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Flower and Flower Inspired Names

  1. Acacia

    • Origin:

      Greek

    • Meaning:

      "thorny"

    • Description:

      Acacia is an attractive, rarely used Greek flower name enhanced by its popular beginning-and-ending-with 'a'-construct, and is gradually beginning to catch on as a new member of the stylish girl names starting with A.
  2. Amarantha

    • Origin:

      Flower name; Greek

    • Meaning:

      "unfading"

    • Description:

      Amarantha is a rare botanical name whose mythical equivalent was believed to be immortal. The Italian and Spanish form is the somewhat-more-acccessible Amaranta.
  3. Amaryllis

    • Origin:

      Greek

    • Meaning:

      "to sparkle"

    • Description:

      If you love both unique baby names and flower names for girls, Amaryllis might be a perfect choice for you.
  4. Anahi

    • Origin:

      Tupi

    • Meaning:

      "maize or immaculate"

    • Description:

      The name of a Guaraní princess killed by Spanish conquistadors in Tupi-Guarani legend. A Ceibo tree – the national flower of Argentina – is said to have bloomed in the spot where she died.
  5. Anemone

    • Origin:

      Flower name; Greek

    • Meaning:

      "daughter of the wind"

    • Description:

      Anemone is a floral name that relates to the ancient Greek myth of the famous love story of Aphrodite and Adonis, in which Aphrodite transforms her wounded lover's blood into a flower, the crimson anemone, whose blossoms are opened by the wind — accounting for its other name, windflower.
  6. Anthea

    • Origin:

      Greek

    • Meaning:

      "flowery"

    • Description:

      This unjustly neglected floral name has a BBC accent and a Greek mythological heritage: Anthea is an epithet of Hera, the Greek queen of the gods, and her name has been used as poetic symbol of spring.
  7. Arden

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "valley of the eagle; high"

    • Description:

      Arden, the name of the magical forest in Shakespeare's As You Like It, is a stylish A name with a strong, straightforward image. Another reason to love Arden: its similarity to "ardent." Arden is solidly unisex, with the current gender distribution running about 60 percent girls and 40 percent boys.
  8. Ardith

    • Origin:

      Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "flowering field"

    • Description:

      Ethereal combination of Arden and Edith, with a sweet naturey meaning.
  9. Ash

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Asher, English

    • Meaning:

      "ash tree"

    • Description:

      Ash has Southern charm plus the arboreal-nature appeal. Plus your little boy will prize Ash as the name of the hero of the Pokemon cartoons. Ash can also be a dashing short form of Asher, Ashton, or any other "Ash" name.
  10. Aspen

    • Origin:

      Nature and place-name

    • Meaning:

      "a poplar tree that quakes in the breeze"

    • Description:

      Aspen is part of two groups of stylish and unique baby names: nature names and place-names. The name of a graceful tree in the poplar family with heart-shaped leaves so delicate they quiver in the gentlest breeze, Aspen is also the name of a trendy Colorado ski resort. Aspen started as a unisex name possibility but now is much more frequently worn by girls.
  11. Aster

    • Origin:

      English; Amharic

    • Meaning:

      "star"

    • Description:

      This is a fresh new addition to the botanical list; comedian Gilbert Gottfried made it a real bouquet when he named his daughter Lily Aster. And the name of the little girl on television's Dexter sounds like Aster, but is actually spelled Astor, which brings it more high society name. Aster relates to the Greek word for star. In Ethiopia, Aster is pronounced "ah-STAIR", and is the Amharic variation of Biblical Esther.
  12. Azalea

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "azalea, a flower"

    • Description:

      Azalea is one of the fresher flower names, along with Zinnia and Lilac, that are new to the name bouquet — in fact, it entered the Social Security list for the first time in 2012. So if Lily and Rose are too tame for you, consider this brilliant pink springtime blossom with a touch of the unusual that has been growing in popularity.
  13. Basil

    • Origin:

      Greek

    • Meaning:

      "royal"

    • Description:

      Although Greek in origin--in the fourth century, a bishop by that name established the principles of the Greek Orthodox Church--Basil for years took on the aura of aquiline-nosed upper-class Britishness of Sherlock Holmes portrayer Basil Rathbone, then spiced with the fragrant aroma of the herb that entered with the Pesto generation.
  14. Begonia

    • Origin:

      French

    • Meaning:

      "Begon's flower"

    • Description:

      Begonia is a pretty flower named for French administrator and amateur horticulturalist Michel Bégon, who was an avid naturalist but also a proponent of slavery. A rare floral choice which has never really caught on as a baby name, Begonia would certainly stand out from the Lilys and Roses.
  15. Belladonna

