Do you get abnormally excited just at the thought of enjoying the great outdoors? Would you rather spend time outside than in front of a computer, television, or phone? Do you consider yourself a nature lover?
Well, then why not showcase that passion with nature names for your next child!
Certain nature names – like River, Skye, Summer, Bear, Rose, Pearl, and Ivy – are becoming more and more popular as parents around the world search for the perfect baby name for their little adventurer.
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But what makes nature names so popular today?
Nature names draw from the earth’s natural beauty, encompassing everything from the vast, mysterious oceans and majestic mountain ranges to the simple beauty of a field of wildflowers or a clear night sky.
Believe it or not, they’ve been utilized by a wide range of cultures throughout Earth’s history.
For example, both Native American and Aboriginal Australian cultures often use nature names to help signify qualities they wish to bestow upon their children and to honor the natural elements and/or wildlife.
50 of Our Favorite Nature Names Inspired by the Great Outdoors
In an era where our connection to nature is often overshadowed by digital dominance, nature names are literally and figuratively a breath of fresh air – helping your child stand out in this modern world we live in.
They’re unique, they sound elegant, and they bring your baby closer to mother nature.
From flora and fauna to celestial bodies and earthly landscapes, these names are as diverse as nature itself – and are perfect for your little one to carry as they grow and explore the world in all of its splendor.
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With that said, we’re about to detail 50 of our all-time favorite nature names for your baby boy or girl!
50. River
Origin: English
Meaning: Derived from the natural flowing body of water; symbolizes calmness, flow, and the journey of life.
Famous People: River Phoenix (American actor and musician), River Viiperi (Spanish model), River Rose Blackstock (Kelly Clarkson’s daughter), River Robertson (reality TV star), River Allen (English professional footballer)
49. Lily
Origin: English
Meaning: Derived from the flower name, which symbolizes purity and innocence.
Famous People: Lily Collins (English-American actress), Lily Tomlin (American actress and comedian), Lily James (English actress), Lily Allen (English singer and songwriter), Lily Rabe (American actress)
48. Sunny
Origin: Englsih
Meaning: Cheerful, bright, and sunny; often associated with a bright disposition.
Famous People: Sunny Anderson (American chef and TV personality), Sunny Deol (Indian actor and filmmaker), Sunny Leone (Canadian-born Indian actress), Sunny Hostin (American lawyer)
47. Sky
Origin: English
Meaning: Refers to the sky; symbolizes vastness, freedom, and the heavens.
Famous People: Sky Ferreira (American singer and songwriter), Sky Brown (British-Japanese professional skateboarder and surfer), Sky du Mont (German actor), Sky Dayton (Americna entrepreneur), Sky Flaherty (Americn actor)
46. Ocean
Origin: English
Meaning: Refers to the vast body of saltwater; symbolizes depth, mystery, and strength.
Famous People: Ocean Ramsey (American marine biologist), Ocean Maturo (American child actor), Ocean Bloom (Canadian fitness model), Ocean Park Standoff (American music group), Ocean Yang (Chinese singer)
45. Autumn
Origin: Latin
Meaning: Refers to the fall season; symbolizes maturity and change.
Famous People: Autumn Reeser (American actress), Autumn de Wilde (America photographer), Autumn Phillips (Canadian management consultant), Autumn Ajirotutu (American reality TV personality), Autumn Snyder (daughter of Zack Snyder)
44. Everest
Origin: English
Meaning: Named after Mount Everest, the highest peak in the world; symbolizes achievement and endurance.
Famous People: George Everest (British surveyor and geographer), Everest Hobson Lucas (daughter of George Lucas), Everest Schmidt (character in the TV series ‘The Magicians’)
43. Pearl
Origin: Latin
Meaning: Refers to the precious gemstone formed in oysters; symbolizes purity and rarity.
Famous People: Pearl S. Buck (American writer), Pearl Jam (iconic American rock band), Peral Bailey (American actress and singer), Pearl Thusi (South African actress, model, and TV presenter), Pearl Mackie (Biritish actress)
42. Rain
Origin: English
Meaning: Refers to the natural precipitation; symbolizes renewal and life.
Famous People: Rain (Jung Ji-hoon, South Korean singer), Rain Dove (American model), Rain Pryor (American actress and comedian), Rain Phoenix (American actress and singer), Rain Brown (Reality TV star)
41. Wolf
Origin: Germanic
Meaning: Refers to the wild animal; symbolizes strength, leadership, and freedom.
Famous People: Wolf Blitzer (American journalist and CNN anchor), Wolf Hoffmann (German guitarist), Wolf Kahn (German-born American painter), Wolf Biermann (German singer-songwriter), Wolf Alice (British alternative rock band)
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40. Sterling
Origin: English
Meaning: Derived from the Old English word “steorra” meaning star, it signifies high quality, often associated with sterling silver.
