Don’t blame us for counting the days until the holiday season, which kicks off with Halloween in the best season of all: fall! Pumpkin patches, apple picking, PSLs, the sound of crunching leaves as you walk—fall is honestly the happiest time of the year. And it’s even more exciting if you’ll be meeting your little one in the months of September, October, November or (early) December.

If this is you, then it’s time to start thinking about possible baby name contenders. So, why not a name inspired by the season they’re going to be born into? Despite what you might think, there are a lot more fall-inspired names out there besides Autumn. (Although, Autumn is a lovely name!)

Fall baby names

Names that mean thankful

One of the biggest themes of the fall months and the whirlwind holiday season is the idea of being thankful. Here are a few picks for baby names that mean just that.

1. Asher

You might recognize this name from popular shows like “Gossip Girl.” It has a Hebrew origins and the meaning pairs well with the season to be thankful: fortunate, blessed, happy one.

2. Benedict

Latin for “blessed.” Fans of the hit Netflix show, “Bridgerton” will recognize it as the second Bridgerton brother’s name. And, of course, there’s the British actor, Benedict Cumberbatch.

3. Zendaya

Whether you’ve seen her on the show “Euphoria,” the Spiderman movies or drooled over her red carpet fashion (no, just me?) the actress has made this African name famous alongside with her. It means, “to give thanks.”

4. Hannie

This German-rooted name would make a cute nickname-name for your little one. It means merciful or thankful.

Names inspired by colors

What’s fall without the gorgeous turning of the leaves? Fall baby names inspired by the changing colors are just as beautiful as their namesake.

1. Red: Rowan, Rose, Ruby, Scarlett, Rory and Phoenix

2. Yellow/gold: Aurelia, Zari, Paz, Tawny and Blaine

3. Green: Silas, Esme, Olive, Sylvia and Forest

Birthstone names

If birthstones and gemstones are more your thing then you might consider these options.

1. September: Sapphire

2. October: Opal or Tourmaline

3. November: Topaz or Citrine

Unique fall baby names inspired by autumn

1. Aki
Japanese word for “fall.” It also has Finnish roots with the meaning, “born in the fall” or “ancestor.”

2. Jora

Hebrew word for “autumn rain.”

3. Teresa

Of Spanish, Italian and Portuguese origin, meaning “to harvest.”

4. Persephone and Demeter

Greek goddesses of the harvest.

A version of this post was published September 15, 2021. It has been updated.