    • Origin:

      English from Italian

    • Meaning:

      "nightshade, beautiful lady"

    • Description:

      Literally meaning "beautiful lady" in Italian, Belladonna is the name of a poisonous flower also known as nightshade. This connection gives an otherwise flowery name a darker, more dramatic edge.
  16. Birch

    • Origin:

      Tree name

    • Description:

      Birch is a rarely used nature name that calls to mind the lovely image of the tall, strong but graceful white-barked tree.
  17. Blossom

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "to bloom"

    • Description:

      Now that parents have picked virtually every name in the garden, from the common Rose to the captivating Zinnia, some are reconsidering the old, more generic names like Flora and Posy and Blossom — which was last in favor in the 1920s and still has a Floradora showgirl aura.
  18. Briallen

    • Origin:

      Welsh

    • Meaning:

      "primrose"

    • Description:

      Unusual floral name which would be perfect for a spring baby girl, if you can pronounce the Welsh double L correctly. It's a tricky sound for non-native Welsh speakers, kind of halfway between an H and an L.
  19. Briar

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "a thorny patch"

    • Description:

      Fairy-tale memories of Sleeping Beauty inspire some parents—such as Rachel Bilson and Hayden Christensen—to call their daughters Briar Rose. But Briar plus a different middle name might work even better. It's one of the newly popular nature-word names, charting in the US for the first time in 2015 for both genders.
  20. Briony

    • Origin:

      Spelling variation of Bryony

    • Meaning:

      "to sprout"

    • Description:

      Briony may be the variation and Bryony the original, but many parents will see this as the more authentic-feeling version of this attractive botanical name. Still unusual in the U.S., Briony is in the British Top 100 and may appeal to parents as a fresh spin on Briana or Brittany or an honorific for a Brian, though it bears no relationship to the male name.
  21. Calantha

    • Origin:

      Greek

    • Meaning:

      "lovely flower"

    • Description:

      Another of the new Greek-accented Cal- names.
  22. Calla

    • Origin:

      Greek

    • Meaning:

      "beautiful"

    • Description:

      Calla is a botanical name that is much more distinctive than popular Lily or similar Callie. Rarely heard today, it did appear in the popularity lists in the last decades of the nineteenth century.
  23. Camellia

    • Origin:

      Flower name, from Czech surname

    • Meaning:

      "Kamel's flower"

    • Description:

      Camellia is a rare flower name with distinct roots related to the Camille/Camila group and has varied associations to the moon, water, wealth, and perfection. It could be thought of as a floral replacement for Amelia.
  24. Cassia

    • Origin:

      Feminine form of Cassius or Greek

    • Meaning:

      "cinnamon"

    • Description:

      Cassia is related to the cassia tree, which has yellow flowers and produces a spice that can be a substitute for cinnamon. Keziah, the name of Job’s daughter in the Old Testament, derives from the name of the plant as well. Cassia also has ties to the Ancient Roman name Cassius, an Ancient Roman family name meaning "hollow."
  25. Cataleya

    • Origin:

      Flower name, from English surname

    • Meaning:

      "Cattley's flower"

    • Description:

      Cataleya is the name of a genus of orchids that gained visibility as a baby name after it was used for the character played by Zoe Saldana in Colombiana. Part Caitlin, part Aaliyah, and part Leah, Cataleya is a trendy choice that just might transcend its momentary popularity. It is a spelling adaptation of Cattleya, named after the British horticulturalist William Cattley.
  26. Cedar

    • Origin:

      English and French from Latin tree name

    • Meaning:

      "cedar tree"

    • Description:

      Cedar is, like Ash, Oak, Pine and Ebony, one of the new tree/wood names that parents are starting to consider; this one is particularly aromatic.
  27. Celandine

    • Origin:

      English botanical name

    • Description:

      A botanical name belonging to a small yellow flower in the poppy family. The word ultimately derives from chelidon, the Ancient Greek for "swallow (bird)".
  28. Celyn

    • Origin:

      Welsh

    • Meaning:

      "holly"

    • Description:

      Celyn, which starts with the hard K sound and rhymes with Helen, is a Top 100 name in Wales although largely unknown outside that tiny, beautiful country. It is usually a masculine name.
  29. Cerelia

    • Origin:

      Latin

    • Meaning:

      "relating to springtime"

    • Description:

      Cerelia is a melodic and unusual choice, perfect for a child born in April or May. Another version is Cerella.
  30. Cerise

