30 Secret Nature Boy Names That Are Not Too Granola

Contemporary parents love nature-inspired baby names. They are the trendiest appellations of the moment and for good reason. Nature names evoke images of our gorgeous, natural world while also appealing as a celebration of what resources we still have left! However, not every parent wants to name their baby boy Bear, River, or Oak. Many new parents today are looking for nature boy names that are a bit subtler in their approach. If this describes you, you are in luck! There are so many nature boy names that you would never know are related to nature.

We have rounded up all of the best nature-inspired boy names that hide their nature-relatedness in their meanings. We have curated dozens of names for you to consider from around the world that hold meanings ranging from botanical to celestial. If you are looking for a subtle, not too hippyish appellations for your son, you have come to the right place! Discover the best name for him below!

Hollis

Hollis is a name of English origin that originated as a surname. As with many other surnames, it has always been considered among other gender-neutral names in its class. However, we prefer Hollis as a boy name. Hollis is a habitational name that means “from the Holly trees.” The name is considered a vintage pick today as it has been off the popularity charts since the 1970s. That means there are plenty of grandparents out there with this name. What’s old is new!

Adler

Adler made the US top 1000 list for the first time in 2020. So, it’s one of the emerging last names that can be used as a boy name that parents should go ahead and choose to get ahead of the trend. Adler comes from German and means “eagle.”

Silvanus

In Roman mythology, Silvanus is the god of forests, crops, farmers, and fields. Silvanus shares the same root with the female version of the name, Sylvia. Silvanus is the Latin form of the Hebrew name Silas. Silvanus has never been widely chosen as a baby name in the US but we think that could change with the way names in this genre are trending. Silvanus means “forest.”

Arthur

Arthur was a most distinguished baby name as the name was borne by the leader of the Knights of the Round Table. After slowly falling out of the top 100, Arthur reached its lowest point ever in the US in 2009 before new parents began using it once more. It’s now trending up! Arthur has Celtic origins that mean “bear.”

Zahur

The name Zahur is Egyptian and Arabic. It means “flower.” Zahur offers the coolness of other z-names but with a wonderful, soft meaning.

Sorrel

An edible herb with reddish-purple flowers, sorrels have a delicious name. Sorrel is a popular choice for girls in France, but we think it has the potential to crossover for boys. The name means “reddish.” It’s one of the flower names for boys we expect to take off in the next few years in America.

Ren

Japanese baby names are so fresh and make for excellent options for parents who want to think outside the box. Ren means “water lily” and it is currently trending. It is the perfect alternative to the bird name, Wren. We think this name is wonderful!

Garance

Garance is the vivid, deep burgundy color that comes from the madder flower and that has become a fashionable name for baby girls in France in recent years. While it’s virtually unknown in the US and other English-speaking countries, Garance makes an original choice in among the fashionable flower names for boys. Garance is technically a gender-neutral option and we hope American parents understand that!

Pietro

Pietro has gone virtually unused. But, it’s one of the most cherished boy names in Italy. The name is simply a form of Peter that means “rock.”

Conor

The meaning of the name Conor is contested. Many translate the name to mean “lover of hounds” but some argue it’s derived from the Irish word “coachuhhar” which means “high desire.” The Irish King, Conchobhar had a form of the name and according to legend was born the same day as Christ.

Nash

Nash is an English habitational boy name that means “from the ash tree.” Parents began to seriously use this name for their boys in the late 1990s and today, it’s more popular than ever before.

Beckett

Beckett only became one of the popular boy names in the US in 2006 and it has only increased its popularity since then. Beckett can be traced to two origins: Irish and English. The Irish form of the name means “little brook” and “bee cottage.” And, the English form means “bee hive.” How sweet are these meanings!?

Alan

Alan comes from an Old Breton word that means “deer.” The name was introduced into England, and thence to Scotland, from Brittany via the Normans. Alan was the name of a 9th-century king of Brittany and a 15th-century French saint.

