Names That Mean Earth

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

Rock definitely has a macho image, if a somewhat caricatured one, ala The Rock. But with the rise of word names and also of tough guy names, Rock feels more plausible than it did a generation ago.

Out-of-the-ordinary gemstone name derived from lapis lazuli, which is said to enhance awareness and intellect, impart ancient wisdom and cure many ailments, making it an interesting possibility for a blue-eyed girl. Lazuli — or Azure or Blue — are other options.

Also known as green beryl, Heliodor is the name of a sun-kissed colored gemstone. The name is reminiscent of other -dor names such as Theodore, Esidore, Isidor, Landor, Salvador etc.

Connotes a strong, solid character.

Though it's French, most Americans would pronounce it as the stone.

Used by the Puritans but off the US charts completely since the mid-1990s, Eartha is best known today as the name of American singer Eartha Kitt, as well as of the philanthropist and humanitarian Eartha M. M. White.

Apt choice for an architect's child, honoring German-born Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, a central figure in modern design, and universally referred to as Mies.

Nope, not a misspelling of Sexton or a number name. This Old Norse name is actually a name denoting victory and in the Swedish Top 100..

Damek, which you might think of as Adam with a Slavic accent, considerably freshens up the original.

Rarely heard as a name; Chiara might be preferable.

Mirela is a name used in Romania and Croatia and is related to popular Mira.

Shades of Thurston Howell, the effete millionaire castaway on Gilligan's Island.

Earthier version of the name of England's first female professional writer, Aphra Behn.

A feminization of Adam with several sweet nickname options — Addie, Ada, Minnie, or Mina being a few.

This Hindu goddess name is very popular in India. The goddess of love, fertility and devotion, representing female force, Parvati is the wife of Shiva and the mother of Ganesh. There is a Harry Potter character named Parvati Patil, a twin sister of Padma..

This ancient saint's name was borne by the infamous midcentury playboy, Porfirio Rubirosa.

A daisy-esque flower, although chamomile is much more commonly associated with the tea that's made from it.

Place-name waiting to be discovered.