    • Origin:

      French

    • Meaning:

      "cherry"

    • Description:

      Infinitely preferable to the tease-inspiring English version of the word.
  31. Chamomile

    • Origin:

      Nature name

    • Meaning:

      "earth apple"

    • Description:

      A daisy-esque flower, although chamomile is much more commonly associated with the tea that's made from it.
  32. Cherry

    • Origin:

      Fruit name

    • Description:

      With other fruity names like Clementine, Olive and Plum ripe for the picking, sweet Cherry remains remarkably underused: just 27 baby girls received the name in 2017, down from 343 at its peak in 1948. The unsavory slang meaning no doubt goes a long way towards explaining its fall from grace.
  33. Chrysanthe

    • Origin:

      Feminine form of Chrysanthos,Greek

    • Meaning:

      "golden flower"

    • Description:

      A unique option for a November baby (the November birth flower is a chrysanthemum) or to honor an ancestral Chris, Chrysanthe feels more wearable than the full Chrysanthemum, despite the storybook mouse.
  34. Clematis

    • Origin:

      Flower name, from Greek

    • Meaning:

      "vine branch"

    • Description:

      Flower name that sounds a bit too much like a disease.
  35. Cliantha

    • Origin:

      Greek

    • Meaning:

      "glory-flower"

    • Description:

      A highly unusual flower name that could give you Clio for short.
  36. Clover

    • Origin:

      Flower name, from Old English

    • Meaning:

      "key"

    • Description:

      Clover is a charming, perky choice if you want to move beyond hothouse blooms like Rose and Lily, and it's recently become a new celeb favorite, chosen by both Neal McDonough and Natasha Gregson Wagner, who used it to honor her mother, Natalie Wood, one of whose most iconic films was Inside Daisy Clover.
  37. Colombine

    • Origin:

      Latin

    • Meaning:

      "dove"

    • Description:

      A beautiful English and French flower name deriving from the Latin word for dove. Sadly, in America this name is now forever linked with a tragic terrorist attack on a Colorado high school.
  38. Coral

    • Origin:

      Nature name

    • Meaning:

      "a rock like substance formed by sea creatures; pinkish-red; gemstone"

    • Description:

      A color name, a gemstone name, and an ocean-inspired choice, Coral has a lot going for it with its sharp C sounds yet sweet vintage feel. Unlike Scarlett or Violet, however, it is only quietly used in the US these days, perhaps because of its similarity to more 'dated' Carol.
  39. Crisanta

    • Origin:

      Spanish from Greek

    • Meaning:

      "golden flower, chrysanthemum"

    • Description:

      Crisanta, while not related to Christine, would make a pretty and highly unusual alternative to that tried-and-true name. Because of its relationship to the chrysanthemum, the flower of the month of November, it's one of the recommended names for Scorpio babies as well as names for November babies. Crisanta might also give you a fresh route to nicknames like Cris, Crissy, or Cristie.
  40. Caspia
    • Cosmos
      • Dahlia

        • Origin:

          Flower name, from Swedish surname

        • Meaning:

          "Dahl's flower"

        • Description:

          One of the flower names, used occasionally in Britain (where it's pronounced DAY-lee-a). It seems to have recovered from what was perceived as a slightly affected la-di-dah air. The flower was named in honor of the pioneering Swedish botanist Andreas Dahl, which means dale.
      • Daisy

        • Origin:

          Diminutive of Margaret or flower name, English

        • Meaning:

          "day's eye"

        • Description:

          Daisy, fresh, wholesome, and energetic, is one of the flower names that burst back into bloom after a century's hibernation. Originally a nickname for Margaret (the French Marguerite is the word for the flower), Daisy comes from the phrase "day's eye," because it opens its petals at daybreak.
      • Delphine

        • Origin:

          French from Greek

        • Meaning:

          "of Delphi; womb"

        • Description:

          Delphine is a sleek, chic French name with two nature associations — the dolphin and the delphinium, a bluebell-like flower, a well as a link to the ancient city of Delphi, which the Greeks believed to be the womb of the earth. All of these derive from the Greek word delphus "womb".
      • Diantha

        • Origin:

          Greek

        • Meaning:

          "divine flower"

        • Description:

          Diantha, a mythological flower of the supreme Greek god Zeus, is a melodious and more unusual cousin of Diana, heard most often in The Netherlands.
      • Eglantine

        • Origin:

          French botanical name

        • Description:

          This name for the sweetbriar shrub is a bit too reminiscent of eggplant.
      • Elanor