Bjorn

The name of several early legendary kings of Sweden in the 9th and 10th centuries, Bjorn somehow sounds very modern while being extremely old. The name predates the German language as we know it and was found across the Nordic. There’s no one, clear meaning but most scholars settle on “bear.”

RELATED: 100+ Nature Baby Names for Parents Who Love the Planet

Ronan

Ronan is an extremely old name that means “little seal.” The name is of Irish origin. In total, there are twelve saints named Ronan and an ancient king of Leinster (Ireland) who also had the name. Journalist Ronan Farrow famously has this vintage name.

Hayes

Hayes is a remarkable boy name in that it’s one of America’s favored surnames to use a first. It was a huge hit at the end of the 19th century and it returned to acclaim about a decade ago only to see a meteoric rise. Hayes is an English habitational name that means “hedged area.”

Hideki

Thanks to Hideki Irabu and Hideki Matsui, two baseball players from the NY Yankees, many western ears have heard this attractive name. It means “excellence” or “bright tree.”

Delano

President Franklin Delano Roosevelt inspired a brief fashion for this as a first name in the 1940s, but it is rarely heard in the US today. Although it looks Italian, Delano is a French boy name meaning “from the forest of nut trees.”

Dylan

In Welsh mythology, Dylan was a legendary sea god who made all the waters of Britain and Ireland weep when he died. Dylan Thomas, a famous Welsh poet, was adopted by Bob Dylan in tribute. Dylan is a Welsh boy name and girl name that means “son of the sea.” The name has been in the US top 500 since 1972 and is now more popular than ever before.

Fabian

One of the boy names with the funniest meaning on this list is Fabian. The boy name comes from Latin and means “bean” or “bean grower.” It’s been a mildly popular choice in the US in recent years but it’s nowhere near as prevalent here as it is in France. There, it’s a hugely popular surname and given name.

Channing

A very common surname, Channing means “people of Cana” or “wolf cub.” The name comes from Irish Mac Cana. The Mac Cana clan originated as chiefs of Cenél Aengusa, the name of a kindred and its territory in Tír Eoghain.

Oscar

The boy name Oscar means “deer lover” or “friend of deer” which is just darling. It comes from the Gaelic words “os” which means deer and “cara” which means friend. Irish mythology characterizes Oscar as the son of Oisin, the poet.

Ephron

Ephron was the Old Testament son of Zohar who sold his field and dwelling to Abraham to use as a family burial ground. Ephron is also a Biblical place name, a mountain range that formed the northern border of the land of Judah. Ephron has such a beautiful ring to it and means “fawn-like.”

3.

2.

Armel

Armel is a Welsh baby name that means “bear prince.” Armel is also used in France, as it was the name of a 6th-century saint who went to Brittany and established abbeys. Armel has a gentle and familiar sound, making it easily used outside of Wales and France. However, very few American parents have discovered it.

Kir

Kir is a modern variation of the Persian name Cyrus which simply means “the sun.” You will also find this name in Russian, Albanian, and French traditions. In France, it is the name for a popular cocktail.

Cicero

A bold baby boy name that parents should definitely consider bringing back to life, Cicero was last popular in the US in 1910. It’s been 100 years so we think it is more than safe to revisit this one. Marcus Tullius Cicero was a Roman statesman, lawyer, scholar, and Academic Skeptic who played an important role in the politics of the late Roman Republic. This Latin name means “chickpea.” Chickpea!

Ivo

Ivo is a boy’s name of German, Irish, Dutch origin meaning “yew wood, archer.” While this boy name has never been popular in the US, it is currently a favorite in England and the Netherlands. The name has belonged to a few Medieval saints and noblemen. We would love for this handsome option to come to America.

Aeron

Pronounced EYE-ron, Aeron will most likely be confused with the more recognized Aaron. Aeron was possibly a minor Celtic god of war. As a Welsh baby name, this one means “berry.” Because of Aaron’s massive popularity in the US, you almost never encounter Aeron here.

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE: 100 Nature Names for Girls and Boys

Haran

Abraham’s older brother in the Old Testament, Haran enjoyed this elegant name. Haran has Hebrew origins and means “mountain.” This boy name would be a welcome alternative to Aaron or Ryan.

