Boy Names Inspired by Nature
- Lake
Origin:
Nature nameDescription:
Evocative modern unisex choice brought into the spotlight by actress Lake Bell.
- Land
Origin:
Word name or diminutive of LandonMeaning:
"long hill"Description:
One of the simplest, most down-to-earth yet evocative of the word names, which could work — especially as a middle.
- Leaf
Origin:
Nature nameDescription:
The nature boy version of the Scandinavian Leif, which actually means "heir". In the creative-naming Phoenix family, Leaf is the former name of the actor we know as Joaquin.
- Linden
Origin:
Variation of LyndonMeaning:
"linden tree hill"Description:
The graceful, natural image of the verdant shade tree transcends any connection with President Johnson.
- Lion
- Loch
Origin:
Scottish GaelicMeaning:
"lake"Description:
Loch is a watery word that sounds more like a name because it's one step removed from its English form. Pronounced as "lock," it's also a short form of the variously-spelled Lachlan.
- Lynx
Origin:
Animal nameDescription:
One of the fierce new animal names new to name lists, helped by its strong x-ending.
- Mango
Origin:
Fruit nameDescription:
Mango might be cute as a short form of a related name like Manuel, or for a pet name. But we're not feeling it as a full baby name for a child of any gender.
- Marsh
Origin:
English nature nameDescription:
Soft and mellifluous nature-surname name, situated miles away from the dated Marshall.
- Meteor
Origin:
Word nameDescription:
A beyond-bold shooting-star name choice, sure to raise some relatives' eyebrows.
- Moor
- Moss
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"descendant of Moses"Description:
This evocative green nature name, heard much more frequently as a surname, is associated with playwright Moss Hart (born Robert), who co-wrote (with George S. Kaufman) such enduring Broadway comedies as The Man Who Came to Dinner and You Can't Take it With You.
- Oak
Origin:
English tree nameMeaning:
"tree from the genus Quercus"Description:
Oak, a symbol of solidity, strength, and longevity, is joining Cedar and Pine as a viable name, one that would work especially well in the middle.
- Ocean
Origin:
English, nature nameMeaning:
"ocean"Description:
Nature names like Ocean and River are flowing back into favor, especially with nature lovers and green-oriented parents.
- Onyx
Origin:
Gem nameDescription:
Unlike Pearl and Ruby, this is one gem name suited for boys, the final x making it sound strong and virile. Musician Iggy Azalea chose the name Onyx for her son.
- Oleander
- Oriole
- Pepper
Origin:
SanskritMeaning:
"berry"Description:
There's a football player called Pepper (born Thomas and given the childhood nickname for sprinkling pepper on his cereal) Johnson -- but this sounds more like the name of a cheerleader.
- Peregrine
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"traveler, pilgrim"Description:
Peregrine is considered to be an elegantly aristocratic name in England, but has never made it to the U.S., where it has been seen as extravagantly eccentric. In the new naming climate, though, it's not beyond consideration — in fact it's already been chosen by at least one Berry.
- Pike
Origin:
American animal nameMeaning:
"pike, a fish"Description:
The field of nature names is constantly expanding to include all species of flowers and trees and animals and birds and even fish. In addition to its appeal for anglers, Pike recalls Zebulon Pike, the explorer who discovered and gave his name to Pike's Peak.