Baby names for September: autumn-inspired, unique & gender-neutral
4 min readDid you know that September is one of the busiest birth months in a lot of English-speaking countries? No wonder so many parents are on the hunt for the perfect baby name right around now.
So, whether you’re expecting your own September baby or know someone who’s counting down the days: you’re definitely not alone right now. With this being the case, you probably already know just how much there is to do in these final weeks: getting the nursery ready, skimming through one parenting guide after another, and slowly narrowing down that shortlist of names.
Some parents have known their favourite name for months, whilst others are still working through a long shortlist, trying to spot the one that just feels ‘right’. Either way, it’s a big decision – and it’s completely normal if it takes a while to get there.
If you’re still on the hunt for the perfect name for your little one, or you simply love browsing through names for fun, we’ve put together a list for everyone. Whether you’re drawn to something autumnal, a hidden gem, or a name that works beautifully for any gender – there’s something here for you. Happy reading!
September baby names inspired by autumn
These names either carry a direct link to the season, nod to something distinctly autumnal, or simply capture the calm, cosy mood of autumn.
Girls:
Sienna – named after the Italian city of Siena, known for its warm reddish-brown pigment that artists have used since the Renaissance
Autumn – about as directly seasonal as it gets, and genuinely popular in both the US and UK right now
Juniper – a nature-based name after the evergreen shrub, whose berries actually ripen in autumn and winter
Selma – of Arabic or Scandinavian origin, meaning “peace,” or used as a short form of Anselma
Hazel – hazelnuts are harvested in late summer and early autumn, and the warm, earthy shade of “hazel brown” echoes the season’s colour palette perfectly.
Boys:
Clay – an earthy, grounded name that fits right in with autumn’s warm, brown tones
Silas – from the Latin silva, meaning “forest”
Oskar/Oscar – usually traced back to Old Norse for “spear of the gods,” though some sources link it to a Gaelic root meaning “deer-lover” – a nice nod to the deer rutting season that fills autumn woodlands with sound. It’s also a genuine UK top 10 favourite.
Bruno – Old High German for “the brown one,” echoing the colour of fallen leaves, chestnuts and forest floors
Casper – Persian in origin, meaning “treasurer” or “bringer of treasure,” and unmistakably tied to the spooky, ghost-story charm of the Halloween season
Unique baby names that still feel timeless
For parents who want a name that stands out but doesn’t feel forced.
Girls:
Phia – a short form of Sophia, meaning “wisdom”
Mikala – a variant of Michaela, tracing back to the Hebrew “who is like God?”
Laetitia – Latin for “joy” or “happiness”
Anouk – a Dutch and French diminutive of Anna, meaning “grace”
Malin – a Scandinavian variant of Magdalene, “woman from Magdala”
Boys:
Gino – an Italian short form of Luigi or Eugenio, meaning “famous warrior” or “well-born”
Fenn – English in origin, referring to someone who lived near a marsh
Linus – Greek for “flax,” known from the beloved Peanuts character and tech pioneer Linus Torvalds
Ash – simply English for “ash tree,” with a natural, autumnal connection through the tree itself
Jorik – a Dutch-Frisian form of George, meaning “farmer”
Gender-neutral baby names
Perfect if you want a name that works beautifully for any gender – and ideal if you’re planning to keep the surprise until the big day.
Toni/Tony – a short form of Anthony or Antonia
Mika – short for Michael or Michaela. Popularised in part by Finnish Formula 1 driver Mika Häkkinen.
Charlie – a short form of Charles or Charlotte
Robin/Robyn – originally meaning “bright fame.” The spelling can subtly shift the gender association: Robin tends to read as more masculine, Robyn as more feminine – think of Swedish singer Robyn, or Rihanna’s birth name, Robyn Rihanna Fenty.
Sage – from the Latin salvia, tied to the herb known for its associations with wisdom
So, did any of these catch your eye, or maybe even make it onto your list? Great – then you can cross one more thing off that to-do list. But amidst all the planning, don’t forget to make time for the cosy moments too – because that’s what these weeks are really about.
And what could be cosier than curling up on a windy, rainy autumn day with your little one and a good book? Especially one that features the name you so lovingly chose for them.
With our book ‘Welcome to the World’, your little explorer gets to discover the world while getting to know their own name – all snuggled up with mum or dad. Take a look and personalise it for your newest arrival.
Wishing you many cosy reading moments together, and all the joy in the world as you search for the perfect name!