Looking for nature-inspired baby names?
Whether you want a middle name, first name or both that takes inspiration from nature and the natural world around us, you are going to find hundreds of gorgeous ideas here.
There’s such a huge variety of inspiration you can take from the natural world when it comes to baby names.
Nature baby names may include names that are earthy or inspired by the elements. They might be connected to flowers, plants, the forest, the ocean or animals.
Many of the most popular baby names chosen by thousands of parents every year have a connection to nature, because these names tend to evoke positive feelings in us.
For example, the name Rose is a popular choice for middle names – as well as first names – because it is after one of the most popular flowers. We associate it with beauty and elegance.
Baby names inspired by nature can be beautiful, powerful and whimsical. They are connected to things in the world around us, such as places of natural beauty, so it’s no wonder parents may choose a nature name for their baby.
Baby girl names inspired by nature
Let’s start with some names for girls! These are connected to everything in the natural world – trees, shrubs, animals, the ocean, precious stones and more.
Arbor
A unisex name meaning tree.
Ariel
This name may make you think of the Disney classic The Little Mermaid. But it means “lion of God”. Perfect if you want a religious name that also has a little connection to one of nature’s most powerful animals.
Amaryllis
Meaning fresh or sparkling. Amaryllis is also a flower.
Amaranth
From the Greek word meaning “unfading”. This is also the name of a flower.
Anemone
Meaning “daughter of the wind”.
Anise
Meaning spice.
Apple
Named after one of the most well-loved fruits! Apple is the name of Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin’s daughter.
Ara
Meaning “brings rain”
Aurora
Meaning “dawn”. Aurora was also the Roman goddess of sunrise.
Autumn
After the season. This is a gorgeous, whimsical baby name.
Aveline
Meaning “island” or “water”. This name also means “desired”.
Ayla
Meaning “halo of light around the moon”.
Azalea
Meaning “dry”.
Bellatrix
A star in the Orion constellation. The name also means “female warrior”.
Blossom
Meaning “flower like”.
Birdie
Meaning “bright” or “little bird.
Bloom
Meaning “a blossom”.
Bluebell
A bluebell is a beautiful flower commonly found in the UK.
Breeze
Meaning a light or gentle wind.
Buttercup
A name of English origin after the yellow wildflower.
Calla
This is the name of a lily but it also means beautiful.
Callisto
One of the moons of Jupiter is named Callisto. It also means “most beautiful”.
Camellia
An exotic flower.
Caraway
An edible plant used in cooking. Can also be used as a boy’s name.
Carmel
Meaning “garden orchard”.
Cascade
Meaning “waterfall”.
Cassia
Meaning “cinnamon”.
Clove
A clove is a type of spice. The name also means “nail”.
Clover
An English meadow flower. The name also means “key”.
Celestia
Meaning “heavenly”.
Coral
In the ocean coral is the vibrant sea growth that has made places such as the Great Barrier Reef in Australia famous.
Cordelia
Meaning “heart” or “daughter of the sea”.
Cressida
Meaning “gold”.
Dahlia
Meaning “flowering branch” in Hebrew or a type of flower.
Daisy
A beautiful floral name after the simple but pretty flower, often found with white petals and a yellow centre.
Daphne
Meaning “laurel tree” or “bay tree”.
Dawn
Meaning the first appearance of light, or “daybreak”.
Delphine
Meaning “dolphin” in French.
Delta
Meaning “mouth of the river”.
Dove
The dove is a white bird that symbolises hope.
Ember
Meaning “spark”. Embers are what you get when a fire is low, and glowing rather than flaming.
Evanthe
Meaning “good flower”.
Evora
Meaning “yew tree”.
Dauna
A rare name meaning “world” or earth.
Faye
Meaning “fairy”, this is a lovely choice if you want a combination of a nature name with something a little mystical and magical.
Fern
After the green, leafy plant.
Fiadh
(fee-a)
Meaning wild.
Fleur
Meaning “flower’.
Flora
Meaning “flower”. Flora is the name of the Roman goddess for spring.
Florentina
Meaning “blooming”.
Gaia
Meaning “the earth”.
Grace
Meaning “beauty” and “joy”.
Guinevere
Meaning “white shadow” or “white wave”.
Hazel
Taken from the hazelnut tree. Hazel is also a colour.
Harbor
Meaning harbor (or harbour as it is spelt in the UK), or a safe body of water. This is a unisex baby name.
Heather
The name is after the flowering evergreen plant, that is often purple or pink.
Holly
The name comes from the plant of the same name.
Indigo
A unisex name referring to the indigo shade of blue.
Ione
The name means “violet’ which is also a flower.
Iris
Meaning “rainbow”.
Isle
Meaning “island”.
Ivy
The name is inspired by the evergreen climbing plant.
Izara
Meaning “section of tree”.
