Nature Inspired Dog Names

Introduction

For those that love being outdoors, it is likely that one of the things that you are looking forward to with your new canine pal is the opportunity to spend time together outside, exploring nature. After all, there is much to show your new friend! From frolicking among flowers to rolling in the grass, to long walks in the wilderness, you plan to spend plenty of time outdoors with your dog, enjoying all that the natural world offers. If this sounds like you, when considering what to name your dog, a nature-inspired name may be just right. Every time you call your new friend’s name, you will be reminded of nature’s beauty and all that you seek to share with him.

Nature Inspired Dog Names in Pop Culture

Featured Famous Nature Inspired Dog

Lassie

Nature loving dogs can be found throughout pop culture, where dogs embark on outdoor adventures just as humans do.

A famous dog who spent many years outdoors is Lassie, of the American television series that ran from 1954-1973. A female Rough Collie, the show followed her many adventures with both human and animal companions. Through part of the series, Lassie lived on a farm; later she lived in the wilderness. Regardless of where she lived, Lassie had plenty of opportunity to explore and enjoy nature. The 1993 film Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey, is the story of two dogs (the young Chance, who lacks experience, and the wiser Shadow) as well as a cat, who embark on an outdoor adventure to try and locate their family who left them behind when going on vacation. Their journey takes them through the mountains and they experience much of what nature has to offer, while learning how to work together in order to overcome the challenges that they encounter outdoors.

In the children’s book Denver Crosses the Creek, Denver the dog has to find her way home, having gotten lost in the woods that are behind the house where she lives. As she tries to figure out how to get home, she is given poor directions by sneaky characters who lead her further from her home. Fortunately, Denver eventually finds a friend that she can trust to help her find her way. The book brings up how important it is to have caution when interacting with those that you don’t know, as well as how important it is to follow the rules that your family has set.

Fiction is not the only place to find dogs out in nature. In 1995, Boo, who was a 10-month old Newfoundland, came to the aid of a man who was hearing-impaired while at the Yuba River, located in Northern California. The man was looking for gold and fell into the river. Boo was walking with his owner along the river and observed the man struggling in the water. Boo immediately jumped into the river, took the arm of the man who was drowning and swam him to safety. While Boo had never had training in water safety, he instinctively knew what to do.

Nature Inspired Dog Name Considerations

There are many reasons you might decide on a nature-inspired name for your new canine pal. You may spend a lot of time outdoors enjoying nature yourself and plan to do so with your dog as well, making a name related to nature a good fit for your new pal. Each time you call his name, you will be reminded of the beauty of nature and the enjoyment that you feel when experiencing it.

Something about your dog, perhaps his breed or his appearance, may remind you of an element of nature. For example, a Labrador will typically enjoy water, bringing to mind a name that relates to a natural water source like a river. Or your pooch may resemble a dog in the media that enjoys outdoor adventures, like Lassie or Shadow, from the movie Homeward Bound.

Choosing a name that brings nature to mind is great way to honor its beauty, as well as to continue to inspire you to get outside with your new pup. A nature-inspired name will be an ongoing reminder of all that you and your dog have enjoyed and plan to continue to enjoy, together.

Male Nature Inspired Dog Names

Votes	Name	Vote
8	Rocky Rocks of all sizes are found in nature
8	Oliver Latin for “nature loving”
4	Forest The forest is a great place to experience the wonders of nature
4	River The sound of the river is like a song from nature
4	Hawk A type of bird with a short beak and broad wings
3	Grove A small stand of trees
3	Wren An English name that means “from the farm”
3	Ridge A part of the mountain that one may hike along
3	Shadow For the dog in Homeward Bound, depending on the location of the sun, you may see your shadow
2	Basil A great-smelling plant that is a culinary herb
2	Spruce A type of tree with 35 species
2	Cliff Camping on a cliff is sure to offer amazing views
2	Strom German for “one who loves water”
0	Sol A word for the sun
0	Wave For the waves of the ocean
0	Reed A type of tall grass
-1	Clay Natural rock and soil material that is finely-grained and includes at least one clay mineral with small amounts of metal oxides and organic matter
-1	Pine A type of tree; often with a pleasant scent
-1	Creek A small stream where water will flow; the sound of which is typically relaxing
-2	Cove A small, sheltered bay
-2	Afon Welsh for “a river”
-2	Woody In honor of the woods, a great place to enjoy nature
-2	Peak The highest point of a mountain; often where you can enjoy a great view
-3	Cypress A type of tree
-3	Orion A Greek name meaning “rising in the sky”
-4	Birch A deciduous tree with thin leaves
-5	Mountain A large, natural rise from the surface of the earth; ideal place to experience nature
-6	Leaf Many of these can be found on trees; during the fall and winter leaves will be on the ground
-7	Yosemite A popular National Park in California
-7	Boulder A city in Colorado allowing easy access to opportunities where you and your canine can experience nature

Female Nature Inspired Dog Names

Votes	Name	Vote
12	Maple Genus of tree with about 128 species
9	Willow A type of deciduous tree and shrub
9	Meadow An area of grassland, often including wildflowers
9	Sky The sky above may be clear blue, filled with clouds, or anything in between
8	Sequoia For the Sequoia trees that are among the largest type of tree
7	Rain When camping in hot weather, rain will be a welcome reprieve
6	Holly A genus of flowering plants
6	Sage A small evergreen shrub that is used as a culinary herb
6	Lily A genus of flowering plants that are grown from bulbs
6	Spring Like a creek; enjoy the song made by water flowing over rocks
5	Sunshine The sun will provide you with warmth while exploring the outdoors
5	Dew Small drops of water you may see on plants first thing in the morning
5	Aspen A type of tree found at higher altitudes
4	Cloud Particles of condensed vapor that are suspended in the atmosphere and visible to your eyes
3	Petal A part of a flower surrounding its reproductive parts
3	Blossom Means “to bloom”
3	Lake A natural body of water where you can enjoy a swim or trip on a boat
2	Fern A type of vascular plant that has no seeds or flowers
2	Flower For the many types of flowers that you may encounter when enjoying nature
1	Marin French for “one who loves the ocean”
1	Ivy Evergreen climbing or ground sweeping plants
0	Pinecone Of various sizes, these fall off trees so that new growth may take place
0	Misty For the small drops of water in the atmosphere
0	Montana A state in the United States that has many opportunities to explore nature
-1	Ponderosa The Ponderosa Pine is a type of pine tree
-1	Star A part of nature that can be enjoyed at night
-1	Mesa A natural elevation with a flat top; means “table” in Spanish
-3	Lassie Of the television series Lassie; a dog always ready to enjoy and explore nature
-4	Appalachia Hiking the Appalachian trail offers miles of opportunity to experience nature
-7	Squirrel A squirrel is one of many animals that are encountered in nature