Serenity
Rowan
Popularity rank in the US: #239
Meaning: Red
The rowan is an important tree in Celtic lore with protective, healing, vision-granting and clarity-enhancing properties. The bright red berries that cover the tree in autumn give the rowan its Gaelic name. Rowan trees play a role in Greek and Norse mythology as well as in Druid and pagan practice. The name is strong for a boy, but also works for girls – Brooke Shields' daughter is Rowan Francis.
Marley
Popularity rank in the US: #202
Meaning: Pleasant wood; forest edge
You're still wailin' and Bob Marley is your reggae idol. Tribute names were hippie accolades to the great ones: Janis, Jimi, Donovan, Dylan and, of course, Marley. The name is a word from Old English, but the real edge for your little girl or boy is that Jamaican reggae beat, with its message to "Lively Up Yourself," and the "dread rastaman" who delivered it.
Orion
Popularity rank in the US: #383
Meaning: Boundary; light of heaven
This child will outshine any constellation so why not give him a mantle of star-shine to wear? Orion, the Hunter, is one of the brightest constellations in the night sky, almost entirely young blue giant stars and the massive red giant Betelgeuse. The legend of Orion comes from Greek mythology – the powerful hunter tangled with the gods and was banished forever to his prominent place in the sky. If you can handle the star power, Orion won't have too much competition from all the little Noahs and Masons.
Crystal
Popularity rank in the US: #477
Meaning: Ice; clear glass
Crystal is clearly so mesmerizing that it flowered as a hippie girl name and hasn't lost much of its sparkle. The English "crystal" comes from the Greek "krystallos." Crystals are healing, light refracting, centering and beautiful – all good reasons to have one of your very own.
Moon
Meaning: Month; brightness
Maybe your baby will hop, skip and jump on the moon one day – just like American astronauts did in the '60s. Moon is an ancient Indo-European word describing the magical phenomenon of a shining orb that waxed and waned over the course of a month in the night sky. Rock legend Frank Zappa named his baby girl Moon Unit. You might christen your cherub with Moon Shadow, Moon Beam, Moon Dance – or just lovely, luminous Moon.
Sage
Popularity rank in the US: #654
Meaning: Wise
The old soul in the nursery may babble and coo, but those eyes hold the wisdom of the ages. The plant is a savory evergreen herb, used for both traditional healing and cooking; Simon and Garfunkel's 1966 "Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme" would make a charming lullaby. Sage comes from both Latin and French and blends comfortably with almost any name you pair with it.