Jacinda
Meaning “beautiful”.
Jasmine
The name is after a flowering plant with exotic, fragrant flowers.
Lark
Meaning “songbird”.
Laurel
Meaning “laurel plant”.
Larissa
Meaning “cheerful”. In Greek mythology Larissa was a lover of the Greek God Poseidon. It also means “citadel”.
Lava
From the red-hot molten rock that comes from volcanoes.
Lavender
After the purple flowers.
Leaf
After the leaves on a tree. Leif is also the Scandinavian word for “heir”.
Lilac
After the bluish-purple colour.
Liliana
Meaning “lily” or “pure”.
Lily
After the flower but also meaning “pure” or “rebirth”.
Maize
Meaning “corn”.
Manuka
After the tree which produces Manuka honey. Can be a boy or girl’s name.
Maple
After the maple tree.
Marguerite
Meaning “pearl”.
Marina
Meaning “from the sea”.
Marissa
Meaning “of the sea”.
Marlowe
Meaning “driftwood”.
Meadow
A field of grass and wildflowers.
Merrill
Meaning “sparkling sea”.
Misty
Meaning “mist”.
Moana
Meaning “ocean”. The name has also been made famous by the Disney movie of the same name.
Mira
Meaning “ocean” or “peace”.
Nairne
Meaning “river with alder trees”.
Neri
Meaning “burning light” or “ocean spirit”.
Neva
Meaning “snow”.
Nori
Meaning “seaweed”.
Nova
Nova refers to a star that suddenly bursts with energy. It also means “new”.
Oceana
Meaning “ocean”.
Love a name inspired by the sea? Check out these names meaning water and these mythical names inspired by the ocean.
Oleana
Meaning “moon” or “light”.
Olive
After the olive tree. It also refers to a shade of green.
Olivia
Meaning “olive” or “olive tree”.
Orchid
After the orchid flower. Orchids symbolise love and beauty.
Pearl
A pretty and feminine name after the precious beads you find in mollusks in the sea.
Peony
After the flower.
Pepper
After the spice.
Petal
After the petals of a flower but also meaning “leaf”.
Petunia
After the flower.
Poppy
After the bright, red flower.
Portia
From the Latin word meaning “pig”. A beautiful and feminine name.
Posey (Posy)
Meaning a bunch of flowers.
Primrose
Meaning “first rose”.
Quill
A pen made from a feather.
Rain
A unisex name inspired by the weather.
Ren
Can be used for boys or girls. Meaning “water lily” or “lotus”.
Romy
Meaning “dew of the sea”.
Rosa
Meaning rose.
Rosalie
Meaning rose.
Rosamund
Derived from the words for “horse” and “protection”.
Rose
After the flower of the same name.
Rosemary
After the herb but also meaning “dew of the sea”.
Rue
Meaning “herb” or “regret”.
Sable
Meaning “black”.
Saffron
Meaning “yellow flower”.
Sage
After the herb. Also means “wise”.
Senna
Meaning “brightness”.
Sierra
The Spanish word for mountain range.
Sky
After the sky and also meaning “cloud”. Can be used for boys and girls.
Snow
The name means “pure” and “fresh”.
Sparrow
After the small bird.
Spring
After the season. Also means “to bloom”.
Sunny
Meaning “sunshine” or “happy”.
Summer
After the season.
Star
Perfect if you want a celestial baby name.
Stormi
Meaning “stormy”.
Sylvie
Meaning “forest”.
Tarragon
After the herb.
Tempest
Meaning “turbulent” or “stormy”.
Titania
A lead character in the Shakespeare play A Midsummer Night’s Dream. The name means “great one” or “giant”.
Tigerlily
A combination of tiger and lily making a strong and beautiful name. Also a character in Peter Pan.
Topaz
After the precious gem. It is said to have healing properties and bring luck.
Turquoise
After the colour, which is an aqua blue shade. It also means “Turkish stone”.
Valley
Meaning between the mountains.
Venus
After the planet, but Venus was also the goddess of love and beauty in Greek mythology.
Violet
Meaning purple and also after the flowers.
Viola
Meaning “violet” or “purple”.
Willow
After the willow tree.
Wisteria
Meaning “Wister’s flower”. The wisteria flower is. a symbol of devotion.
Wren
Meaning small bird.
Yasmin
Meaning “jasmine flower”.
Yvette
Meaning “yew tree”.
Zaria
Meaning rose.
Baby boy names inspired by nature
Now for some cool boy names inspired by nature. Some of these work for girls as well!
Ash
Meaning ash tree or happy.
Ashton
Meaning ash tree town.
Aspen
Taken from the name of the aspen tree. Also a place in Colorado in the US.
August
A month of the year but also meaning “great”. Could be shortened to Gus.
Basil
From the herb of the same name. Also means “brave”, “fearless” and “intrepid”.
