Strength, beauty, meditative simplicity, and providence — all these wonderful qualities can be associated with baby names that mean earth, land, or nature. Honoring nature through the choice of a child’s name is a practice that dates back to ancient cultures, many of whom regarded the land and the natural world with great reverence.
Choosing a nature-based name opens up a world of possibilities for any gender, and just about all the world’s cultures have words and names centric to the earth and nature, so your choices are many!
Let’s take a peek, shall we?
Male baby names
- River – This down-to-earth moniker represents the water-filled arteries of the earth.
- Themistocles – Themistocles is an ancient Greek name that means “law of nature.”
- Terran – This rare name stems from the Latin word for “earth.”
- Daichi – The charming Japanese given name translates to “great earth.”
- Rangi – Rangi is the name of the Maori god of the sky.
- Oland – This English name is derived from the Swedish word for “island.” Ollie would make an excellent nickname.
- Chulsa – In Cambodia, this name means “sea” or “ocean.”
- Cliff – A cliff is an intense rock or earth slope. This nature-inspired name will take your baby to new heights.
- Seldon – The name Seldon means “from the willow valley.”
- Lando – This name is derived from the German word for “land.”
- Bolland – Bolland is an Ancient Germanic name that means “of the land.”
- Adalland – This Ancient Germanic name means “noble land.”
- Field – Field is another fun topographical name. A field is a parcel of land that is free from trees and other large plants.
- Naseem – This Arabic name translates to “breeze” or “wind.”
- Hollis – Hollis is an Old English word for “holly tree.”
- Cephas – Cephas is a rare Greek name meaning “rock.”
- Geo – Geo is a Greek prefix meaning “earth.”
- Dune – Dunes are broad, flat areas of desert. This name also means “brown soldier.”
- Heled – This biblical name means “the world.”
- Poseidon – Poseidon is the Greek god of the sea and earthquakes. He is often depicted with a trident and chariot.
- Myrsky – The Finnish name means “sky.”
- Reed – Reeds are tall, grass-like plants that grow in and around wetlands and marshes.
- Cabrakan – This enchanting earth name comes to us from the Mayan god of mountains and earthquakes. Cabrakan was respected and feared by the people of this ancient Mexican civilization.
- Basil – This annual herb has a truly earthy aroma and flavor.
- Vale – The rare English surname means “one who is from the valley.”
- Guntur – In Indonesia, this name means “thunder.”
- Heath – Heath is an Old English word for an uncleared parcel of land.
- Erysichthon – Erysichthon is an ancient Greek name meaning “earth tearer.” Possible nicknames range from Earl to Ery.
- Zephyr – Zephyr comes from the Latin word for “west wind.” This name is perfectly fitting for one who goes with the flow.
- Mellan – This nature-inspired Gaelic name means “lightning.”
- Thelonious – The Latin variation of Tillman was made famous by jazz musician Thelonious Monk. This earth-related name can be shortened to Theo.
- Aviguy – The masculine Hebrew name means “my father is from the valley.”
Female baby names
- Themis – Themis is a feminine alternative to Themistocles. Both names mean “law of nature” or “divine law.”
- Celeste – The popular female name refers to all that orbits the night sky.
- Petra – The exotic Greek moniker means “rock.”
- Burkney – This rare Icelandic name refers to “the common fern of coastal flat land.”
- Misty – Mist is something of a light fog. It is often associated with meadowland and the ocean.
- Maple – Maple is a divine tree-inspired name.
- Acadia – Acadia is a French female name that means “idyllic place.” It is also the name of a popular national park outside of Bar Harbor, Maine.
- Petunia – Harry Potter fans might know this as the name of Harry’s less-than-idyllic aunt. Petunias flowers are members of the nightshade family.
- Eartha – Eartha is an Old English girl’s name. Its last known period of popularity dates back to the 17th century.
- Estelle – Estelle is the Latin word for “star.”
- Dimmey – This playful Icelandic name comes from the Old Norse words for “darkness” and “island.”
