Rare nature names have blossomed in recent years, especially for baby girls. Flower names such as Lily and Violet share the spotlight in the Top 100 with other nature-inspired names such as Autumn, Ruby, and Hazel.

　　But one of the most exciting thing about nature names is how wide and deep they run. There are so many categories, from flowers to trees to gems to water to earth to sky to weather and animals, that thousands of names qualify as nature-inspired. There are nature names that come out and say what they mean, such as Coral and Cloud, and then there are those whose relationship to nature is hidden. And of course many of all those types of nature names are highly unusual.

　　Today we look at 12 unique — sometimes literally — and uncommon nature names for girls.

Unique Nature Names for Baby Girls

　　Aveline — Aveline may feel like a popular name — a cross between Adeline and Evelyn — but in fact it was given to fewer than 60 girls last year. Meaning hazelnut tree, it may be a route to a name that’s at once stylish and unique.

　　Elowen — The lovely Cornish Elowen, a Nameberry favorite that means elm, was used for only 25 girls in the US last year. One of the freshest members of the popular El family and a great way to honor grandma Ellen.

　　Gaia — Gaia is the name of the earth goddess of Greek mythology, the mother of all nature. It’s pronounced guy-ah and was given to 70 baby girls in the US last year.

　　Indre — Indre, pronounced in-drah, is the name of a river in France. It’s so unusual that it doesn’t appear on the US extended list of names, meaning it was given to fewer than five baby girls.

　　Izara — This African name from the Hausa tribe means a section of a tree. The z gives it zest and it’s both easy to understand and unique, given to fewer than five baby girls in the US last year.

　　Jacaranda — Jacaranda is a name exotic in both image and rhythm. It’s the Spanish name of a tropical tree with blue trumpet-shaped flowers. No baby girls were given the name in the US last year.

　　Lihini — Lihini is a word name from Sri Lanka that means bird or “free as a bird”.  If you name your daughter Lihini, she’ll have a truly unique name.

　　Maile — Maile, which is pronounced like Miley, is a Hawaiian name as well as the vine used to make leis. Author Maile Meloy brought it to wider attention, though it was used for only 39 girls in the US last year.

　　Neve — Translated from the Italian and Portuguese word for snow, Neve is pronounced neh-vay or neh-vee. Actress Neve Campbell pronounces it nehv, and as an Anglicized form of the Irish Niamh it’s neev. Neve was the name of 72 baby girls born in the US last year.

　　Tivona — This Hebrew name is not strictly a nature name the way Lark or Lake is, but it means “lover of nature.” Truly unique, it does not appear on the US extended list.

　　Ximenia — The Spanish name Ximenia is derived from a small tropical plant that bears wild limes. Pronunciation is hee-MAY-nee-ah. This name was given to virtually no baby girls in the US last year.

　　Would you choose a nature name for your child? Which is your favorite here….or anywhere?