Bay
Meaning “berry” and also a type of tree.
Beach
If you’re looking for an unusual nature and ocean inspired name then Beach is a great choice.
Bear
Meaning “strong” and “brave”.
Birch
After the tree.
Bramble
Meaning “blackberry shrub”.
Briar
Meaning “thorny bush of wild roses” or “shrub”. Can also be used as a girl’s name.
Clay
Perfect if you want an earthy baby name. Could also be used as Clayton.
Coast
A sweet one-syllable name connected to the ocean.
Cobalt
A deep blue colour.
Cotton
After the cotton plant.
Cloud
A unisex baby name that’s perfect if you want to take inspiration from the sky and weather.
Eagle
After the bird.
Eilon
Meaning oak tree.
Ellery
Meaning “alder tree”.
Elwood
Meaning “old, noble woods”.
Everest
Everest is the tallest mountain in the world, so this is a mighty name for a little baby.
Fen
Meaning “peace”, but can also mean “fragrance”.
Fennel
After the plant or herb of the same name.
Finn or Finlay
Taking inspiration from the fins of fish. Also means “fair”.
Fisher
Meaning “fisherman”.
Flint
Meaning “stream”. It is also a form of rock.
Forrest
Meaning “woods”.
Fraser
Meaning “of the forest men”.
Frost
Meaning “freezing”.
Florian
Meaning “blooming” or “flowering”.
Granite
After the rock. Perfect if you are looking for a strong name inspired by the earth.
Grover
Meaning “grove of trees”.
Hawk
After the bird of prey.
Hurley
Meaning “sea tide”.
Ignacio
Meaning fire.
Jaguar
After the big cat.
Jet
Referring to the colour jet black.
Jupiter
After the planet and can also be a girl’s name.
Kestrel
After the majestic bird of prey.
Linden
Meaning “linden tree hill”.
Lir
Lir was the Irish god of the sea in mythology.
Lupin
Meaning “wolf”.
Lynx
Meaning “brightness”. A lynx is also a type of wildcat.
Marino
Meaning “of the sea”.
Marsh
Word used to describe a wetland.
Mars
After the planet, so a good choice if you want a celestial baby name.
Mason
Meaning “one who works with stone”.
Mercury
After the chemical element. Mercury was also the Roman messenger god.
Merlin
Meaning “sea fortress”.
Morgan
Meaning “sea”.
Murphy
Meaning “sea warrior”. A great choice if you like surnames as first names.
Nash
Meaning “by the ash tree”.
Neptune
After the god of the sea.
Oberon
Meaning “noble” or “noble bear”.
Ocean
Can be used as a boy or girl’s name.
Onyx
After the precious gem. Onyx is also a deep black colour.
Pacific
After the Pacific Ocean but the word also means “tranquil”.
Phoenix
After the mythic bird that symbolised rebirth and also meaning “dark red”.
Pine
After the pine tree.
Quill
A feather that is used as a pen.
Rafferty
Meaning “flood tide”.
Reed
After the tall grass which often grows on wetland.
Reef
Perfect if you are looking for a laidback, surfer type name.
Rhodes
Meaning “where roses grow”.
River
A beautiful name for a boy that has grown in popularity in recent years but remains a rarely used baby name.
Roan
A term used to describe the colour of a horse where they have an even mixture of different coloured fur.
Rocky
Meaning “rest”.
Rowan
After the rowan tree.
Slate
A type of rock and also a shade of grey.
Storm
A powerful boy’s name meaning “tempest”.
Stone
A great choice if you want a one syllable and strong name.
Thorn
Meaning “thorn bush”.
Tiberius
Meaning “of the Tiber” which is a river that runs through Rome.
Tide
A beautiful choice if a you want an ocean themed name.
Timber
Great if you want a name inspired by the woods.
Vine
A unisex name referring to climbing plants.
Wade
Meaning “river ford”.
West
A powerful choice if you love the idea of a geographical name.
Wilder
Meaning hunter.
Wolf
A rare and unusual baby boy name after the wild breed of dog.
Zuma
Meaning “peace”.
What are earthy names?
An earthy name could be any type of name connected to nature. But you could get more specific.
You may want a name that’s connected to Planet Earth, such as names that literally mean earth or stone.
An earthy name could also be after a place of natural beauty, such as Everest.
What names mean nature?
Names that mean nature are any word that’s connected to earth, space and the natural world around us.
Flowers, plants, the sea, rocks, gems, seasons, weather and animals are just some of the areas of nature that you can take inspiration from for your baby’s name!
The wonderful thing about nature baby names is you can get really creative with them, which is great if you’re looking for an unusual baby name.
However nature baby names aren’t all totally “out there” if that’s not your thing. Many are already on the popular baby name lists, and some are actually really traditional.