        • Origin:

          English, Literature, Sindarin

        • Meaning:

          "sun star"

        • Description:

          On one hand, Elanor is a spelling variation of the classic Eleanor with a slightly lighter, contemporary look about it. Usually said to derive from the Latin phrase, alia Aenor meaning "other Aenor", the exact origins and meaning of Eleanor are unknown.
      • Euthalia
        • Fern

          • Origin:

            English

          • Meaning:

            "plant name"

          • Description:

            Of all the botanicals, Fern has been one of the slowest to move back from the front parlor into the nursery, despite the appealing girl character in the children's classic Charlotte's Web. Fern was most popular from the turn of the last century through the 1940s, reaching a high of #152 in 1916. We can certainly see her rejoining the long list of popular greenery names.
        • Ffion

          • Origin:

            Welsh

          • Meaning:

            "foxglove"

          • Description:

            This unusual (to non-Welsh speakers) is near the top of the charts in Wales, carried by the recent taste for native Welsh names. Those in Wales say it's already on the way down, but for outsiders wanting to honor their Welsh heritage, it still makes an intriguing choice.
        • Fiorella

          • Origin:

            Italian

          • Meaning:

            "little flower"

          • Description:

            Not only are individual flower names more popular (and out-there) than ever, but so too are the more generic names like Florence and Flora. While brother name Fiorello became known via long-term New York Mayor LaGuardia, the lovely Fiorella has never crossed cultures. She could join Arabella as a post-Isabella ella choice.
        • Flora

          • Origin:

            Latin

          • Meaning:

            "flower"

          • Description:

            Flora, the name of the Roman goddess of flowers and spring, who enjoyed eternal youth, is one of the gently old-fashioned girls' flower names we think is due for a comeback— alongside cousins Cora and Dora. Florence, Fiorella, Fleur, and Flower are translations, but we like Flora best of all.
        • Florian

          • Origin:

            Latin

          • Meaning:

            "flowering"

          • Description:

            If Flora and Florence have returned full force, Florian, with its trendy Latinate ending, could also have a chance. Popular in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Poland, and France, St Florian was the venerated patron saint of those in danger from water and the patron saint of firefighters.
        • Florinda

          • Origin:

            Spanish and Portuguese elaboration of Flora or Florence

          • Description:

            Florinda may be taking a good thing, the name of the Roman goddess of flowers and springtime, and making it too elaborate.
        • Forsythia

          • Origin:

            Flower name, from English surname

          • Meaning:

            "Forsyth's flower"

          • Description:

            This yellow harbinger spring bloom was named for Scottish botanist William Forsyth, and is even more unusual than such species as Acacia and Azalea.
        • Freesia

          • Origin:

            Flower name, from German surname

          • Meaning:

            "Freese's flower"

          • Description:

            A rare, free-feeling flower name for the parent who wants to move far, far beyond Rose and Daisy. Named for German physician Friedrich Freese.
        • Fleur
          • Florimel
            • Fuschia
              • Gardenia

                • Origin:

                  Flower name, from English surname

                • Meaning:

                  "Garden's flower"

                • Description:

                  More uncommon and powerful than garden varieties like Rose and Lily. Named for Scottish botanist Dr Alexander Garden.
              • Gardner

                • Origin:

                  English

                • Meaning:

                  "keeper of the garden"

                • Description:

                  Surely one of the most pleasant and evocative of the occupational options.
              • Garland

                • Origin:

                  Word name

                • Description:

                  Garland is fragrant and celebratory, and also has a celebrity-tribute tie to the star of The Wizard of Oz.
              • Geranium

                • Origin:

                  Flower name, from Greek

                • Meaning:

                  "crane"

                • Description:

                  Offbeat flower name, sure to raise some eyebrows. But with Lily, Rose, and even Daisy starting to wilt, more alluring blooms such as Geranium, Magnolia, and Azalea may blossom.
              • Ginger

                • Origin:

                  English diminutive

                • Description:

                  Originally a unisex nickname for a redhead -- red hair is called "ginger" in Britain -- or for the name Virginia, Ginger perennially wears pink gingham and spike heels.
              • Gladiola

                • Origin:

                  Flower name, from Latin

                • Meaning:

                  "little sword"

                • Description:

                  An attractive update to Gladys.

