Names That Mean Nature

Wintergreen is an antiquated form of the term "evergreen" that today is commonly associated with the mint-like flavoring found in toothpaste, chewing gum, and American root beer (yes, really). It's never been documented as a baby name, but considering Winter is so common these days, it's certainly within the realm of possibility.

The term "wintergreen" historically referred to plants that remain green through the winter, for which we use the word "evergreen" today. Gaultheria wintergreens, shrubs, contain the oil used to make wintergreen mint flavoring, used in chewing gum, toothpaste, and even root beer.

Seagrass plays an important role in the aquatic ecosystem. They are the only plants that can flower underwater and provide food and shelter to many organisms. Seagrasses also improve water quality, slowing down pollution, and help prevent coastal erosion. Those passionate about marine conservation may find Seagrass a meaningful name — probably as a middle, unless you're particularly brave.

The name of a river that flows through Texas into the Gulf of Mexico is given to a dozen or so baby boys and a handful of girls each year. The name derives from Spanish río de los Brazos de Dios ("river of the Arms of God").

An order of carnivorous insects, most notably dragonflies and damselflies.

The Layke spelling of this refreshing nature name was introduced for one of the Waldrop sextuplets, Layke Bryars, who is male, but the name is gender neutral.

Fragrant herb often used for cooking, but scarcely as a name.

Briar is a rising nature name for both girls and boys and Bryars is a spin introduced as the middle name of one of the Waldrop sextuplets, Layke Bryars, who happens to be a boy. But the name works just as well for girls.

Hippie name of the Jonathan Livingston Seagull era.

While Hill reads as a nickname for Hillary, adding an S puts it in the same category as plural nature names like Rivers and Brooks. It also softens the name's image: one hill is an obstacle, but many together form a lovely landscape. Hills are also a recurring image and metaphor in both the New and Old Testament.

Layke is one of the names of the Waldrop sextuplets: Layke Bryars. Though this Layke happens to be a boy, the nature name works equally well for girls.

A unisex French name that ranks in the Top 200 for boys and the Top 500 for girls there, inspired by a character with the surname Swann in Marcel Proust's In Search of Lost Time. As a given name, it was popularized by the 1984 film Un amour de Swann ("Swann in Love"), directed by Volker Schlöndorff.

Briar is a rising unique unisex name and Bryars is a spin introduced as the middle name of one of the Waldrop sextuplets, Layke Bryars, who happens to be a boy. But the name works just as well for girls.

As nature names get more popular, parents look to undiscovered nature words and terms that can be turned into baby names. Rice is certainly undiscovered, but may not make the transition from word to baby name as smoothly as, say, River.

Soft and creative update of Marsha.

An order of carnivorous insects, most notably dragonflies and damselflies.

A common name for the plumeria flower, named after the 16th-century Marquis Muzio Frangipani of the Italian noble family. He invented a perfume using the flower.

Seagrasses are aquatic plants — the only flowering plants that grow underwater. They often exist in seagrass beds or meadows — rich ecosystems that house and feed organisms as well as protect against erosion and pollution. For lovers of the ocean and the environment, Seagrass could make a meaningful middle name.

The name of a river that flows through Texas into the Gulf of Mexico is given to a dozen or so baby boys and a handful of girls each year. The name derives from Spanish río de los Brazos de Dios ("river of the Arms of God").