30+ Free-Spirited Names for Boho Babies

Tallulah

With its soft, almost lyrical sound, Tallulah is an ideal boho name! Though many sources claim it’s of Choctaw origin and means “leaping water,” that’s probably an association gathered through the famed Tallulah Falls in Georgia. It may be an indigenous name derived from the Creek word for “town” — but in Irish legend, there was a St. Tallula, derived from the name Tuilelaith, which means “lady of abundance.”

Maia

You’ll find goddesses named Maia in both Roman and Greek mythology; in Roman mythology, Maia was the goddess of spring, while in Greek, she was the eldest in a group of stars called the Pleiades. Therefore, there are two different possible meanings: “good mother” in Greek, and “greater” in Roman.

Ruby

Where boho names and vintage names collide, you’ve got Ruby! Named for the precious gem (which comes from the Latin ruber, meaning “red”), it’s both a nature name and an old fashioned charmer; its popularity peaked in the early 1900s, but it is experiencing a well-deserved resurgence.

Lyric

Derived from the Greek word lyrikos, “lyric” simply means the words of a song, or a very emotional style of poetry. The name Lyric symbolizes artistic expression and creative freedom — two very important components of the boho lifestyle — making it a wonderful boho name choice.

Haven

Another boho name that comes from a word, Haven means “refuge” — a place of safety, shelter, and presumably, peace. 

Shiloh

This gender-neutral beauty comes from an Old Testament place name that means “tranquility.” It has a soft, gentle sound that fits in perfectly with that boho vibe.

Briar

Briar may be the name of a prickly plant, but even the most beautiful rose has thorns! It’s derived from the Old English word brǣr, and like many of our other boho name picks, this one is gender-neutral.

Astrid

The Old Norse elements that make up Astrid’s root name mean “god” and “beautiful” — so Astrid’s meaning, “divinely beautiful”, is as fabulous as the name itself.

Ari

Ari is a fantastic choice because it has the simple, folksy sound characteristic of many boho names — but it also has three separate, and very strong, meanings. In Hebrew it means “lion,” in Old Norse it means “eagle,” and in Armenian it means “brave.” So don’t let its chill demeanor fool you; it’s a powerhouse name in a tiny package!

Silas

Silas not only has the soft sound that makes it fit perfectly into the boho name category, it has the earthy boho meaning to match. It comes from the diminutive form of the Latin name Silvanus, which itself comes from silva — meaning “forest.”

Freya

Coming from the Old Norse word freyja, meaning “lady”, Freya is the name of the Norse mythical goddess of love, beauty, war, and death, and has been rising in popularity as of late. It’s more commonly spelled Freja in most Scandinavian countries, but for native English-speakers, this version is far more likely to be correctly pronounced.

Indigo

Derived from a Greek word meaning “from India,” Indigo is best known as a deep purplish-blue color — and it’s a perfect example of a truly unisex baby name, wearable on every gender. 

Alder

Alder is the perfect choice if you’re looking for a nature name that’s still fairly unique and underused — it has never cracked the top 1000 most popular names in the United States. The alder tree has long been associated with the spiritual and supernatural; its white wood darkens to blood-red when it’s been cut.

Echo

The word “echo” — in this case, repurposed into a name — invokes a feeling of openness and reverberation, similar to the echoing calls you might hear in a forest, or your own voice traveling across a vast canyon. Such a fitting feeling for a nature-forward boho name!

Clover

This nature name is derived from the Old English clafre, which eventually morphed into clovere, which then became clover — the word (or name!) we know today. Historically, a clover was used as a Celtic charm to ward off bad luck, and it was thought that if you carried one, it would also help you to see fairies.

As a name, Clover is cheery and wholesome-sounding — and carries the potential for the cute nickname Clo or Cloe.

Milo

The name Milo originated from the name Miles, and may be connected to a Slavic name element that means “gracious”. It’s a short-and-sweet choice that has most traditionally been used for boys, but with the trend toward vintage “grandpa names” for girls, it could be cute on a girl too!

Lilia

Lilia is the gorgeous Spanish and Italian form of Lily, which is itself the name of a flower. It comes from the Latin word lilium. This form of the name is lesser-used than Lily, but we love the feminine sound that comes with the ia-ending.

Marigold

Plucked straight from nature, Marigold is a the name of a golden or orange flower. In many cultures, the marigold represents purity, the divine, and the connection between the living and the dead. And in regular old horticulture, the marigold is prized for its beauty and hardiness.

