Names That Mean Nature

Nimbus is a new nature name that works for either gender and manages to be both familiar and unique. An evocative and daring nature name for the future.

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

Jessenia and Yesenia are drawn from the Spanish name for a South American tree, making them new nature names.

This name has two distinctive associations: the Southwestern natural formation of a gully or stream, and the Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Bronson Arroyo.

For any parents out there searching for a nature name starting with x -- and we doubt there are many -- this one, named for a Spanish monk called Ximenes, is a small tropical plant bearing wild limes.

A handsome nature name – and an intriguing alternative to Willow – that is also found as a rare English surname.

Unusual and simple nature name worthy of further consideration.

In Thailand, pawpaw, or paw paw, is the name for the papaya plant and flowers. It's been seen on the US charts for baby girls since 2008, never exceeding 30 uses in a single year.

In Turkey, as in many countries around the world, word names are on the rise. Doğa is among the most popular for baby girls.

Hebrew name not often heard in this country, but would have no trouble fitting in.

Projects the sleek and playful image of the aquatic mammal, plus that of the striking British-born Brazilian/Nigerian/Afro-Caribbean singer (born Sealhenry).

Highly unusual water name -- and actor Colin surname -- with a Scottish burr. Firth derives from the Old Norse word fjord.

A unisex French name that ranks in the Top 200 for boys and the Top 500 for girls there, inspired by a character with the surname Swann in Marcel Proust's In Search of Lost Time. As a given name, it was popularized by the 1984 film Un amour de Swann ("Swann in Love"), directed by Volker Schlöndorff.

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.

Highly unusual water name -- and actor Colin surname -- with a Scottish burr. Firth derives from the Old Norse word fjord.

One of the more unusual nature names, Maize is given to a dozen or so boys and girls each year and is almost completely unisex in terms of usage. Disclaimer: potential for "corny" jokes.

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

A Hybrid Tea Rose is a popular garden rose, developed to produce a single flower per stem. Tearose is a rare but whimsical compound that could perhaps be used as a middle for the daughter of a florist or gardener.

Shell has been used as a short form of Shelley for all genders and Sheldon for boys. That was then: Now, Shell can be a beachy nature name and word name turned baby name.

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.