Famous People: Sterling K. Brown (American actor), Sterling Hayden (American actor), Sterlin Knight (American actor and singer), Sterling Sharpe (American former NFL player), Sterling Morrison (American guitarist)
39. Lake
Origin: English
Meaning: Refers to a large body of water surrounded by land; symbolizes tranquility and depth.
Famous People: Lake Bell (American actress), Lake Speed (American retired stock car racing driver), Lake Underwood (American racing driver), Lake Forest (city namesake in California)
38. Brook
Origin: English
Meaning: Refers to a small stream of water; symbolizes clarity and gentleness.
Famous People: Brooke Shields (American actress and model), Brooke Burke (American TV personality), Brooke Henderson (Canadian professional golfer), Brooke Mueller (American actress and real estate investor), Brooke Adams (American actress)
37. Rose
Origin: Latin
Meaning: Derived from the flower name; symbolizes love and beauty.
Famous People: Rose Byrne (Australian actress), Rose McGowan (American actress), Rose Leslie (Scottish actress), Rose Kennedy (matriarch of the Kennedy family), Roseanne Barr (American comedian and actress)
36. Ivy
Origin: English
Meaning: Derived from the climbing plant; symbolizes fidelity and eternity.
Famous People: Ivy Queen (Puerto Rican singer and songwriter), Ivy Baker Priest (American politician and Treasurer of the US), Ivy Levan (American singer, songwriter, and actress), Ivy Compton-Burnett (British novelist), Ivy Nicholson (American modell and actress)
35. Jade
Origin: Spanish
Meaning: Named after the precious green gemstone; symbolizes wisdom, balance, and peace.
Famous People: Jade Thirlwall (British singer), Jade Jagger (British jewelry designer and daughter of Mick Jagger), Jade Carey (American artistic gymnast), Jade Groody (British reality TV personality), Jade Pettyjohn (American actress)
34. Willow
Origin: English
Meaning: Derived from the willow tree; symbolizes flexibility and resilience.
Famous People: Willow Smith (American singer and actress, daughter of Will Smith), Willow Shields (American actress), Willow Palin (daughter of Sarah Palin), Willow Bay (American journalist, editor, and former model), Willow Sage Hart (daughter of Pink and Carey Hart)
33. Storm
Origin: English
Meaning: Refers to a violent weather phenomenon; symbolizes power and intensity.
Famous People: Storm Reid (American actress), Storm Large (American singer and songwriter), Storm Keating (Australian fashion designer), Storm Sanders (Australian professional tennis player), Storm Huntley (Scottish TV presenter)
32. Poppy
Origin: Latin
Meaning: Derived from the flower; symbolizes remembrance and consolation.
Famous People: Poppy (Moriah Pereira, American singer and songwriter), Poppy Delevingne (British model and socialite), Poppy Montgomery (Australian-American actress), Poppy Harlow (American journalist and CNN anchor), Poppy Drayton (British actress)
31. Daisy
Origin: Old English
Meaning: Derived from the flower name, which means “day’s eye” due to its tendency to open during the day and close at night; symbolizes purity and innocence.
Famous People: Daisy Ridley (English actress), Daisy Fuentes (Cuban-American TV host), Daisy Lowe (British fashion model), Daisy Edger-Jones (English actress), Daisy Shah (Indian actress and dancer)
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30. Orion
Origin: Greek
Meaning: Named after a giant hunter in Greek mythology, also a prominent constellation; symbolizes strength and adventure.
Famous People: Orion Samuelson (American broadcaster), Orion Weiss (American classical pianist), Orion Clemens (Older brother of Mark Twain), Orion Ben (British actress), Orion Lee (actor from Star Wars)
29. Bear
Origin: English
Meaning: Refers to the large mammal; symbolizes strength, courage, and protection.
Famous People: Bear Grylls (British adventurer), Bear McCreary (American composer), Bear Rinehart (lead singer of the American rock band Needtobreathe), Bear Blaze Winslet (son of Kate Winslet), Bear Blu Jarecki (son of Alicia Silverstone)
28. Clementine
Origin: Latin
Meaning: Derived from the Latin word “clemens” meaning gentle or merciful; also refers to the citrus fruit.
Famous People: Clementine Churchill (wife of Winston Churchill), Clementine Ford (Australian writer and feminist), Clementine Kruczynski (character in ‘Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind’), Clementine Poidatz (French actress), Clementine Stoney (Australian swimmer and former Olympian)
27. Savannah
Origin: Spanish
Meaning: Refers to a large, flat grassland; symbolizes openness and natural beauty.