                  Gladiola is a character in the 1991 novel and 1995 film How to Make an American Quilt

              • Hadassah

                • Origin:

                  Hebrew

                • Meaning:

                  "myrtle tree"

                • Description:

                  This Hebrew name of Queen Esther is well used in Israel (especially for girls born around the holiday of Purim), and in the US is the name of a Zionist women's philanthropic organization. Formerly shunned as hyper-religious, this name entered the Top 1000 in 2007 and has since climbed into the Top 700. Nickname Haddie feels like a natural companion for Addie and Maddie.
              • Hana

                • Origin:

                  Hebrew, Hawaiian, Maori, Japanese

                • Meaning:

                  "grace, work, glow, flower"

                • Description:

                  Many things to many peoples: a flower name, also spelled Hanae, to the Japanese; a Czech and Polish short form of Johana; and an alternate form of the biblical name Hannah in the US. It also means "craft, work" in Hawaiian and "glow" in Maori.
              • Hawthorne

                • Origin:

                  English

                • Meaning:

                  "lives where hawthorn hedges grow"

                • Description:

                  The great American novelist sets this above many other surnames (and nature names, for that matter), but it's still an imposing and adventurous choice. Do nicknames Hawk or Thorne make it more approachable? How about Hank or Hal instead?
              • Hazel

                • Origin:

                  English

                • Meaning:

                  "the hazelnut tree"

                • Description:

                  Hazel has a pleasantly hazy, brownish-green-eyed, old-fashioned image that more and more parents are choosing to share. Former Old Lady name Hazel reentered the popularity lists in 1998 and now is near the top of the charts.
              • Heath

                • Origin:

                  English

                • Meaning:

                  "the heathland dweller"

                • Description:

                  Rugged and outdoorsy, Heath was an obscure choice until the 1960s when it was used in the television series, The Big Valley for character Heath Barkley. It peaked in the 70s when it reached the Top 200, but has since been in decline, dropping out of the Top 1000 in 2023.
              • Heather

                • Origin:

                  English botanical name

                • Meaning:

                  "small shrub"

                • Description:

                  This flower name was one of the most popular in her class in the seventies and eighties, a fact reflected in the 1989 movie Heathers, in which every snobby girl in the high school clique bears the name. Now, though still pretty and evocative of the Scottish moors, it has faded in favor of other purplish blooms. It fell out of the Top 1000 in 2016 after having been as high as Number 3 in 1975, when it was given to close to 25,000 girls. Across the pond in the UK however, it remains near the latter end of the Top 1000.
              • Hollis

                • Origin:

                  English

                • Meaning:

                  "near the holly bushes"

                • Description:

                  Hollis is a rugged, gentle and quietly used name, given to over 200 boys and 150 girls each year in the US. In 2023, it became one of the newest entries to the US Top 1000, where it fits in with the surnames-as-first-names trend, and other familiar choices like Ellis, Silas, and Holden.
              • Holly

                • Origin:

                  English nature name

                • Description:

                  Holly ranks just in British Top 50, but it's been out of favor here since the 1970s Era of Nickname Names. Still, the name may be on her way back as a rejuvenated nature pick.
              • Hyacinth

                • Origin:

                  Flower name, from Greek

                • Meaning:

                  "blue larkspur; precious stone"

                • Description:

                  Though it may not be as sweet and gentle as, say, Violet, the purple-hued Hyacinth still might hold some appeal for the parent seeking a truly unusual flower name.
              • Ianthe

                • Origin:

                  Greek

                • Meaning:

                  "purple flower"

                • Description:

                  Like Violet, Lavender and Lilac, Ianthe is a purple flower name. Chosen by the poet Shelley for his daughter, Ianthe has a poetic, romantic, almost ethereal quality. In the ancient myth, she was the daughter of Oceanus, supreme ruler of the sea, and also a Cretan woman so beautiful that when she died the Gods made purple flowers grow around her grave.
              • Iris

                • Origin:

                  Flower name; Greek

                • Meaning:

                  "rainbow"

                • Description:

                  Iris has so much going for it. It's a fashionable flower name. It's a mythological name, from the Greek goddess of the rainbow. And it's a classic name, always ranking in the girls' Top 1000 but now at its highest point ever.
              • Ives

                • Origin:

                  English variation of Yves

                • Meaning:

                  "yew wood"

                • Description:

                  Smooth and sleek one-syllable name, sometimes suggested for Sagittarius boys.
              • Ivy

                • Origin:

                  Botanical name

                • Description:

                  The quirky, offbeat and energetic botanical name Ivy is enjoying a deserved revival, propelled even higher by its choice by high-profile parents Beyonce and Jay-Z for daughter Blue Ivy. Ivy is also traditionally used at Christmas, make this one of the perfect names for December babies.
              • Jacinta

