The most fun and most intimidating parts of welcoming a new baby are the massive decisions that have to be made seemingly every single month of pregnancy. Picking a baby name is one of the hardest decisions to make during pregnancy. It’s an important job, and it can be a challenge to know to trust your instincts. There’s no one-size-fits-all rule book to follow when making choices for your future child, and that holds true when it comes to choosing a name for your baby.
It’s a big decision – yes, but it’s also a chance to really think about the meaning behind baby names. What makes a name popular? Is a popular name something that’s desired or is more unique better? What’s too unique?
For parents who like to have meaning behind the names they give their baby, looking to nature is a great place to start. There are so many beautiful boy names inspired by Mother Nature to choose from.
Take a look through these nature-inspired baby boy names and you may just find the perfect name you’ve been looking for.
Forrest
Popularity rank in the US: #470
Meaning: Of the woods or forest
This timeless title evokes images of dense, cool woodlands teeming with life. Derived from Latin, Forrest has been the name of well-known fictional characters, athletes and movie directors.
Sage
Popularity rank in the US: #442
Meaning: Wise
Sage is a smart choice for little green thumbs of either gender. Derived from Latin, Sage is also a popular herb with a spicy scent, long thought to bring about long life. It’s a sweet name that’s not too popular but not too out there, either.
Craig
Popularity rank in the US: #1248
Meaning: Rock; Crag
This bold moniker is taken from the Gaelic language. Craig remains a strong choice among parents because it’s in that sweet spot for a unique name that’s not confusing. Try Craige or Kraig if you prefer non-traditional spellings.
Timothy
Popularity rank in the US: #193
Meaning: Honoring God
Although this classic name is Greek in origin, it is also the name of a species of grass native to most parts of Europe. Timothy remains a popular choice today for little boys and it’s one of those great names that sound good at every age, which isn’t every name.
Reed
Popularity rank in the US: #450
Meaning: Reed; Red-haired
Ever-unique, the name Reed has risen in popularity almost 130 places since 2000 and is derived from the Anglo-Saxon language. The name has taken a slight dip in the last several years, but it’s still a perfect name choice. Or try Reid or Reide for a new slant on an old favorite.
Clay
Popularity rank in the US: #644
Meaning: Mortal
A humble title meaning, Clay is derived from the Teutonic language. It may not be the most common name, but it remains a stable choice for parents. Clay can be a shortened version of the English “Clayton,” meaning “from Clay Town,” it’s one of those names that work well as a nickname or a legal name.
Dale
Popularity rank in the US: #1349
Meaning: Broad valley
This English-derived name suits either boys or girls and was traditionally given to those living in or near a valley. Today, Dale is a classic name that will suit your young explorer no matter his elevation.
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River
Popularity rank in the US: #129
Meaning: River
A Latin name with the straightforward translation, the popularity of the name River may be a result of various pop culture icons bearing that title. It’s a little bit hippie, and a whole lot cute — and definitely on the rise.
Dusty
Popularity rank in the US: #3056
Meaning: Valiant fighter
Dusty is an adorably earthy choice for your new addition. While it is the shortened version of the Teutonic name “Dustin,” this playful yet masculine title is the name of several notable musicians and athletes.
Leaf
Popularity rank in the US: # 11309
Meaning: Inspired by the plant leaf
There are a few different ways to spell this baby boy name – either the traditional way we spell the plant version of leaf, or parents can go with the Scandinavian version, spelled, Leif, which surprisingly means “heir.”
Koi
Popularity rank in the US: # 2692
Meaning: Carp; Panther
Most of us know the word Koi as in the fish, but it’s been growing in popularity for a baby name, too. It’s nature inspired since it’s named after the Koi fish, but it also holds the meaning “panther” which is a dual nature-inspiration point.
Jay
Popularity rank in the US: # 382
Meaning: Jaybird
With the name Jay being a shorter one, it’s surprising that it’s been around for a while since the shorter names tend to have a more modern feel to them. This name is inspired by the word “jaybird”, which is also a name but more commonly used to describe “one who talks incessantly.”
Jasper
Popularity rank in the US: #138
Meaning: Treasurer
As a baby name, Jasper means “treasurer”, but it’s also the name of a gemstone that’s used for healing properties. The jasper stone is a type of quartz and it’s usually red, yellow, brown or green in color, and sometimes blue.
Fisher
Popularity rank in the US: #908
Meaning: Someone who fishes
It’s probably easy to guess where the name Fisher gets its inspiratoin from, and that’s why it’s such a good choice for parents who wants something that stands out and is inspired by nature. The name’s not too popular in the US so baby will stand out from the pack … or school?
Dune
Popularity rank in the US: unranked
Meaning: Warrior
When we hear the name Dune, we probably think of sand dunes first, or Mad Max, which checks out, too. The name means “warrior” so for any parents who want a strong name that holds a lot of power within it, Dune is an interesting choice that will get noticed.
Brooks
Popularity rank in the US: #91
Meaning: A stream, a small creek
For the parents who love water and have feelings and inspiration to pull from, Brooks is an ideal baby boy name. The name is in the top 100 names in the United States and it sounds powerful with a touch of whimsey to go with it.
Bear
Popularity rank in the US: #897
Meaning: Inspired by the animal known for strength
When we think of the animial, a bear is both scary but cuddly, too. There aren’t a lot of animals that can bring that dual feeling along with it. And that’s what makes it such a great name for a boy. Bear is in the top 1000 baby names in the US and honors strength.
Asher
Popularity rank in the US: #32
Meaning: Happy, fortunate, blessed
Asher‘s popularity has been soaring over the recent years and it’s sitting happily in the 32nd spot in the US. The name has been around for a long time and it’s meaning certainly makes it a favorite for parents who are looking for positive meanings.
Alder
Popularity rank in the US: # 1753
Meaning: Derived from the elements ald “old” or adal “noble”
Inspired by the strong alder tree, this baby boy name isn’t popular but it shouldn’t be overlooked either. This name holds a very strong meaning and is inspired by nature’s power.
Lake
Popularity rank in the US: # 1883
Meaning: Derived from lakes
It’s no surprise where this name gets the inspiration from, but that doesn’t make it any less special. Lake isn’t a popular name for any gender, but it’s not completely unheard of either. It’s a beautiful option for parents who hold special meaning to a lake or bodies of water in general.