There you go! We hope you found these secret, nature boy names to be as excellent as we feel they are. If you want to discover even more nature names, keep reading because we have many more to share with you.

Discover the Perfect Unisex Baby Names Inspired by Nature Below:

25. Cypress

Like Juniper and Willow, Cypress is a wonderful tree-inspire nature name that is waiting for new parents to climb. This name is the perfect choice for lovers of trees and Cypress Hill. The name of the tree comes from a Greek myth about a boy who turned into a tree.

24. Jupiter

Despite being associated with the Roman father of all gods, the name Jupiter is much more common among baby girls than boys. We love this unisex nature baby name for both boys and girls. Jupiter was believed by the ancient Romans to assume the body of an eagle. The god was seen as a controller of lightning, thus an eagle holding a lightning bolt in its talons became a symbol for the god and Rome itself. Jupiter’s roots mean “sky father.”

23. Sage

Sage is a top 500 baby name in the US for both boys and girls today. We love that parents have adopted this name en masse since the 1990s. Sage is the name of a delicious herb and also a Latin term meaning “wise and knowing.” Ancient cultures from the Greeks to the Arabs believed that burning sage imparted wisdom and could lead to a very long life.

22. Cricket

Cricket is a delightful unisex nature baby name chosen by Busy Philipps for her daughter. Cricket works for both boys and girls and we would love to hear more of this chirping name. This quirky nickname has existed for a long time in American culture and we are pleased it has been adopted by parents as a proper given name. It’s a delight!

21. Elm

Elm is name to a tree, but it also has roots as a genuine baby name in German, Danish, and Norse traditions. The name is typically given to boys and often as a middle name meaning “red” and “brown.” Elm works perfectly for baby boys but we love it for baby girls as it fits in the names like Emily, Alma, and Ann.

20. Lake

It’s a mystery to us why Lake as given name has not landed in the US top 1000 most popular baby names in recent years. Lake is an established, English surname, but it also is very similar to the perennial favorite Blake. Like Blake, Lake is considered a unisex nature baby name that works well for both boys and girls. Get ahead of the trend when choosing this name, we expect it to be a hit in the next few years.

19. Rowan

Rowan is a top 500 name for both boys and girls today with the scale tipped, ever so slightly, in the boys’ favor. Rowan sounds exotic but the name comes from Scottish and Irish tradition as a unisex nature baby name that means “rowan tree” and “little redhead.” In Celtic tradition, the Rowan tree was seen as an actor for good, warding off witches and bad vibes.

18. Aspen

Aspen is a unisex nature baby name that has emerged as a new favorite among nature-loving parents and it might be the new Brooklyn in the next couple of years. Aspen is a top 500 baby name for girls today, but we expect that to be true for boys as well soon enough. Aspen is the name of a poplar tree with heart-shaped leaves that gave the cool ski town Aspen its name.

17. Oak

Oak trees have long been a symbol of solidarity and longevity. These beautiful trees also have an equally pleasant name in Oak. Oak works as a unisex nature baby name that’s somewhat blunt but also stately. Variants include Oakes and Oakley. This appellation also works perfectly as a middle name.

16. Sky

Sky is an attractive unisex nature baby name that goes to girls more often than boys these days. Even with the character Sky Masterson appearing in the Guys and Dolls musical of the 1950s, Sky has yet to take off for boys. Let’s change that, new parents! Sky refers to the heavens, yes, but its roots mean “scholar.”

15. Cedar

Cedar is yet another unisex nature baby name inspired by trees. Cedar is pushing boundaries today, discovered, but not completely established, Cedar could be the new Ash given time. Mentioned in the Bible, the Lebanon Cedar was used to build King Solomon’s temple in Jerusalem. That may or may not appeal to you but it’s why so many hospitals have Cedars in their names.

