Names To Fall For
If you're expecting a baby sometime in the fall, why not give them a seasonal name to match? Autumn is one of the most cozy and beautiful times of the year. We've collected some of the best names emblematic of the colors, spice, and coziness of the season.
1. Hazel
Fall is full of colors (provided you live somewhere the leaves change), so this is just one of the color-inspired names on our list. Not only does this name reference a shade of greenish-brown, it also references hazelnuts, which are produced in the season.
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2. Rowan
Rowan is a male name of Scotch-Irish origin which means "rowan tree" or "little redhead". This name has the trendy sound found in similar arboreal names such as Oakley, but is a bit more subtle. Whether or not your baby has red hair, we think this is the perfect name.
3. Scarlett
A fiery name most associated with the fiery heroine of Gone with the Wind, this name is also a great choices for babies born right when the leaves begin to change. The chilly air of autumn provides a vivid palette full of inspiration. While this may be the season of change, it can also be the start of rebirth.
4. Russell
No, we didn't just pick this name because it's the sound children make when they jump into a pile of leaves, but that is a very sweet double meaning! Russell, like so many other names on this list, means "red haired", but it's a wonderful retro choices for boys with any hair color. If you're looking for nicknames, you could shorten it to Russ or Rusty.
5. Amber
Gorgeous orange-brown amber not only describes the color of falling leaves, but the sap that flows from those trees. This is one name you'll want to crystalize in your memory forever so you never forget.
6. Bryn
Bryn may sound like a trendy girls' name in the vein of Rae or Erin, but it's actually a Welsh boy's name meaning "hill" or "high". This name has a trendy yet rustic sound that we promise won't fade out with the trend cycle. Bryn is quite an old name, and we imagine it will continue enduring.
7. Sage
What's autumn without a Thanksgiving turkey, and what's a turkey without its stuffing? Sage is a versatile green herb but can also be used in reference to a wise person. Sage has a bit of crunchy and quirky flavor, but not in a way that becomes overpowering.
8. Forrest
Earthy and powerful names such as Hunter and Sawyer are ultra-popular for boys right now (and, spoiler, you'll see one of them soon), and Forrest is no exception to this rule. Spell it with one r or two, just make sure you teach your child to appreciate the splendor of the natural world.
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9. Aurelia
Aurelia is an old name, and we don't mean Old Lady Name old, we mean ancient Roman old! Aurelia means "the golden one" in Latin and has been a surprise sleeper hit nearly 2000 years after the collapse of the Roman Empire. This regal name will help your child stand out without making her ostentatious.
10. Hunter
We told you that you'd be seeing another hunter-gatherer-type name! Hunter, of course, means "one who hunts" but this name has much more depth than people give it credit for. Rather than just conjuring up images of paleolithic machismo, hunter green is also a lovely shade of green to look out for right before the leaves change color.
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11. Ginger
Another rusty shade and warming spice, Ginger hits a two-for-one of autumnal names. Don't you just want to cuddle up when you hear this name? And, we all know that babies are great cuddlers, so long as you don't want to get up!
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12. Ash
A longtime fave as a nickname or full name, Ash comes from a Hebrew name meaning "happy". Ash is also a type of tree, which makes this perfect as an autumnal name. Of course, if you want to claim either of these meanings but actually name your child after Ash Ketchum, we certainly aren't going to stop you.
13. Daphne
Daphne means "laurel tree" or "bay tree" and comes from Greek mythology. According to legend, Daphne was a beautiful nymph, the daughter of a river god. Daphne did not reciprocate Apollo's affections and prayed for escape from him, which she was granted when she was transformed into a laurel tree.
14. Oakley
Oakley is very popular right now, hovering around the top 400 for baby boys in America. this name, quite obviously, takes its roots from the oak tree. Oak leaves tend to turn later in the season than maples, but they're no less gorgeous, making this the perfect choice for an October or November baby.
15. Juniper
Another trendy name, Juniper has a very bright and youthful sound, and understandably so, because this name means "young". As a plant Juniper is an evergreen shrub which comes back every year with tons of energy.
16. Rory
Devotees of Gilmore Girls may forever associate this name with bookish Rory Gilmore, but this name's history goes back far longer. Rory derives from the Gaelic name Ruaidhrí, meaning "red king"; fittingly, this was the name of the last high King of Ireland. But, hey, we're not going to pretend that the Gilmore Girls connection doesn't make this name even more autumnal.
17. Orla
Sitcom fans may recognize this name from one of the titular Derry Girls. Another Anglicized Irish name, Orla derives from Órlaith, which means "golden princess". This name would play great with others on this list, especially Aurelia.
18. Rudy
Including Rudy on this list may be a bit of a stretch, but hear us out. Rudy sounds similar to the word ruddy, which refers to a healthy red complexion, and derives from the name Rudolf, meaning "famous wolf". Those connections are close enough for us!
19. Autumn
You knew we had to include Autumn on this list! This beautiful name works all year round with a refined and laid-back sound. If directly naming your child after the season she was born in is cheesy, then we may as well be fondue.
20. Carmine
Carmine is a popular Italian that derives from an old Aramaic word. All this is a roundabout way to say that carmine the color is a deep red that ranges from orangeish to almost purple. If you're leaning toward a subtle seasonal name, this is one of your most discreet options.
