Joaquin Phoenix has had the internet in sobs ever since we learned his sentimental choice of name for his newborn son, his first child with actress Rooney Mara.
According to Viktor Kossakovsky, the director of Joaquin's latest film project Gunda, the new dad has chosen to name his son River after his older brother who tragically died in 1993 from an accidental drug overdose.
The brothers shared a special bond and his name choice is a beautiful tribute.
If the nature-themed name has triggered your interest for naming your child, this list should be of some assistance.
The Elements
Baby names inspired by fire:
Adara (F)
Meaning: Fire
Origin: Hebrew
Aidan (M)
Meaning: Little fire
Origin: Gaelic
Amarkeeri (M)
Meaning: Eternal flame
Origin: Hindi
Azar (F)
Meaning: Scarlet
Origin: Persian
Joash (M)
Meaning: Fire of Yahweh
Origin: Hebrew
Langa (M)
Meaning: Sun
Origin: Nguni
Lebone (U)
Meaning: Light
Origin: Sesotho
Lesedi (F)
Meaning: Light
Origin: Sesotho
Masana (U)
Meaning: Sunrise
Origin: Xitsonga
Maletshatsi (F)
Meaning: Sunshine
Origin: Sesotho
Mishal (M)
Meaning: He who holds the torch
Origin: Arabic
Mogotsi (M)
Meaning: builder of fire
Origin: Sesotho
Mmakganya (F)
Meaning: she who light the way/ she who bears the light
Origin: Setswana
Naledi (F)
Meaning: Star
Origin: Sesotho
Nomalanga (F)
Meaning: Sunny
Origin: Zulu
Nkanyezi (M)
Meaning: Star
Origin: Zulu
Nyeleti (U)
Meaning: Star
Origin: Xitsonga
Orion (M)
Meaning: Rising in the sky
Origin: Greek
Pele (F)
Meaning: Goddess of Fire
Origin: Hawaiian
Phoenix (U)
Meaning: Dark red, deep scarlet; the mythical bird who rises from the ashes
Origin: Greek
Qaqamba (F)
Meaning: She who shines bright
Origin: Xhosa
Soleil (F)
Meaning: Sun
Origin: French
ALSO SEE | Arabic baby names for boys and girls
Baby names inspired by water:
Assana (F)
Meaning: Waterfall
Origin: Irish
Darya (F)
Meaning: The sea
Origin: Iranian
Flynt (M)
Meaning: A stream
Origin: English
Ghadir (M)
Meaning: Stream
Origin: Arabic
Halcyon (F)
Meaning: The halcyon is generally known as a mythical bird, who could calm the seas.
Origin: Greek
Kai (U)
Meaning: Ocean
Origin: Hawaiian
Lake (U)
Meaning: A body of water which runs deep.
Origin: English
Lwandle (M)
Meaning: Ocean
Origin: Nguni
Mesi (F)
Meaning: Water
Origin: Egyptian
Motlalepule (F)
Meaning: She who comes with the rain
Origin: Sesotho
Nomvula (F)
Meaning: mother of rain
Origin: Nguni
Pule (M) / Puleng (F)
Meaning: rain
Origin: Sesotho
Rain (F)
Meaning: Condensed water which falls to the earth in water droplets
Origin: Old English
Reva (F)
Meaning: Rain; River
Origin: Hebrew; Hindi
River (M)
Meaning: A large, natural stream; peace; tranquillity
Origin: Latin-English
Storm/Stormi (U)
Meaning: Tempest
Origin: English
Talia (F)
Meaning: Dew of Heaven
Origin: Dew
Tlali (U)
Meaning: Lightening
Origin: Sesotho
Varsha; Varisha (F)
Meaning: Rain; monsoon
Origin: Hindu
ALSO SEE | Zulu baby names for boys and girls
Baby names inspired by air:
Alizeh (F)
Meaning: Wind
Origin: Persian
Anani (M)
Meaning: A cloud, prophecy, divination
Origin: Hebrew
Aria (F)
Meaning: Air; Lioness
Origin: Italian; Hebrew
Azure (F)
Meaning: Sky blue
Origin: English
Guthrie (M)
Meaning: Free wind
Origin: Gaelic
Misty (F)
Meaning: Derivative of moist, foggy morning air
Origin: English
Nimbus (M)
Meaning: Rain cloud
Origin: Latin
Skye (U)
Meaning: Cloud; shelter; Isle of Skye
Origin: English; Scottish
Stella (F)
Meaning: Star
Origin: Latin
Scirocco (U)
Meaning: Warm wind
Origin: Italian; Arabic
Baby names inspired by Earth:
Atlas (M)
Meaning: Titan who was the bearer of the heavens
Origin: Greek
Ridge (M)
Meaning: Narrow, rough segment of mountaintop
Origin: English
Slate / Slater (M)
Meaning: Metamorphic rock
Origin: English
Vale (M)
Meaning: Poetic term for 'valley'
Origin: Latin, old French, middle English
Gaia (F)
Meaning: Earth mother
Origin: Greek
Ela (F)
Meaning: Earth
Origin: Indian
Terra (U)
Meaning: Planet earth; in Roman mythology, Terra is the goddess of the earth. It's been alleged that Terra had four children: Summer, Winter, Spring, Autumn.
