🧭 A Little History: How Place Names Became People Names

The use of geographic place names as given names first gained traction in the 19th century, when romanticism and colonial expansion stirred the imagination. Names like India, Florence and Paris reflected exoticism, elegance or familial ties to a beloved location. In modern times, the trend has reemerged with fresh energy — think Brooklyn, Aspen, Cairo or Zion — as parents seek names that feel rooted, adventurous and meaningful. Whether tied to heritage, travel memories or aspirational symbolism, place names have become a way to tell a story and carry a little piece of the world forward.

Some names are more than names — they’re destinations in disguise. They echo with footsteps on foreign soil, hint at distant skies, and feel like passport stamps for the soul.

Whether drawn from ancient cities, sacred landscapes or stylish coastlines, these names carry the spirit of travel and transformation. They don’t just tell us where we come from — they whisper where we’re going.

Here are 10 wanderlust-worthy baby names for the curious, the courageous, and the born-to-roam.

Siena

Origin: Italian/Latin place name
Meaning:  "old soul"

Sun-washed and slow-paced, Siena is a name that feels like a renaissance watercolor painting — warm, artistic and drenched in old-world charm. Named for the medieval Italian city where time lingers in stone alleyways and every view is a masterpiece, Siena evokes beauty, culture, and soul. A name for the graceful wanderer who finds magic in the details and romance in the ruins.

Holland

Origin: Dutch/Germanic place name
Meaning: “Wooded land” or “land of many trees”

Windmills, wild tulips, and bicycle bells echoing through cobblestone streets — Holland is a name with crisp air and curious spirit. More than a country, it’s a feeling: clean, creative and cosmopolitan. With roots that mean “wooded land,” Holland pairs grounded strength with artistic verve. 

India

Origin: Greek/Latin via Sanskrit Sindhu
Meaning: “River” or “from the Indus”

Once the poetic name for a faraway land full of color, spice, and ancient rhythms, India feels like a long train ride through wonder. With deep roots and global echoes, this name carries an old-soul elegance and an explorer’s heart. It hums with creativity, depth, and quiet power — a choice for those who see the world as a place of beauty, story, and soul.

Capri

Origin: Italian place name
Meaning: Likely “goat island” (from Latin capra)

Sunlight flickering off sea caves. Lemons ripening on stone terraces. The name Capri glows like a Mediterranean dream. Though its literal meaning is humble — “goat island” — it carries an unmistakable sparkle. Short and stylish, Capri feels breezy and modern, yet timelessly luxe. It’s a name for someone who was born to charm, to shine, and to live every day like summer in Italy.

Sedona

Origin: Invented American first name; later adopted as Arizona place name
Meaning: Created in the 1800s; now symbolically tied to serenity and spiritual power

With red rock cathedrals and desert winds that whisper, Sedona is a name infused with magic. Though invented in the 19th century, it became iconic through the Arizona town known for its natural beauty and healing energy. Today, Sedona carries the spirit of stillness, strength, and quiet clarity. For a child rooted in nature and radiant with soul, this name holds sacred space.

Cairo

Origin: Arabic
Meaning: “The victorious”

Golden light and endless stories — Cairo is a name carved in time. Named for Egypt’s vibrant capital, it pulses with history, mystery, and strength. Its Arabic meaning, “the victorious,” adds a layer of quiet power to its rhythmic flow. Cairo is both ancient and modern, regal and raw. A name for the child who sees the world as their empire — and walks through it with grace.

Memphis

Origin: Ancient Egyptian and Greek
Meaning: “Established and beautiful” (from ancient Egyptian Men-nefer)

Once the capital of ancient Egypt and now a soulful southern city, Memphis is a name that sings with rhythm and resilience. With roots meaning “enduring beauty,” it fuses ancient grandeur with bluesy charm. Whether you imagine pyramids or Beale Street, Memphis speaks of creative fire, deep roots, and timeless cool. For a child with big presence and a story to tell.

Zaire

Origin: Kongo (Bantu language)
Meaning: “The river that swallows all rivers”

Powerful, poetic, and deeply symbolic, Zaire is a name that moves like water. Once the name of a nation and always the name of a mighty river, Zaire carries the force of nature and the poetry of origin. With African roots and a modern edge, it represents flow, strength, and transformation. A name for those born to rise, reshape, and redefine.

Bronx

Origin: American place name (New York City borough)
Meaning: Named after Jonas Bronck, a 17th-century Swedish settler

Bold and built of concrete dreams, Bronx is a name with streetwise rhythm and fearless style. As one of NYC’s most iconic boroughs, it pulses with grit, pride, and cultural power. The name Bronx feels modern, tough, and full of character — a tribute to legacy and reinvention. It’s a name for the unshakable — someone who knows where they come from and where they’re headed.

Denali

Origin: Koyukon Athabaskan (Native Alaskan)
Meaning: “The high one” or “great one”

Majestic and mighty, Denali is the highest peak in North America — and a name that soars. With indigenous Alaskan roots meaning “the great one,” it honors natural power and ancestral wisdom. Denali feels wild, pure, and untamed — a name that rises above and sees far. For a child born with depth, strength, and mountain-sized dreams, Denali leads the way.

🌍 Wander Far, Name Boldly

From misty mountains to golden deserts, bustling cities to sacred rivers, these names aren’t just labels — they’re journeys. They speak of place and purpose, of dreams that stretch beyond borders.

So if your heart is a compass and you’re naming someone who’s meant to explore, consider one of these wander-worthy names.

Want to see one of these turned into art? Explore our Name Stories® collection — every name has a story, and every story deserves to shine.