10 December Baby Names If You Love Winter

If you're looking for a meaningful baby name but can't seem to find a choice that feels right, focusing on a season can be an excellent and unexpected starting point. December, for example, inspires a long list of beautiful baby name options, whether your new addition is due in the colder months or you're just a big fan of the coziest season. Plus, picking a seasonally adjacent name can even be a sweet way to pay homage to another family member with a December birthday or other significant connection to the season.

Whatever the reason, from holiday-inspired monikers to names found in nature, there's no shortage of winter and December-related options for boys and girls alike. With this in mind, we've rounded up 10 options that draw from the earth, the skies, and even a few beloved holiday traditions — and each one will make you and your family think of December all year long.

This gender-neutral name, meaning "shaking tree," is both a type of tree known for its beautiful, shimmering leaves that turn a vivid shade of yellow in autumn and a popular ski resort nestled in the Colorado Rockies. As a baby name, Aspen has English origins and a classic feel, and though it's been steadily rising in recent years, it hasn't yet cracked the top 100 in popularity in the United States — making it a great pick if uniqueness is a priority. 

Another gender-neutral and nature-inspired name of English origins, Wren is linked to the small, sweet winter songbird with a dynamic vitality. It's a name that's been steadily on the rise in recent years, but it hasn't yet been overused or over-popularized in the U.S., making it a beautiful but still original option. Thanks to its monosyllabic sound, Wren is a great choice if you're looking for a December-related middle name.

With Turkish, Persian, and Azerbaijani roots, Ayaz is a popular and beloved baby boy's name that commonly means "frost," though other interpretations note it to mean "cool breeze" or "night breeze." Traditionally a Muslim name, Ayaz also has deep cultural roots and a history that can be traced back to the 11th century. In Turkish folklore, the name is also associated with calm tranquility and serenity, which are often linked to the final month of the year. 

Ivy is a classic and beloved girl's name with clear ties to the Christmas season, but it's just as evocative of a cold winter's day, thanks to visions of green English ivy trailing through the snow. Due to its evergreen nature, Ivy is said to represent eternity and fidelity, and is also linked to the winter solstice. As a plant, Ivy is well known to be versatile and vibrant, making it a worthy namesake.

Along with being the lead character of the beloved Christmas classic, "The Nutcracker," Clara also means bright and clear — two adjectives often associated with stunning snowy winter days and crisp winter skies. For a looser connection, the name can also be spelled Klara, or work as a sweet nickname for the longer Clarabelle. And as another wintertime influence, Clara is also the name of Heidi's best friend in the children's classic "Heidi" by Johanna Spyri, set in the snowy Swiss Alps.

Although historically the name of Fritz was known as a popular German diminutive of Friedrich or Frederick, it has now become a classic wintertime option for boys. This is largely thanks to the fact that Fritz is the name of Clara's playful yet mischievous little brother in "The Nutcracker." The name also means "peaceful ruler" and is linked to the quality of strength.

There's something symbolic about linking the end of the alphabet to the end of the year, and the popular Jewish name of Zev directly translates to the word "wolf" in Hebrew. These strong and powerful animals are closely tied to winter landscapes, such as mountain forests with cold, snowy conditions. But Zev also has origins in Greek mythology that link the name to the almighty Zeus. In this context, Zev can mean "to shine," "heaven," and "sky" — all words that can easily be evocative of a cold, starry night in winter.

Stemming from the Latin word "novus," meaning new, the girl's name of Nova can be linked beautifully to the fresh promise of the new year that comes after December. But Nova is also an astronomical term referring to the brightness of a star before it fades, which feels just as connected to the holiday season. This sparkling name brings to mind stars atop Christmas trees, the twinkling lights that dot the season, and the stars in the sky on a clear winter's night.

If you live in the northern hemisphere, Orion the Hunter and his famous belt are considered winter constellations. This is because in December, Earth is located between the sun and Orion, making the constellation especially visible from our vantage point. Plus, when used as a baby name, Orion evokes a strong and timeless feel that means "heaven's light," thanks to its Greek mythological ties to the son of Poseidon.

Naming your baby after Jack Frost is a sweet and classic nod to the season. While the traditional name is Hebrew in origin and means "God is gracious," Jack has become a baby boy name staple in the U.S. However, history traces the character of Jack Frost back to Viking folklore, referring to an elfin creature known for painting the land with frost. While some stories frame him as bitter and biting, it's far more fun to think of him as playful and innocent, here to beautify the chill.