14. Ocean

If you’re looking for an appellation with depth, we urge you to consider Ocean. Ocean is a gorgeous unisex nature name that new parents are beginning to choose for its beautiful sound and powerful meaning. Oceane is a hot variation of this name in France as well as Oceanus. This name is sure to make a splash!

13. Arden

Literature lovers will recognize Arden as the name of a mystical forest in Shakespeare’s As You Like It. Beyond that association, Arden is an English unisex nature baby name that means “valley of the eagle.” This sleek and stylish name is popular for baby boys and girls today with the balance leaning towards boys at the moment.

12. River

As far as unisex nature baby names go, River is essentially the end all be all of names. It’s perfect for both boys and girls as it feels very cool and most fresh. The name is super popular today for all babies in the US and UK. Kelly Clarkson was the latest celebrity to choose this name for her daughter and we think you should follow.

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE: 25 Unisex Bohemian Baby Names for Free-Spirited New Parents

11. Wren

Another wildly popular unisex nature baby name today is Wren which has emerged as a particular favorite for baby girls. The Druids believed that wren birds were prophetic, even magical creatures. Wren has English origins and landed in the top 500 for girls last year in the US. We’d love to hear more boys with this name as well.

10. Harbor

Harbor is in a class of emerging unisex nature baby names that are beginning to be seen as possibilities. Harbor sounds fabulous and feels like gifting your child a safe haven in name form. Harbor has long been a common surname, so it could easily make the jump to given name territory.

9. Sunny

Sunny is going to more baby girls than boys today, but we think it’s a unisex nature baby name that works well for all babies. Sunny began as a nickname for a cheerful child and evolved into a given name possibility in the middle of the twentieth century. We are glad new parents are rediscovering this vintage charmer and applying today.

8. Bay

Like Harbor, Bay is another nautical nature baby name. However, Bay has a longer history as a baby name as it was used by the ancient Romans. In Latin, Bay means “berry,” a reference to the prized laurel bay tree used for medicinal and culinary purposes for centuries. Despite this appellations historical precedent, it has not taken off as an option for most American parents. We think that should definitely change!

7. Indigo

Indigo is a unisex nature baby name that is currently very popular in Australia and England but for some reason has yet to appeal as widely among American parents. Indigo has Greek origins meaning “Indian dye,” a reference to the treasured pigment used since antiquity to give clothes a vibrant bluish color.

6. Everest

Everest is the name of the world’s tallest peak, making it a scalable choice as a baby name today. Everest is the perfect unisex nature baby name for parents who never fear a challenge, and instead, live for adventure. The name has only just begun to emerge as an option for parents and we foresee this name climbing high in the years to come.

5. Timber

Timber is given to more baby girls than boys today likely as an alternative to the name Kimberly. Timber is a unisex nature baby name that evokes the imagery of large, statuesque trees. For boys, you could consider the name a cousin to Tim.

4. Vega

Vega is an Arabic baby name adopted by the Romans. It was given to the brightest star in the Northern Constellation. Vega is currently an extremely trendy name for baby girls in Spain today but it has been largely undiscovered elsewhere. Vega means “landing eagle.” This unisex nature baby name sounds zesty enough for your little star.

3. Zenith

We got the word Zenith by accident. Medieval European scholars poorly translated an Arabic term as “direction of the head” and thus, Zenith was born. Zenith is considered a word name referring to the atmosphere and peak point above you. The name works well for boys as an alternative of Kenneth and both boys and girls would love to be called the nickname Zen.

2. Lynx

Lynx combines a few qualities of names trending today for new parents. This is a unisex nature baby name but it also happens to have an attractive X-ending which parents can’t seem to get enough of today. Lynx is one of the fiercest new animal names to emerge in recent years and we expect this one to catch fire soon enough.

RELATED: 25 Unisex Surnames That Work as Given Names for Both Boys and Girls

1. Rue

There you go! We hope these unisex nature baby names sound like a breath of fresh air to you. Each one of these names is infinitely versatile making them perfect for parents looking for something that fits with everything. Nature is such a divine source of inspiration and we urge you to look to the great outdoors to inform your baby name decision. Happy baby name hunting!