                • Origin:

                  Spanish for Greek flower name

                • Meaning:

                  "hyacinth"

                • Description:

                  Jacinta, the Spanish word for hyacinth, is a lot softer and sweeter than the English version. The correct Spanish pronunciation is ha-SEEN-ta, though many English speakers would say ja-SIN-ta. Although the name is slightly different, Jacinta is largely associated at present with Australian-born actress Jacinda Barrett.
              • Jasmin

                • Origin:

                  Variation of Jasmine, a Persian flower name

                • Meaning:

                  "jasmine flower"

                • Description:

                  Jasmin doesn't have the grace of Jasmine (which in 2016 ranked at 122 in the US Top 1000), but it is far more preferable to the trendier versions doing the rounds like Jazmin or Jazzmyn. If you are looking for a more unusual variant try Yasmin or Jessamine.
              • Jessimine

                • Description:

                  Jessimine appears to be a creative variation of Jasmine, possibly blending elements of Jessica and Jasmine. The name Jasmine originates from Persian, referring to the fragrant flowering plant and symbolizing beauty and grace. This variant spelling gives the familiar name a unique twist while maintaining its pleasant botanical associations. Jessimine has never ranked among popular names in the United States or other English-speaking countries, making it a distinctive choice. The 'Jessi-' beginning might also evoke connections to Jessica (Hebrew for 'wealth') or Jessie, adding layers of meaning. The name has a melodic, feminine quality with its soft sounds and flowing syllables, appealing to parents seeking something recognizable yet uncommon for their daughters.

              • Jonquil

                • Origin:

                  English flower name, from Latin

                • Meaning:

                  "reed"

                • Description:

                  Jonquil is an unusual flower name that is less outlandish than Daffodil and less common than Daisy. It just might appeal to parents seeking a singular botanical option.

                  Unlike most flower names, Jonquil wasn't introduced until the 1940s, and saw some usage in the U.K. during the forties and fifties.

              • Juniper

                • Origin:

                  Latin tree name

                • Meaning:

                  "young"

                • Description:

                  Juniper is a fresh-feeling nature name -- it's a small evergreen shrub -- with lots of energy. A new favorite of fashionable parents, Juniper joins such other tree and shrub names as Hazel, Acacia, and Willow.
              • Kelila

                • Origin:

                  Hebrew

                • Meaning:

                  "laurel, crown"

                • Description:

                  Kelila, which can also be spelled Kelilah, is a more distinctive and attractive Kayla relative.
              • Lace

                • Description:

                  Lace is a delicate feminine name derived from the English word for the ornate fabric made from intricately looped threads. As a given name, it emerged primarily in the late 20th century when word names and short, distinctive choices gained popularity. The name evokes images of elegance, intricacy, and feminine beauty. Lace has never been a common choice for girls, maintaining its status as a rare and distinctive option. It falls into the category of subtle virtue or aesthetic names, alongside choices like Grace, Pearl, or Ruby. The name's brevity gives it a modern feel, while its meaning connects to traditions of craftsmanship and refinement. For parents seeking a simple yet uncommon name with graceful associations, Lace offers an understated elegance.
              • Laurel

                • Origin:

                  Latin

                • Meaning:

                  "laurel tree"

                • Description:

                  Laurel takes Laura back to its meaning in nature, resulting in a gentle, botanical option. Even more directly than Laura, Laurel relates back to the laurel wreath signifying success and peace in ancient Greece and Rome.
              • Lavender

                • Origin:

                  English

                • Meaning:

                  "purple flower"

                • Description:

                  Lavender lags far behind sweet-smelling purple-hued sister names Violet and Lila, but is starting to get some enthusiastic attention from cutting-edge namers along with other adventurous nature names like Clementine and Marigold.
              • Leilani

                • Origin:

                  Hawaiian

                • Meaning:

                  "heavenly flower"

                • Description:

                  Lyrical, lively and bold, Leilani is a name that feels fresh, floral, and summery. Sharing sounds with the popular Lillian, Layla and Luna, Leilani is a fairly recent addition to the US Top 100.
              • Lilac

                • Origin:

                  English, from Persian

                • Meaning:

                  "bluish or lilac"

                • Description:

                  Could Lilac be the next Lila or Lily or Violet? It certainly has a lot going for it--those lilting double 'l's, the fabulous fragrance it exudes, and the fact that it's a color name as well, providing a ready made nursery theme. In addition, the lilac is symbolic of first love.
              • Liliosa

                • Origin:

                  Spanish

                • Meaning:

