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Willow? Ashland? Cedar? So many PNW names to choose from! Photo: iStock
Looking for a unique baby name inspired by the Pacific Northwest? Whether you’re drawn to the mountains, forests or cities, there’s a name that captures the spirit of our special region.
From nature-inspired choices to names rooted in history and local landmarks, we’ve rounded up over 60 baby names that celebrate everything we love about Washington, Oregon and beyond. The names are alphabetized but not separated by gender, since many make a great name for absolutely any baby.
Get ready to discover the perfect name for your little one that’s as unique as the Pacific Northwest itself!
Nature
We’re known for being outdoorsy here in the Pacific Northwest, and for good reason. With quick access to mountains, forests and the oceans, there is something for everyone to enjoy outside. If the wilds of the Pacific Northwest have a hold on you, you’ll love these nature-inspired baby names:
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Adam |
Meadow |
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Alder |
Rainier |
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Cedar |
Rainn |
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Douglas |
River |
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Fern |
Rose |
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Flora |
Sage |
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Forest |
Si |
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Hazel |
Skye |
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Helen |
Storm |
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Juniper |
Willow |
Cities and counties
While the outdoors are beautiful, the Pacific Northwest has some great cities too. If a specific city in the Pacific Northwest holds a special place in your heart, why not consider it as a name for your little bundle of joy? The following names are cities, islands and counties in Washington and Oregon:
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Ashland |
Jackson |
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Astoria |
Kennewick |
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Aurora |
King |
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Blake |
Lincoln |
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Edmonds |
Monroe |
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Eugene |
Olympia |
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Everett |
Quincy |
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Florence |
Roslyn |
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Franklin |
Sherman |
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Grant |
Vashon |
Neighborhoods and streets
If you are looking for an even more local angle, a neighborhood or street name might be the answer.
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Anne |
Magnolia |
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Elliott |
Pearl |
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Hawthorne |
Phinney |
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Kenton |
Ravenna |
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Laurel |
Roy |
Famous faces
The Pacific Northwest has been (and continues to be) home to many notable folks. Check out these names if you are looking for inspiration from some of our most well-known residents:
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Beverly (Cleary) — Children’s book author from the Portland area, famous for the “Ramona” series |
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Eddie or Edward (Vedder) — Lead singer of the ‘90s Seattle-based band Pearl Jam |
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George (Washington) — The first President of the United States |
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Jimi (Hendrix) — Famous musician born (and buried) in Seattle |
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Josephine (Corliss Preston) — An early leader of public education and the first woman to hold public office in Washington |
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Kurt (Cobain) — Lead singer of the Seattle ‘90s grunge band Nirvana |
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Lewis or Clark — Famous explorers whose expedition took them all the way to the Pacific Ocean |
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Marjorie (Pitter King) — The first African American woman to serve as a legislator in Washington state |
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Megan (Rapinoe) or Sue (Bird) — Seattle’s most famous sports couple. Bird was a star basketball player for the Seattle Storm and Rapinoe was an award-winning soccer player for the Seattle Reign. |
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Nettie (J. Craig Asberry) — Opened the Tacoma NAACP chapter, the Washington State Federation of Colored Women, the Allen Red Cross and more |
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Ryan (Lewis) — A musician and record producer based in Seattle known for his collaboration with Macklemore |
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Vi (Hilbert) — Spent her life preserving the Lushootseed language, a Central Coast Salish language spoken by tribes in and around the Puget Sound region |
