Nature Names for Boys

A name that's unusual in that changing the i to a y -- as in Byrd -- makes it more masculine.

Rice is really stretching the nature name boundary to its outer edges. But you may want to take it that far.

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.

Has the offbeat quality and macho feel -- like Stone and Flint -- that appeals to increasing numbers of modern parents.

One of the more unusual nature names, that of a variety of pine tree. Tam might sleeken and modernize it.

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").

Yes, Yew is a tree name, but it's similarity to "you" makes it a potentially problematic choice as a first name.

A vireo is a small green bird with a song as melodic as this highly unusual name, but it does sound a touch viral.

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

A tough and rugged nature name.

Strong and mighty nature name.

We suggest sticking to George or Jorge, due to the unfortunate definition of gorge: to eat greedily.

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.

Usain Bolt chose Lightning as the middle name for his daughter — Olympia Lightning Bolt. Mainstream parents have taken a liking to Lightning as a boy name — it debuted on the charts in 2021, and was given to five baby boys in 2022.

Hippie name of the Jonathan Livingston Seagull era.