                  "lily"

                • Description:

                  Liliosa, one of the most extravagant forms of the ever-more-popular and varied Lily family, is an ancient saint's name that's a perfect candidate for revival by parents who love the double-L flower name trend but want a distinctive variation. Saint Liliosa was one of the martyrs of 9th century Cordoba, along with her husband Felix and cousins Aurelius and Natalia — all names newly fashionable in the modern world.
              • Lily

                • Origin:

                  English flower name

                • Meaning:

                  "lily"

                • Description:

                  Lily is the most popular of the popular delicate century-old flower names now making a return, thanks to its many irresistible attributes: a cool elegance and a lovely sound, a symbol of purity and innocence, and a role in Christian imagery.
              • Linden

                • Origin:

                  Variation of Lyndon

                • Meaning:

                  "linden tree hill"

                • Description:

                  The graceful, natural image of the verdant shade tree transcends any connection with President Johnson.
              • Linnea

                • Origin:

                  Swedish

                • Meaning:

                  "twinflower, lime tree"

                • Description:

                  Linnea is an attractive Scandinavian name that derives from the renowned 18th century Swedish botanist Carl Linnaeus, who developed the Linnean system of classifying plants and animals.
              • Lotus

                • Origin:

                  Greek

                • Meaning:

                  "lotus flower"

                • Description:

                  Lotus is one of the most languorous of the flower names, with intriguing significance in both Buddhism and Hinduism, symbolizing purity, grace and spiritual growth — not to mention a familiar yoga position.
              • Lowri

                • Origin:

                  Welsh, from Latin

                • Meaning:

                  "laurel"

                • Description:

                  This unusual and appealing form of Laura is popular in sections of Wales.
              • Lucerne

                • Origin:

                  Swiss place-name or Latin

                • Meaning:

                  "lamp"

                • Description:

                  Projects the calm and pristine image of the picturesque Swiss lake and mountain town.
              • Lupin

                • Origin:

                  Flower, animal, and literary name, from Latin

                • Meaning:

                  "pertaining to the wolf"

                • Description:

                  Lupin is an unusual flower name with roots in Old French, from the Latin lupinus, meaning "pertaining to the wolf". In the literary world, it's the surname of Remus Lupin, a popular character in the Harry Potter franchise and a werewolf.
              • Lobelia
                • Madelief

                  • Origin:

                    Dutch, '"daisy"

                  • Meaning:

                    "daisy"

                  • Description:

                    Madelief is an uncommon name but not unheard of in the Netherlands, where 123 girls were called Madelief in one recent year. With its soft sounds and similarities to all those "Madeleine" type names as well as names ending in "eef/eev" sounds (Aoife, Eve, Genevieve), Madelief has potential in English-speaking countries to be a fresh and pleasant change from Daisy, Margaret and Madeleine.
                • Maelys

                  • Origin:

                    French or Breton

                  • Meaning:

                    "chief or prince"

                  • Description:

                    Another feminine form of the old saint's name Mael. Spelled Maëlys, it is a very popular name in France today.
                • Magnolia

                  • Origin:

                    Flower name, from French surname

                  • Meaning:

                    "Magnol's flower"

                  • Description:

                    Magnolia, a sweet-smelling Southern belle of a name made famous via the iconic Edna Ferber novel and musical Showboat, is one of the latest wave of botanical names, along with unexpected blossoms Azalea and Zinnia. It is named for French botanist Pierre Magnol.
                • Maple

                  • Origin:

                    English tree name from Latin

                  • Meaning:

                    "maple tree; tree of the Acer genus"

                  • Description:

                    Maple is one of those sweet-spot word names that sounds so almost name-like that it doesn't feel outlandish or strange, despite its relative newness as a given name. Just as Juniper is adjacent to June or Pippa, Clover like Chloe or Clara and Ember like Emma or Ebba, Maple is enough like Mabel, Maisie and Mae that it blends in well and has a touch of borrowed vintage charm.
                • Marguerite

                  • Origin:

                    French variation of Margaret; also a flower name

                  • Meaning:

                    "pearl; daisy"

                  • Description:

                    Marguerite is a classic French name with a remnant of old-fashioned Gallic charm; and is also a variety of daisy. Chic again in Paris, it's definitely ripe for revival here.
                • Marigold

                  • Origin:

                    Flower name, from English

                  • Meaning:

                    "golden flower"

                  • Description:

                    Marigold, once found almost exclusively in English novels and aristocratic nurseries, is beginning to be talked about and considered here. It has a sweet, sunny, quirky feel. The marigold was the symbol of the Virgin Mary.
                • Melantha