Famous People: Savannah Guthrie (American journalist for NBC), Savannah Chrisley (American reality TV star), Savannah James (wife of LeBron James), Savannah Clarke (Australian singer), Savannah Smith (American actress)
26. Sierra
Origin: Spanish
Meaning: Refers to a mountain range; symbolizes strength and majesty.
Famous People: Sierra Boggess (American actress and singer), Sierra McCormick (American actress), Sierra Hull (American bluegrass singer-songwriter), Sierra Capri (American actress), Sierra Deaton (American singer)
25. Sage
Origin: Latin
Meaning: Refers to the herb, as well as a wise person; symbolizes wisdom and healing.
Famous People: Sage Kotsenburg (American snowboarder), Sage Stallone (American actor and son of Sylvester Stallone), Sage Steele (American TV anchor for ESPN), Sage the Gemini (American rapper), Sage Erickson (American professional surfer)
24. Aspen
Origin: English
Meaning: Derived from the aspen tree, known for its quivering leaves; symbolizes resilience and community.
Famous People: Aspen Matis (American author), Aspen Ladd (American mixed martial artist), Aspen Vincent (American actress and singer), Aspen Moon (Social media personality)
23. Rowan
Origin: Gaelic
Meaning: Refers to the rowan tree, which is associated with protection and enchantment; symbolizes strength and resilience.
Famous People: Rowan Atkinson (British actor and comedian), Rowan Blanchard (American actress), Rowan Williams (former Archbishop of Canterbury), Rowan Ricardo Phillips (American poet and author), Rowan Cheshire (British freestyle skier)
22. Olive
Origin: Latin
Meaning: Derived from the olive tree; symbolizes peace and prosperity.
Famous People: Olive Oyl (fictional character from ‘Popeye’), Olive Thomas (American silent film actress), Olive Schreiner (South African author and feminist), Olive Ann Burns (American author), Olive Borden (American silent film actress)
21. Jasmine
Origin: Persian
Meaning: Derived from the flower; symbolizes elegance and grace.
Famous People: Jasmine Tookes (American model), Jasmine Guy (American actress, singer, and dancer), Jasmine Thompson (British singer and songwriter), Jasmine Sanders (American model), Princess Jasmine (fictional character from Disney’s ‘Aladdin’)
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20. Wren
Origin: English
Meaning: Refers to the small songbird; symbolizes freedom and creativity.
Famous People: Wren Blair (Canadian ice hockey coach), Wren T. Brown (American actor and producer), Wren Barnes (American actress), Christopher Wren (English architect), Wren Keasler (Granddaughter of Bruce Lee)
19. Juniper
Origin: Latin
Meaning: Comes from the word ‘juniperus,’ which refers to the juniper tree and its berries.
Famous People: Juniper Shuey (American visual artist), Juniper Sage (pen name of Margaret Wise Brown), Juniper (friar, early follower of Saint Francis of Assisi)
18. Sol
Origin: Latin
Meaning: Means “sun” in Spanish; symbolizes warmth and energy.
Famous People: Sol Campbell (English former professional footballer), Sol LeWitt (American artist), Sol Hurok (Russian American impresario), Sol Rosenberg (character from ‘The Jerky Boys’), Sol C. Siegel (American film producer)
17. Luna
Origin: Latin
Meaning: Means “moon” in Latin; symbolizes intuition and femininity.
Famous People: Luna Lovegood (fictional character from ‘Harry Potter’ series), Luna (Park Sun-young, South Korean singer and actress), Luna Vachon (American professional wrestler), Luna Schweiger (German actress), Luna Blaise (American actress and singer)
16. Clay
Origin: English
Meaning: Refers to the natural earthy material; symbolizes creativity and transformation.
Famous People: Clay Aiken (American singer), Clay Matthews III (American football linebacker), Clay Walker (American country music singer), Clay Buchholz (American professional baseball pitcher), Clay Jensen (fictional character from ‘13 Reasons Why’)
15. Blaze
Origin: Latin
Meaning: Derived from the Latin word “blaze,” meaning fire; symbolizes passion and intensity.
Famous People: Blaze Berdahl (American actress and singer), Blaze Bayley (British singer), Blaze Riorden (American professional lacrosse player), Blaze Alexander (American professional baseball player)
14. Canyon
Origin: Spanish
Meaning: Refers to a deep gorge or ravine; symbolizes grandeur and depth.
Famous People: Canyon Barry (American professional basketball player), Canyon Mansfield (notable for surviving cyanide trap), Canyon Jerard (fictional character in ‘Red Dead Redemption 2’), Canyon King (character in various Westerns and novels), Canyon River Blues (fashion line)
13. Journey
Origin: English
Meaning: Refers to a trip or voyage; symbolizes adventure and personal growth.