Hazel

Throughout history, Hazel has been used as a name for both boys and girls — though these days, if you have a son named Hazel, he’d probably catch some flak (maybe go with Haze instead?). It’s a nature name, referring to the hazelnut tree, and is also associated with the light greenish-brown color of the same name. Hazel’s popularity surged in the late 19th century and has started rising up the popularity charts again recently, giving it a sweet vintage vibe.

Lennon

Lennon is a trifecta of bohemian vibes! It’s the surname of John Lennon, one of the most prominent figures in the counterculture movement; its sound is soft and lyrical; and its meaning — derived from the Irish name Leannán — means “lover.”

Matilda

Another vintage gem making a comeback — and also a perfect boho baby name — is Matilda. It comes from the Germanic name Mahthilt, which means “mighty in battle” … but this name’s old-fashioned charm (and its adorable nickname, Tillie!) make it sound anything but threatening.

Olive

It isn’t hard to guess where this quirky and cute nature name originated – that’s right, the olive tree! The olive branch is a symbol of peace dating back to Greek mythology.

Talia

This pretty and lyrical name is Hebrew, meaning “dew of heaven” — though it could also be used as a diminutive of Natalia, which comes from the Latin natale domini meaning “Christmas Day”. 

Dove

The dove is a beautiful bird whose soft gray color and gentle cooing sounds have long been associated with peace and harmony. So as a name, Dove fits in perfectly with the boho vibe.

Arlo

This folksy name originated way back in 1590, with the Edmund Spenser poem The Faerie Queene, which featured a fictional place called Arlo Hill. The exact meaning is unknown, though some sources say it means “hill” (likely due to the aforementioned poem). Its associations with boho came about with folk singer Arlo Guthrie, whose music was popular during the era when hippie culture was in full swing.

Orion

Orion may not be earthy, but it couldn’t be much more of a nature name — after all, it’s the name of a prominent constellation in the night sky! Imagine the vastness of the dark, with the sparkling contrast of the stars. The meaning of Orion is not certain, but some sources surmise that it comes from the Greek word horion, meaning “boundary.”

Saige

Saige is a gorgeous, herbaceous name that fits any gender — we think the addition of the “i” in the middle skews a teeny bit more feminine, reminiscent of Paige, but not so much that you couldn’t absolutely spell it like this for a boy. Sage, as most people know, is an herb … and, of course, also a term for a very wise person.

Poppy

Derived from the Old English word popæg, a poppy is a cheerful, bright red flower. Its use as a name has been well documented in Britain, but not so much in the U.S. — until the nature name trend skyrocketed. In the year 2000, only six girls were named Poppy; by 2020, Poppy was in the top 500 most popular names in the United States.

Willow

If you plant a willow branch in the ground, a new tree will grow. In a storm, it will bend, but never break. This is why the willow tree has been a symbol of renewal, vitality, and graceful strength, across cultures and across centuries — and combined with its soft, gentle sound, that makes it the perfect boho name.

Journey

Perhaps the quintessential boho baby name, Journey pays homage to the free-spirited wanderlust that’s the hallmark of the boho vibe. And it’s perfect for any gender as well!

Jude

Stemming from the Hebrew name Yehudah, meaning “praise”, Jude is another vintage-cool name that’s wearable on any gender. For girls, it’s a more modern-sounding take on the 1950s classic Judy.

Bodhi

Bodhi refers to a term in Buddhism used to mean “awakening” or “enlightenment” — which makes it an ideal boho baby name. You could leave it at this spelling, or you could use the alternate version — Bodie — which may be easier for the general public to pronounce.

Rowan

If you’re not exactly a green thumb, Rowan might not stand out as a nature name in the same way as, say, River — but it’s actually the name of a type of tree!

At last count by the the U.S. Social Security Administration’s baby name database, this name was used more for boys than girls, standing at #22 on the current popularity charts, and #276 for girls. But it’s still a beautiful unisex choice.

River

You can’t get much more natural than River – a gorgeous nature name that pays homage to the meandering bodies of water that crisscross the country.

August

The name August is experiencing a surge in popularity – and though for obvious reasons it’s perfect for a summer baby, it’s not just the name of a month. It comes from the Latin Augustus, meaning “venerable”. And the adorable nickname Augie is great year-round!

Wilder

In case you couldn’t guess, this name means “wild” or “untamed” — which makes it fit right in with the free-spirited, against-the-grain boho aesthetic.

Soren

Soren is nature-name adjacent; it’s reminiscent of the herb sorrel, which is used both for eating and for medicinal purposes. As a name, it stems from the Latin Severus, which means “severe” — surprising, since it doesn’t sound at all similar to its root name. It’s a much softer version.

Kai

As this name has increased in popularity, it’s been most associated with its Hawaiian meaning: “sea”. It’s great for any gender and gives off a carefree and easygoing vibe.

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