Naming after... Birds

After past "Naming after..." series on colors and countries I thought it was time for my next post, and this is one which all nature and bird lovers alike will love. Naming after birds!

For girls

Category one: Names which aren't actually birds, but have meanings which are birds.
Ava, derived from the Latin word for bird.
Avis, meaning "bird" in Latin.
Elsa/Elsie, meaning "swan" in Anglo-Saxon.
Gozala, meaning "young bird" in Hebrew.
Jemima, meaning "dove" in Arabic and Hebrew.
Merle, meaning "blackbird" in Latin.
Tori, meaning "bird" in Japanese.

Category two: Names which are already known to be used.
Phoebe
Phoenix
Raven
Robin

Category three: Unusual but Usable. Names which are quite unique, but can be used in normal situations quite easily, or have nicknames which are 'normal'
Ani
Aracari, "Ara", "Sari", "Sara"
Avocet, "Ava", "Etta", "Ettie"
Coquette, "Coco", "Etta", "Ettie" (then again, this ones probably not so good, check the dictionary meaning before using.)
Eider
Elaenia, "Elle", "Ellie", "Ella", "Laney", "Lane", "Laina", "Nia"
Harrier, "Harry"
Linnet, "Lin", "Linna", "Netta", "Nettie", "Etta", "Ettie"
Mavis, "May", "Mave", "Ava", "Avis"
Mallard, "Mal", "Mallie"
Petrel, "Petra"
Pipit, "Pip", "Pippa"
Stora, "Tora", "Tori"
Tityra, "Tyra", "Ty"
Wren
Willet, "Will", "Willa", "Etta", "Ettie"

Category four: Totally out there. These ones are ones to use with a lot of caution, they don't quite fit in or have normal nicknames to fall back on.
Dove
Jacana (look this one up in the dictionary as well, its pronounced very unusually)
Lark
Starling (I find this one quite unusual, but its pretty similar to Sterling which is in the top 1000 for boys)
Teal

For boys

Category one: Names which aren't actually birds, but have meanings which are birds.
Arnold, meaning "eagle" in Germanic.
Callum, meaning "dove" in Latin.
Corbin, meaning "raven" in Old French and "crow" in Anglo-Norman.
Cormac, meaning "son of the raven" in Irish Gaelic.
Galvin, meaning "sparrow" in Gaelic.
Gavin, meaning "falcon of May" and "hawk of the plain" in Welsh.

Category two: Names which are already known to be used.
Brant


Category three: Unusual but Usable. Names which are quite unique, but can be used in normal situations quite easily, or have nicknames which are 'normal'
Condor, "Con", "Connie"
Cormorant, "Corey"
Jaegar, "Jay"
Kinglet, "King"
Mallard, "Mal"
Peregrine, "Perry"
Robin, "Rob", "Robbie"
Willet, "Will"

Category four: Totally out there. These ones are ones to use with a lot of caution, they don't quite fit in or have normal nicknames to fall back on.
Bluejay
Cardinal
Crane
Falcon
Trogon

Got some other bird names? Any you really like or dislike? Do you know anyone named after a bird? Comment below!

Any suggestions for Annie-Kate? Comments on or requests for the blog? Want some advice naming your child? Email me at anni.ekate@yahoo.com.au