Origin: Latin
Wekesa (U)
Meaning: Born during the harvest
Origin: African
Sienna (F)
Meaning: Earthy colour, reddish-orange colour; Tuscan town
Origin: Italian
Savannah (F)
Meaning: Level, tropical grassland; Open plain
Origin: Spanish; Taino (Native American)
Nirvana (F)
Meaning: Place of great bliss
Origin: Sanskrit
Eden (F)
Meaning: Place of pleasure, delight
Origin: Hebrew
Isla (F)
Meaning: Island
Origin: Spanish
ALSO SEE | Spring-inspired baby names
Plant-life
Baby names inspired by trees:
Abungu (F)
Meaning: Of the forest
Origin: African
Aspen (F)
Meaning: Deciduous broad-leaf tree
Origin: English
Cedar (U)
Meaning: Umbrella title for trees of a certain species
Origin: English
Forest (M)
Meaning: Woodsman
Origin: French
Ilana (F)
Meaning: Oak tree
Origin: Hebrew
Hadassah (F)
Meaning: Myrtle tree
Origin: Hebrew
Juniper (U)
Meaning: Coniferous tree part of the cypress family
Origin: Latin
Lesley (U)
Meaning: Small meadow/ fortress
Origin: Gaelic
Linden (M)
Meaning: A tree part of the Tilia species
Origin: Old English
Oakley (M)
Meaning: Oak wood or clearing
Origin: English
Matsimela (U)
Meaning: Roots
Origin: Sesotho
Willow (F)
Meaning: Species name for over 400 deciduous trees and shrubs
Origin: English
Baby names after flowers:
Many baby girls are often named after different types of flowers. There are occasions where people name their babies after flowers, but in their native languages and in accordance with their culture. Boys are seldom named after flowers.
Azalea
Blossom
Brier: The French variation of Heather
Bryony
Dahlia
Daisy
Fleur
Flora
Hazel
Heather
Hyacinth
Keeya (F)
Meaning: Flower
Origin: Sesotho
Iris
Ivy
Jasmine
Laurel
Lily
Lotus
Mbali
Meaning: Flower
Origin: Zulu
Mbalienhle
Meaning: Beautiful flower
Origin: Zulu
Palesa
Meaning: Flower
Origin: Sesotho
Poppy
Rose
Sethunya (F)
Meaning: Bloom/ Flower
Origin: Sesotho
Shiluva (U)
Meaning: Flower
Origin: Xitsonga
Violet
Baby names inspired by herbs:
Basil (M)
Meaning: Regal
Origin: Greek
Lavender (F)
Meaning: Name of the plant known to bring about a sense of tranquillity and alleviates anxiety
Origin: English
Marjoram (F)
Meaning: Name of herb and flower
Origin: Mediterranean
Rosemary (F)
Meaning: The rosemary plant; dew of the sea
Origin: Latin
Sage (U)
Meaning: Wise and knowing; Herb plant
Origin: Latin
Animals
Baby names inspired by wild creatures:
Fox (M)
Foxes are known as smart, creative and cunning wild animals. Celts believed the fox would be a guide in the spirit world and it was revered for its wisdom.
Leo (M)
Meaning: Lion
Origin: Latin
Lynx (U)
Meaning: Luminescence
Origin: Latin; Greek; Old English
Melissa (F)
Meaning: Honeybee
Origin: Greek
Baby names inspired by birds:
Dove (F)
Doves are often recognised as a symbol of peace and tranquillity.
Falcon (M)
The falcon is known as a fast, agile bird. Even though its smaller in size, it is one of the many powerful birds of prey.
Hawk (M)
Hawks, who also fall into the class of birds of prey, are said to be one of the most intelligent bird species. While they are violent raptors, some tend to be quiet and gentle as well.
Lark (F)
The lark is a melodious small to medium sized bird, but it also features in mythology and literature where it is a symbol for spiritual daybreak.
Sparrow (U)
Generally sparrows are small, 'stocky' birds. They are often referenced in literature and religious texts. They're social birds and don't mind interacting with humans.
Wren (U)
This bird could be likened to that of the robin - it is also a songbird.
Baby names inspired by precious stones:
Amethyst (F)
Meaning: Jewel; Purple birthstone for February
Origin: Greek
Garnet (F)
Meaning: Pomegranate; Jewel name
Origin: French
Gemma (F)
Meaning: Precious stone
Origin: Italian
Onyx (U)
Meaning: Gem name; Deep, jet black colour
Origin: Greek
Pearl (F)
Meaning: Precious; birthstone for June
Origin: Latin
Ruby (U)
Meaning: Deep red birthstone for July
Origin: Latin
Sapphire (F)
Meaning: Precious stone; Birthstone for September
Origin: Hebrew
Which of these names has got your attemtion? Have you given your baby a name inspired by nature?
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