Enchanting baby with red hair and blue dress sits in nature

Enchanting Nature Inspired Names for Babies

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. One of these names inspired by nature may feel just right, matching the awe and wonder you feel for your baby.

Gender Neutral Names from Nature

Mom holds up a baby wearing yellow outdoors
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Many names that have inspiration from the natural world are unisex – not necessarily associated strictly with girls or boys, and lovely for any baby. You might just fall in love with one of these enchanting names. 

River

A river winding through trees
Photo Credit: Jon Sullivan via Pixnio.com

River is a name that brings to mind both the power and free-flowing spirit of water. It represents a constant, adaptable, and peaceful presence. 

Ocean

Child running on beach in rainbow swimsuit
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The name Ocean is a tribute to the expansive and mysterious waters that cover our planet. It embodies depth, exploration, and a sense of vastness. 

Sage

Sage plants in nature
Photo Credit: Silvio Rossi, via Wikimedia Commons

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.

Briar

Briar rose
Alastair Rae from London, United Kingdom, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Briar invokes the image of tangled, thorny vines in the forest. It symbolizes resilience, protection, and the untamed beauty found in nature.

Oakley

Oak branches against the sky
Photo Credit: Anasuyas, via Wikimedia Commons

Derived from the mighty oak tree, Oakley symbolizes strength, endurance, and resilience. It’s a name that conveys a sense of grounding and stability.

Lux

adult hand h0olding babies hand with rainbow of light over them
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Meaning “light” in Latin, Lux is a name that signifies illumination, clarity, and the transformative power of nature’s radiance.

Nature Inspired Names for Baby Girls

Baby girl learning to walk with dad outside holding his hands
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Nature gives us names associated with both beauty and strength, qualities anyone would want for their baby.

Iris

rainbow in the sky
Photo Credit: Shutterstock

 Iris is a name that also made it onto our list of rainbow names because of its rainbow meaning. It’s a name that symbolizes hope, connection, and the beauty of nature’s palette.

Aurora

Child holds up sparkler towards camera
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Named after the stunning Northern and Southern Lights, Aurora signifies the wonder and magic of the natural world. It represents light and enchantment.

Violet

baby wrapped in a rainbow blanket asleep
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Violet, a name derived from the flower, represents modesty, humility, and the delicate beauty found in nature’s simplicity.

Elowen

Elm Tree against a blue sky
Photo Credit: Marty Aligata, via Wikimedia Commons

Elowen is a name of Cornish origin, meaning “elm tree.” It celebrates the strength, growth, and interconnectedness found in the natural world.

Isla 

Mom holding cute baby with islands and the beauty of nature surrounding them
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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

Cassia Tree flower
Photo Credit: Dinesh Valke from Thane, India, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Keziah is a name inspired by the aromatic cassia tree. It signifies fragrance, healing, and a deep connection to the earth’s resources.

Boy Names With Inspiration from Nature

Child walking with rainbow umbrells
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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.

Cosmo

Gorgeous stars over the silhouette of a mountain with a faint glimmer of a lake
Photo Credit: 4burakfe, via Wikimedia Commons

Cosmo, meaning “order” or “beauty” in Greek, reflects the harmony and grandeur of the cosmos. It symbolizes the vastness of the universe.

Luca

Baby boy in a field of lavender
Photo Credit: Shutterstock

Luca is a name inspired by “light” in Italian. It symbolizes clarity, illumination, and the guiding presence of nature’s brilliance.

Cedar

Cedar Trees against a foggy sky
Photo Credit: © Vyacheslav Argenberg, via Wikimedia Commons

Cedar is a name inspired by the sturdy and aromatic cedar tree. It embodies strength, wisdom, and a sense of protection.

Orson

Baby with bear hat on sits in front of a tree
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Orson, meaning “bear cub,” celebrates the strength, courage, and wild spirit of the bear, a powerful symbol in many cultures.

Zev

Toddler with wolf hat on stands in front of trees
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Zev is a name of Hebrew origin, meaning “wolf.” It symbolizes independence, instinct, and the primal connection to the natural world.

Zephyr

dad standing in field holds child on shoulders
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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.

Rainbow Names for Babies

Pregnant belly with rainbow painted on it
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These names are full of the colors and joy associated with that beautiful arc of color across the sky, the rainbow after the storm.

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Toddler looks at moms pregnant belly with a slightly perplexed look on his face
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Birthday cake has candles spelling out happy birthday lit on top
Photo Credit: Alissa Zorn

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About the Author

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Alissa is a resilience coach, cartoonist, and advocate for ‘connection, not perfection’. She’s dedicated to helping others find a sense of safety and belonging inside themselves so they can heal, connect, and build authentic, joyful lives.