth Paltrow’s daughter Apple or Kim and Kanye’s daughter North. These names may have raised some eyebrows back in the day, but they’ve since become more common and perhaps opened the door to even more of us choosing unlikely names for our little ones.
If paying homage to Mother Nature is something you can get on board with, read on for over 110 nature-inspired baby names that are perfect for welcoming a little one.
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.
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.”
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