Nature Names for Girls

Nature names are often associated with Spring and Summer, but Glacier is ideal for a winter baby.

Chrysalis is a girls' baby name derived from the state of a butterfly or moth between larva and adult. A chrysalis is a hard-shelled pupa in which the transition of the butterfly or moth takes place. As a baby name, Chrysalis came to the fore as the rumored name of the baby girl of Kylie Jenner and Travis Scott, who reportedly love butterflies. Chrysalis does certainly have potential as a new word name or nature name for babies, with the simple familiar nickname Chrys.

An edible plant used in seed and spice form.

An evergreen with yellow flowers, Ambretta works to modernize Amber.

The Issoria is a genus of butterflies found in Africa, one of which is known as the African Queen. This name would make a wonderful choice for those looking for a name which subtly honors Africa.

A red spice made from dried bell peppers.

As a name, notable bearers include Danish actress Paprika Steen (born Kirsteen), and Paprika from the children's TV show Blue's Clues

We once dismissed Bird as "too flighty", but with the rise of avian names from Lark to Robin to, well, Birdie, we don't see why Bird can't be a fine choice, especially as a middle name.

The Old Norse and modern Norwegian word name Fjord, which refers to a passage in the sea, could work for children of both genders.

The Norwegian word for "honeysuckle" could make for a fresh and vibrant nature-inspired choice.

This name comes from a very rare species of butterfly, making it a nice choice for those seeking a name that suggests nature, rarity and fragility.

A slow and sultry southern choice that's definitely cool for babies of either gender. While the word feels French and has its roots in 18th century French Louisiana, it derives from the Choctaw word bayuk, which means "small stream."

Brooke variation – or is the other way around? – that makes it more a nature name, less an eighties-style androgynous name.

Until now, most girls called Shell used it as a nickname for Shelley or Michelle. Today's Shell is much more likely to be a nature name, cool and beachy, fit for all genders.

Despite being connected to a type of butterfly, Siphone is a name that has some elements that make it unlikely to become popular, such as containing the words siphon and iPhone. One name best left to the butterflies.

Even among the range of blue names on the current baby naming palette -- Blue itself, Azure, Cerulean, Teal, Aqua, Cyan, Indigo -- Cobalt remains the most unusual.

Leaf is a hippieish choice that, for girls, still retains an evergreen quality.

A fresh nature name — Bluet is a dainty, low-growing plant with small, light blue flowers — that feels like a mix of jazzy word-name Blue and trendy surname Truett.

Deriving from the name of an Australian butterfly, Eliena is also a name seen in the Bible.

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.

Just the kind of vintage nickname (think Hattie, Josie, Mamie, Millie) that's coming back into style in a big way. Actress Busy Phillips named her little girl Birdie.