Finding a baby name can be both fun and a little stressful. For parents who prefer a name without religious connotations, the search may take more consideration. Western names are often strongly associated with saints, biblical figures, or spiritual traditions.
If you are looking for baby names for secular, non-religious, or atheist families, you may be relieved to know there are many beautiful options inspired by nature, history, philosophy, literature, and culture.
This list of 250 non-religious baby names brings together names for boys, girls, and gender-neutral choices that are timeless in meaning but not tied to specific religious symbols or teachings. Secular names can still be full of depth and character.
Reasons for Choosing Non-Religious Baby Names
Parents have different reasons for seeking non-religious baby names. Some common ones include:
Wanting a name without spiritual or faith-based meaning
Wanting a name with connections to nature, art, or philosophy
Being atheists, agnostics, humanists, or simply secular-minded
Wanting a universal name without significant cultural or religious weight
Choosing a name that works well across countries and languages
Non-religious names can come from nature (River, Sage, Willow), virtues (Hope, Justice, Honor), literature and history (Darwin, Byron, Austen), or simply modern sounds with no religious tie.
Non-Religious Baby Boy Names
Here are boy names inspired by nature, science, philosophy, and culture.
Adrian – sea or water
Alden – old friend
Archer – bowman
Atlas – strength, endurance
Ash – from the ash tree
Axton – sword stone
Blaise – stammering, but sleek modern sound
Bram – raven
Brice – speckled
Byron – from Lord Byron, the poet
Cael – slender
Caspian – the Caspian Sea
Cedar – from the tree
Cole – victory of the people
Darwin – inspired by Charles Darwin
Dash – energetic, bold
Dean – valley
Dylan – son of the sea
Easton – from the east town
Ellis – benevolent
Felix – lucky
Flint – rock, spark
Forrest – forest dweller
Gage – oath or pledge
Gray – neutral, modern color name
Holden – from Catcher in the Rye
Hugo – mind, intellect
Jasper – gemstone
Julian – youthful
Keane – sharp, intelligent
Landon – long hill
Leo – lion
Linden – linden tree
Mason – stoneworker
Milo – soldier or merciful
Orion – constellation
Pax – peace
Phoenix – mythical bird of rebirth
River – flowing water
Rowan – red-haired or rowan tree
Silas – wood, forest
Sterling – high quality, silver
Theo – gift (without the explicitly religious Theodore link)
Titan – strong, gigantic
Victor – conqueror
West – directional, modern sound
Wilder – untamed
Zane – cultural, not spiritual, “gift of God”
Zion – modern place name
Zen – calm, meditative
Non-Religious Baby Girl Names
These girl names are secular in origin, often tied to nature, literature, or virtues.
Ada – noble
Aisling – dream or vision
Alba – dawn
Amber – gemstone
Arden – Shakespearean forest
Aria – melody
Astrid – divine strength (cultural, not religious)
Autumn – season name
Avery – elf ruler, now popular for girls
Beatrix – traveler
Blair – plain, field
Briar – thorny bush
Brooke – small stream
Celeste – heavenly (cosmic sense)
Clara – bright, clear
Cora – maiden
Daisy – flower name
Darcy – dark one
Delia – from Delos, Greek island
Eden – delight, nature-inspired
Elara – one of Jupiter’s moons
Elise – once “pledged to God,” now secular
Ember – spark, flame
Esme – esteemed, loved
Fawn – young deer
Fern – plant name
Freya – Norse goddess (mythological, not spiritual)
Gaia – earth
Gemma – precious stone
Greer – alert, watchful
Harper – harp player
Hazel – hazelnut tree
Iris – rainbow, flower
Isla – island
Ivy – climbing plant
Jade – gemstone
Juno – Roman mythological queen
Kaia – earth, pure
Lila – night
Lyra – constellation
Maeve – she who intoxicates
Maren – sea
Mira – admirable, wonderful
Nova – exploding star
Olive – peace, nature-based
Opal – gemstone
Piper – flute player
Quinn – wise, intelligent
Rae – graceful
Sienna – earthy red-brown
Skye – sky
Stella – star
Sylvia – forest
Tessa – to reap
Thalia – to blossom
Vale – valley
Vera – truth
Violet – flower
Willow – willow tree
Wren – small bird
Gender-Neutral Non-Religious Baby Names
These unisex names are secular and versatile.
Alex – defender
Arden – valley of the eagle
Aspen – tree
Avery – modern classic
Blake – pale or dark
Cameron – crooked river
Casey – vigilant
Charlie – free person
Dakota – ally, friend
Devon – from Devonshire
Drew – strong
Emerson – powerful
Finley – fair-haired warrior
Frankie – free
Harper – musical
Hunter – occupation turned modern name
Indigo – deep blue
Jordan – to flow down
Jules – youthful
Justice – fairness
Kai – ocean, sea
Kennedy – helmeted head
Lane – narrow road
Lennox – elm grove
Logan – hollow
London – place name
Marley – pleasant seaside meadow
Morgan – sea-born
Oakley – oak field
Parker – park keeper
Phoenix – mythical bird
Reese – ardent
Remy – oarsman
River – flowing water
Robin – bird name
Rory – red king
Rowan – tree, red-haired
Sage – wise, herb
Skyler – sheltering
Taylor – tailor
Teagan – poet, attractive
True – honesty
Vale – valley
Winter – season name
Wren – bird
Zephyr – gentle breeze
Names from History, Science, and Philosophy
Darwin – naturalist
Newton – scientist
Tesla – inventor
Ada (Lovelace) – mathematician
Byron – poet
Emerson – philosopher
Eliot – writer
Austen – novelist
Galileo – scientist
Socrates – philosopher
Plato – philosopher
Aristotle – philosopher
Hume – philosopher
Marx – thinker
Voltaire – writer
Whitman – poet
Wilde – playwright
Frost – poet
Blake – poet
Camus – philosopher
Secular Nature-Inspired Names
Alder
Bay
Birch
Canyon
Cedar
Cliff
Cloud
Cove
Dawn
Dune
Echo
Flame
Flint
Frost
Lake
Meadow
Ocean
Pebble
Prairie
Rain
Reed
Ridge
Rock
Sand
Sequoia
Shade
Sky
Snow
Sol
Stone
Storm
Summer
Sunset
Thorne
Tide
Vale
Wave
Wild
Winter
Zenith
Short, Modern Non-Religious Names
Ash
Beau
Cruz
Dex
Finn
Gus
Jax
Kit
Lux
Max
Nox
Pax
Quinn
Ren
Rio
Rye
Sam
Sky
Tao
Zen
Virtue-Inspired Secular Names
Honor
Justice
Noble
Patience
Peace
Prosper
Sage
Serenity
True
Valor
Verity
Hope
Joy
Bliss
Final Thoughts
Baby names do not need to be religious or tied to faith traditions to carry meaning. For secular, non-religious, or atheist parents, naming a child can reflect values, creativity, and personal inspiration. Whether you choose a name rooted in nature, literature, music, philosophy, or virtues, there are countless meaningful paths.
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