Nature Baby Names
Juniper
The name Juniper, inspired by the Juniper tree, gets its name from the Latin, Juniperus. The word juniperus itself is derived from two words, junio, meaning young, and parere, meaning to produce. Hence, youth producing, or evergreen. The name Juniper, therefore, represents youthfulness and life.
Elowen
The name Elowen is derived from the Cornish word for elm tree. It is also used as a name in the Cornish tale of Princess Elowen, a girl that was turned into a bramble bush (don’t worry there’s a happy ending to the tale!). This name is wonderful for those looking for something elegant but strong and uncommon.
Fern
Fern is derived from the anglo-saxon word, fearn, meaning feather. The name gained popularity in the 1800s and remains a classic floral name to this day. The fern plant represents different characteristics for different cultures, for example, in Victorian England they symbolised humility and sincerity whilst the silver fern represents strength and enduring power to Māori.
Alder
There are two origins of the name Alder, one is derived from the German word for old, ‘Alter’, and the other is inspired by the Alder tree. Alder trees were used to create most of the pilings that now hold up the city of Venice, and they have also used to craft electric guitars since the 1950s.
Emerald
The stunning gemstone, Emerald, is the inspiration for this striking name. The Emerald is also the birthstone for May, a subtle nod to anyone you would like to honour who’s birthday falls in this month, including the baby themselves if this is the case! The gemstone is also associated with Ireland, or the Emerald Isle.
Poppy
The name poppy is derived from the flower with many symbolisms, the red poppy, or papaver rhoeas in Latin. Most know the poppy as a flower of remembrance, gaining this symbolism from the poem, “In Flanders Fields.” The Poppy is also known within Christianity as a symbol of rebirth.
Oleander
The Latin name of the evergreen plant, Nerium Oleander, is derived from the Greek for water, for the environment in which the plant generally thrives, and olive, for its resemblance to the olive tree’s branches. This rare gender-neutral name is a beautiful nod to Ancient Greece.
Birdie
This sweet name is a diminutive of the English word, bird. Birdie was a popular girls name between 1800 and 1940, and has recently begun popular usage once again. This name is perfect for anyone who wants to give their child a classic, yet modern name.
Zephyr
The name Zephyr comes from the European tradition meaning a light, gentle breeze. This tradition originates with Zephyrus, the Greek god of the West Wind; the most gentle and favourable of the several Greek wind gods. Zephyrus, and therefore Zephyr, is associated with flowers and springtime.
Oriel
Oriel is a name inspired by the beautiful, bright Orioles birds, as well as the Latin word, Aureolus, meaning gilded and gold. Either of these origins inspire thoughts of the beauty of the natural world, making a wonderful gender-neutral nature-inspired name.
Katniss
Whilst this name might have gained popularity since the release of The Hunger Games series, the Sagittaria sagittifolia plant, also known as Katniss, has been around for much longer. This perennial water plant has been a reliable source of food for thousands of years. Katniss, therefore, is a strong name whether inspired by the ‘mockingjay’, or the humble roots.