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Animal Names for Babies

  1. Mariposa

    • Origin:

      Spanish

    • Meaning:

      "butterfly"

    • Description:

      Mariposa is a rare, romantic choice with an intriguing meaning.
  2. Bina

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Sabina and other -ina names, Yiddish or Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "bee or understanding"

    • Description:

      Sources say that Bina, which is close to the word for bee in Yiddish, was once used as a translation for the Hebrew Deborah, which means bee. On its own, it also means "understanding" in Hebrew. Simple and sweet in itself, it could also be short for (or a nod to) many names including Sabina, Robina, Columbina, and Jacobina.
  3. Inali

    • Origin:

      Cherokee

    • Meaning:

      "black fox"

    • Description:

      One of a handful of Cherokee names meaning "black fox," along with Enoli and Inola.
  4. Bindi

    • Origin:

      Australian Aboriginal

    • Meaning:

      "butterfly"

    • Description:

      In the Noongar language of Western Australia, Bindi means butterfly. Bindi is usually seen as a girls' name, as seen in Bindi Irwin, daughter of the late Steve Irwin.
  5. Peta

    • Origin:

      Native American, Blackfoot,or Greek, "golden eagle, or rock, stone"

    • Meaning:

      "golden eagle, or rock, stone"

    • Description:

      Too tightly tied to the acronym for the activist group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals.
  6. Merope

    • Origin:

      Greek

    • Meaning:

      "bee-eater bird"

    • Description:

      This obscure name from Greek mythology (Merope was one of the Pleiades) is better known from J.K.Rowling's Harry Potter series, as the name of Tom Riddle's ill-fated mother.
  7. Zvi

    • Origin:

      Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "deer"

    • Description:

      An alternative transcription of Tzvi, the latter of which is a Top 100 pick in Israel. It's a cool, sharp-sounding micro name which would make for a great distinctive alternative to Levi.
  8. Herschel

    • Description:

      Herschel is a masculine name of Yiddish origin, derived from 'Hirsch' meaning 'deer' or 'stag,' symbolizing gentleness and swiftness. It was traditionally used as a diminutive of the Hebrew name Tzvi, which carries the same meaning. The name gained recognition through notable bearers like astronomer Sir William Herschel, who discovered Uranus, and various Jewish scholars and rabbis throughout history. While popular among Jewish communities in the early 20th century, Herschel has become less common in recent decades. However, it retains a dignified, intellectual quality that appeals to those drawn to traditional or family-honoring names. Its distinctive sound and rich cultural heritage give it a unique character among contemporary name choices.

  9. Hershel

    • Origin:

      Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "deer"

    • Description:

      Gentle meaning and bona fide Hebrew history, but feels old-mannish, like Herman and Menashe.
  10. Koko

    • Origin:

      Japanese, Native American

    • Meaning:

      "stork; night"

    • Description:

      A funkier version of Coco that may be more appealing if you have Japanese or Native American heritage. Koko comes from the Blackfoot tribe, native to what is now Montana and Alberta, Canada.
  11. Cat

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Catherine, Greek

    • Meaning:

      "pure"

    • Description:

      May be the most modern, stylish Catherine nickname: more unusual than Kate or Cate, with an animal and word name edge. Cat Power is a trendy folksinger.
  12. Rosamond

    • Origin:

      German

    • Meaning:

      "horse protection"

    • Description:

      The kind of serious old-school name that sounds appealing again; perfect for the intrepid baby namer. More commonly spelled Rosamund but highly unusual these days in either version, with fewer than 20 baby girls named Rosamund in the US last year while Rosamond didn't even register with five.
  13. Ayala

    • Origin:

      Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "doe, gazelle"

    • Description:

      This animal-themed name is among the most popular for girls in contemporary Israel. Parents who want to move beyond the mega-popular Aliyah and sisters might want to consider Ayala. The male form is Ayal.
  14. Ryuko

    • Origin:

      Japanese

    • Meaning:

      "dragon child"

    • Description:

      Strong Japanese unisex choice. Dragons are a symbol of power in Japan.
  15. Baylor

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "horse trainer"

    • Description:

      Baylor is a possible occupational alternative to the tired Taylor, especially for a horse lover.
  16. Crawford

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "ford where crows gather"

    • Description:

      A common surname in Scotland, but a starchy first name choice.
  17. Elvet

    • Origin:

      Old English, place name

    • Meaning:

      "swan stream, swan river, swan island"

    • Description:

      This Old English name feels as if it could have stepped out of a fantasy novel, but it may be just similar enough to Everett and Elliot that it could work in the real world. Derived from the elements elfitu meaning "swan" and either ēa meaning "stream, river" or ēg meaning "island", it is a nature related option name, given to an area in the city of Durham in England.
  18. Beowulf

    • Origin:

      Old English

    • Meaning:

      "bee wolf"

    • Description:

      This ancient name is that of the hero of the epic Beowulf, which is thought to be the oldest-ever poem in English lit written in the vernacular. J. R. R. Tolkien used the poem as one of his inspirations for The Lord of the Rings.
  19. Madigan

    • Origin:

      Irish

    • Meaning:

      "little dog"

    • Description:

      An unusual, energetic surname choice that would make a good Madison alternative. Madigan was a typical police detective series of the 1970s, starring Richard Widmark.
  20. Doe

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "a female deer"

    • Description:

      Doe is a soft and gentle-eyed middle name possibility and, like Fawn, one of the few animal names open to girls.

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