If you’ve ever looked at a lush green rooftop garden or a street lined with solar panels and thought, This is what the future should look like, then you’re already vibing with solarpunk. It’s more than just an aesthetic (although the aesthetic is amazing). Solarpunk is a movement that imagines a future where technology and nature actually compliment each other — where clean energy, sustainability, and community care are the norm instead of the exception. Think sunlit cities wrapped in ivy, wind turbines spinning in the distance, and people living in harmony with the planet instead of constantly fighting against it. It’s kinda like steampunk’s bright, hopeful cousin: While steampunk is all about a gritty, industrial past filled with gears and gas lamps, solarpunk is a vision of a world where progress doesn’t equal pollution, and innovation works with nature, not against it.
From Phineas to Ophelia, these names embody the fusion of elegance and industry, combining old-fashioned charm with a sense of offbeat playfulness.
— SheKnows (@SheKnows) October 17, 2024
For an increasing number of parents, solarpunk isn’t just an aesthetic — it’s a philosophy they’re trying to live by. And when it comes time to name a baby, why not let that hopeful and forward-looking mindset make its way onto the birth certificate? Solarpunk names are inspired by nature, science, mythology, and a deep-rooted hope for what’s possible. These names might sound earthy and ethereal, or futuristic and unexpected, but they all carry a sense of light, life, and renewal.
Choosing a solarpunk name can feel like giving your child a little piece of the future: one that’s greener, brighter, and more connected. It’s a way of saying, “We believe in better things, and we’re raising someone who might help build them.” Whether you’re drawn to names that feel fresh out of a botanical garden or something that sounds like it belongs in a dreamy, utopian sci-fi novel, there’s something here for you.
So if you’re someone who gets excited by the idea of solar power and flower power, or if you’re just looking for a name that’s meaningful, future-facing, and a little off the beaten path, you’re in the right place. These solarpunk baby names are beautiful, intentional, and full of that rare mix of groundedness and wonder.
Beatrix
Image Credit: SheKnows Beatrix likely comes from Viatrix — literally “female traveler” in Late Latin. It’s got roots in early Christianity, but also vibes of being blessed or happy. In a solarpunk world, someone with this name would be all about exploring and finding their own path to happiness in a future where tech and nature thrive.
Algernon
Image Credit: SheKnows Algernon has its roots in Norman French, literally meaning “having a moustache.” It was a nickname for William de Percy, one of William the Conqueror’s crew. Fast forward to the 15th century, and it started getting used as an actual given name. And its tie to nature? It was given to a mouse character in the short story Flowers for Algernon (1958) and the 1966 novel of the same name by American author Daniel Keyes.
Briony
Image Credit: SheKnows Briony makes the perfect solarpunk name because of its natural healing vibes — it’s derived from the name of a type of vine that was used in ancient medicine.
Callum
Image Credit: SheKnows The name Callum comes from Columba, which is Late Latin for “dove.” In Christian tradition, the dove represents the Holy Spirit, which fits right in with the solarpunk vibe of finding spirituality in nature and community.
Garnet
Image Credit: SheKnows Let’s dig into Garnet — a passionate, earthy choice straight from the deep red gemstone, which happens to be January’s birthstone. The word “garnet” itself comes from Middle English, where “gernet” meant “dark red.”
Amaryllis
Image Credit: SheKnows Amaryllis is quite literally a bright and shining name: It’s derived from the Greek word amarysso, which means “to sparkle.” But the name Amaryllis is also tied to a stunning flower, with its large, showy blooms that burst with color.
Calla
Image Credit: SheKnows The name Calla is like a breath of fresh air — it’s tied to those gorgeous white flowers that thrive in marshy areas. Its connection to the Greek word kallos, meaning “beauty,” just adds another layer of depth to this lovely name.
Hesper
Image Credit: SheKnows Think of Hesper as the twinkling star that guides the way home — because the name literally means “evening” in Greek, and in mythology, Hesper personified the Evening Star, which is none other than the planet Venus shining bright in the night sky.
Ivy
Image Credit: SheKnows Ivy is a name that’s rooted in the natural world, for the climbing plant that sometimes bears tiny yellow flowers. It’s said to symbolize fidelity (because it clings firmly to whatever it’s growing on) and immortality (because it’s evergreen).
Ari
Image Credit: SheKnows We love the unisex pick Ari — it’s like a symbol of strength and resilience, two defining traits of a solarpunk world! Depending on the roots you dig into, Ari can mean “lion” in Hebrew, “eagle” in Old Norse, or “brave” in Armenian, each one evoking a powerful image.
Ciro
Image Credit: SheKnows Ciro is a name with some serious depth. It’s derived from ancient Persian, with possible meanings ranging from “young” to “humiliator of the enemy” — or is associated with kyrios, meaning “lord” in Greek. Either way, Ciro suggests a strong sense of agency and vision.
Lilian
Image Credit: SheKnows The name Lilian is as delicate and lovely as the flower itself, from the Latin word lilium, meaning “lily.” It calls to mind a gentle soul with a green thumb, cultivating lush gardens and green spaces.
Jacinthe
Image Credit: SheKnows Another true nature name, Jacinthe is derived from hyacinth: the name of the flower (or the precious stone that also bears this name), which ultimately comes from Greek hyakinthos.
Primrose
Image Credit: SheKnows The name Primrose is like a sweet harbinger of spring. Derived from the Latin prima rosa, meaning “first rose,” it suggests a connection to the delicate balance of nature and the promise of new beginnings.
Hawke
Image Credit: SheKnows The name Hawke bears a strong sense of focus, speed, and adaptability — from the hawk, of course, a bird known for its incredible vision and agility.
Flint
Image Credit: SheKnows The name Flint — from the dark quartz rock of the same name — is giving a connection to the raw materials of the earth and the spark of ingenuity just waiting to ignite.
Linden
Image Credit: SheKnows The linden tree is known for its soothing presence and beautiful blooms, and with its heart-shaped leaves, symbolizes love, fidelity, and truth in many different cultures. The name Linden is not only a great solarpunk name, it’s also a fantastic gender-neutral choice!
Zinnia
Image Credit: SheKnows The zinnia flower adds a pop of bright color and personality to any garden — and the name Zinnia is full of the same spirit! It’s named after the German botanist Johann Zinn.
Aurelian
Image Credit: SheKnows The solarpunk values of illumination, innovation, and a brighter tomorrow and perfectly reflected in the name Aurelian: it’s rooted in the Latin aureus, meaning “golden” or “gilded.”
Helios
Image Credit: SheKnows Helios is an energetic name that means sun in Greek. In Greek mythology, Helios was the sun god, who rode across the sky each day in a horse-drawn chariot.
Winter
Image Credit: SheKnows The word “winter” comes from the Old English wintor, said to mean “time of water.” As a name, Winter makes a perfect unisex choice!
Prosper
Image Credit: SheKnows From the Latin prosperus, meaning “fortunate” or “successful,” Prosper sounds a little like a Puritan virtue name — but with a hopeful and thriving vibe that’s perfectly befitting of the solarpunk aesthetic.
Avalon
Image Credit: SheKnows The name Avalon is tied to the mystical island paradise from Arthurian legend, and is said to be related to the Welsh word afal, meaning “apple,” since apples were often associated with paradise.
Solarpunk Names: Pin It!