- Willow – Willow is a nature-inspired name that is derived from the willow tree.
- Papa – With Papa as a common alternative for the word dad, this feminine Maori name might cause some confusion with English speakers. It stems from the moniker Papatuanuku. She is recognized as the goddess of the earth.
- Terra – Terra is a derivative of the Latin word for “earth.”
- Tierra – Tierra is the Spanish word for “earth.”
- Damia – Damia means “earth mother” in Latin. She was the Greek goddess of fertile earth and harvest.
- Crystal – This vivacious name refers to a special kind of rock or glass.
- Silvia – Silvia is a French given name that means “spirit of the woods.”
- Adama – Adama is Herbrew for “earth.” This name demonstrates its bearer’s deep connection to nature.
- Nevada – This state’s name is derived from the Latin word for “snowfall.”
- Autochthe – In Greek mythology, Autochthe is a princess. Her name is derived from the Greek words for “self” and “earth.”
- Pearl – These sought-after marvels develop inside the shell of mollusks. Pearl is an old-school moniker that fits into current baby name trends.
- Auxesia – This incredible name comes to us from Greek mythology. Auxesia was the goddess of spring growth. She is a reminder of the earth’s fertility.
- Clover – These plentiful green plants are often woven into grass beds. Their vibrant green color makes them almost indistinguishable.
- Posie – Posies are small, delicate flowers. This old-school floral name is surprisingly unpopular.
- Neva – Neva is a feminine first name that is derived from the Latin word for “snow.”
- Rose – These flowering perennials have come to symbolize love, romance, and prosperity. It is an excellent pick for parents who are after a traditional English name with natural inspiration.
- Magnolia – This flowering tree was named after French botanist Pierre Magnol. Magnolia opens the door for plenty of fruitful nicknames, including Maggie, Nola, and Nolie.
- Brook – A brook is a small stream. This earthy name was popular in the 1990s.
- Laurel – Here is yet another lovely plant name for a down-to-earth babe.
- Star – The heavens are just as much a part of this earth as the ground below us. Star is a space-inspired name that reminds us of our place in the universe.
- Birdie – Actress Busy Philipps gave her child this playful animal moniker.
- Juniper – This well-known evergreen tree bears health-giving berries.
- Bahari – Bahari is a unisex Swahili name that means “ocean.”
- Aquinnah – Aquinnah is a Wampanoag name that means “land under the hill.” It is also the name of a quaint fishing village on the island of Martha’s Vineyard in Massachusetts.
- Ma – In Sumerian mythology, Ma is the mother of the mountain.
- Mesa – The Spanish word for a natural plateau is an excellent name for a nature-loving little one.
- Sahira– This rare Muslim name means “moonlight.”
- Bada – In Korea, this unisex name means “sea.”
Unisex baby names
- Ash – Ash is a type of tree as well as a byproduct of fire. This sensational nature name is perfect for baby boys and girls alike.
- Clay – We have no trouble sinking our hands around this earth-inspired moniker.
- Savannah – Savannah is Spanish for “treeless plain.” It can also refer to the coastal city of Savannah, Georgia.
- Gil – The unisex French name means both “promise” and “small goat.”
- Ocean – This incredible gender-neutral name manages to encompass all that is the sea.
- Ira – Ira is a unisex Sanskrit name that means “wind.”
- Rain – Rain is a sweet and simple gender-neutral name that signifies the end of the water cycle.
- Barrow – Barrow comes from the Old English word “bearo.” It means grove.
- Birch – This name is derived from that of the birch tree.
- Eben – The unisex baby name means “stone.”
- Hadley – Bring your little one closer to nature with this name meaning “heather field.”
- Sahira – Sahira is an Egyptian name that means “exalted earth.”
- Corentin – The unisex Breton name means “hurricane.”
- Emek – The unisex Hebrew name means “valley.”
- Dion – In ancient Greece, this name meant “child of heaven and earth.”