Famous People: Journey River Green (son of Megan Fox and Brian Austin Green), Journey Smollett (American actress), Journey Brown (American football running back), Journey Gunderson (Executive Director of the National Comedy Center), Journey Jay (notable child actor)
12. Ridge
Origin: English
Meaning: Refers to a long, narrow elevated landform; symbolizes strength and elevation.
Famous People: Ridge Forrester (fictional character in ‘The Bold and the Beautiful’), Ridge Canipe (American actor), Ridge Fulcher (professional extreme sport athlete), Ridge Santiago (character in various fictional works), Ridge Rock (notable location)
11. Tide
Origin: English
Meaning: Refers to the periodic rise and fall of sea levels; symbolizes change and rhythm.
Famous People: n/a
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10. Cliff
Origin: English
Meaning: Refers to a steep rock face; symbolizes strength and stability.
Famous People: Cliff Richard (British singer), Cliff Curtist (New Zealand actor), Cliff Burton (American musician), Cliff Robertson (American actor), Cliff Lee (American former professional baseball pitcher)
9. Ember
Origin: English
Meaning: Refers to a small, glowing piece of coal or wood; symbolizes warmth and passion.
Famous People: Ember Moon (ring name for Adrienne Reese), Ember Swift (Canadian musician and songwriter), Ember Josephine (social media personality)
8. Vega
Origin: Arabic
Meaning: Refers to the brightest star in the constellation Lyra; symbolizes brilliance and inspiration.
Famous People: Suzanne Vega (American singer and songwriter), Vega Tamotia (Indian actress and producer), Vega (character in ‘Street Fighter’)
7. Nova
Origin: Latin
Meaning: Refers to a star showing a sudden increase in brightness; symbolizes newness and brilliance.
Famous People: Nova Peris (Australian athlete and politician), Nova Pilbeam (British actress), Nova Miller (Swedish singer and songwriter), Nova (superhero from Marvel Comics), Nova Rockafeller (Canadian rapper and singer)
6. Hawk
Origin: English
Meaning: Refers to the bird of prey; symbolizes keen vision and independence.
Famous People: Tony Hawk (American professional skateboarder), Ethan Hawke (American actor and writer), Hawk Koch (American film producer), A.J. Hawk (former American football linebacker), Hawk Wolinski (American musician and songwriter)
5. Raven
Origin: Old English
Meaning: Refers to the large black bird; symbolizes mystery and intelligence.
Famous People: Raven Symone (American actress and singer), Raven Goodwin (American actress), Raven Klaasen (South African professional tennis player), Raven Wilkinson (American ballet dancer), Raven Gates (reality TV star)
4. Magnolia
Origin: Latin
Meaning: Named after the flower; symbolizes dignity and nobility.
Famous People: Magnolia Crawford (stage name of American drag performer), Magnolia Breeland (character from ‘Hart of Dixie’), Magnolia Shorty (American rapper)
3. Apple
Origin: English
Meaning: Refers to the fruit; symbolizes knowledge and temptation.
Famous People: Apple Martin (daughter of Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin), Fiona Apple (American singer-songwriter), Apple Gabriel (Jamaican reggae musician), Apple Hong (Singaporean actress and singer)
2. Birdie
Origin: English
Meaning: Diminutive form of bird; symbolizes freedom and lightness.
Famous People: Birdie Joe Danielson (daughter of WWE superstars Brie Bella and Daniel Bryan), Birdie Tebbetts (American MLB player), Birdie Amsterdam (first female justice of the New York Supreme Court), Birdie Draper (American stunt pilot), Birdie Leigh Silverstein (daughter of Busy Philipps)
1. Forrest
Origin: English
Meaning: Refers to a large area covered chiefly with trees and undergrowth; symbolizes nature and resilience.
Famous People: Forrest Gump (fictional character from novel and film by the same name), Forrest Whitaker (American actor), Forrest Tucker (American actor), Forrest Mars (American businessman), Forrest Griffin (American mixed martial artist and former UFC fighter)
Celebrities Are Hopping On the ‘Nature Names’ Trend, Too!
Over the past few decades, we’ve seen a number of celebrities opt for nature names when naming their children – just look at Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin, who named their first child Apple Blythe in 2004.
And we can’t forget about Pink and Carey Hart, who welcomed a daughter named Willow Sage in 2011.
Other celebrity babies that were given nature names include: Summer Rain (Christina Aguilera), River Rose (Kelly Clarkson), Journey River (Megan Fox), Forrest Bradley (Jessie James Decker), Birdie Mae (Jessica Simpson), Bear Blaze (Kate Winslet), Sterling Skye (Patrick Mahomes), and Blue Ivy (Beyoncé).
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If you end up going with a nature-inspired name, then hopefully the list above helps give you a few ideas. And if not, then we have plenty more where that comes from – so check out our blog for more ideas!