                  • Origin:

                    Greek

                  • Meaning:

                    "dark flower"

                  • Description:

                    The th sound both softens and complicates this Melanie relative.
                • Myrtle

                  • Origin:

                    Greek botanical name

                  • Description:

                    Long in our category of so-far-out-it-will-always-be-out category, once seen as a gum-cracking 1940's telephone operator, we think it's time to reassess Myrtle, and look at is as a nature name, a plant with pink or white aromatic berries. Ruled by Venus, myrtle is a plant associated with love, peace, fertility and youth.
                • Narcissa

                  • Origin:

                    Greek

                  • Meaning:

                    "daffodil"

                  • Description:

                    This Greek flower and mythological choice doesn't make it into the pantheon of possibilities because of its association with narcissism. But narcissa is December's flower of the month, so Narcissa and Daffodil theoretically make perfect names for December babies.
                • Nerine

                  • Origin:

                    Greek mythology name

                  • Description:

                    A new brand of eyedrop.
                • Oakley

                  • Origin:

                    English

                  • Meaning:

                    "oak wood or clearing"

                  • Description:

                    As sturdy as Oak, but with stronger roots as a first name, Oakley ticks lots of boxes for modern trends. With its unisex vibe, it's nature-based meaning, it's surname-y feel, and it's popular -lee ending, it's not wonder Oakley is on the rise.
                • Oleander

                  • Origin:

                    Botanical name

                  • Description:

                    The name of this pretty Mediterranean shrub is reminiscent of popular classic Oliver, and interestingly its etymology appears to overlap too: oleander most likely derives from Greek rhododendron "rose tree", with its form successively influenced by laurea "laurel" and olea "olive tree".
                • Orchid

                  • Origin:

                    From Greek

                  • Meaning:

                    "orchid flower"

                  • Description:

                    Orchid is a hothouse bloom that has not been plucked by many modern baby namers — yet. In the language of flowers, orchids symbolize love, beauty, and sophistication.
                • Ornella

                  • Origin:

                    Italian

                  • Meaning:

                    "flowering ash tree"

                  • Description:

                    Like many a popular name, Ornella is a theatrical creation. Italian playwright Gabriele d'Annunzio created this name for his dramatic heroine in the 1904 play La Figlia di Iorio. Ornella is a feminization of the orno or ornello, which is the Italian word for the Fraxinus Ornus, a type of tree which produces such sweet sap that it was compared to biblical manna.
                • Palma

                  • Origin:

                    Latin place-name, Spanish, Italian, Croatian

                  • Meaning:

                    "palm"

                  • Description:

                    Palma is an appealing Latin name that's both geographical -- it's the romantic city on the Spanish island of Majorca -- and botanical, relating to the palm frond. Sometimes given to girls born on Palm Sunday, it appeared in the US Top 1000 in the early 20th century. Its elaborated form is Palmina.
                • Peony

                  • Origin:

                    Flower name; Latin

                  • Meaning:

                    "healing"

                  • Description:

                    One of the rarest of the floral names, though not without some teasing potential. Peony is a historical 1948 novel by Pearl S. Buck.
                • Petal

                  • Origin:

                    English from Greek

                  • Meaning:

                    "leaf"

                  • Description:

                    Petal is the soft and sweet-smelling name of a character in the novel and film, The Shipping News. With the rise of such flower names as Poppy and Posy, we believe Petal — down-to-earth yet romantic — has its own appealingly distinctive style.
                • Petunia

                  • Origin:

                    English

                  • Meaning:

                    "trumpet-shaped flower"

                  • Description:

                    Literary heritage: the "Loony Tunes" girlfriend of Porky Pig. But with the increasing popularity of all kinds of unusual botanical names, Petunia may be a name we start to hear more of. Perhaps-more-pleasing Petunia alternatives: Petal, Posy, Poppy.
                • Phyllida

                  • Origin:

                    Greek variation of Phyllis

                  • Meaning:

                    "green bough"

                  • Description:

                    Phyllida, a "Masterpiece Theatre"-style appellation, seems far fresher and more unusual than Phyllis. It's green-related meaning makes it one of the prime names that mean new beginnings.
                • Plum

                  • Origin:

                    Fruit name

                  • Description:

                    British-born novelist Plum Sykes has taken this rich, fruity name out of the produce section and put it into the baby name basket. It's more appealing than Apple, more presentable than Peaches. The French equivalent, Prune, is very fashionable there but would not fly with English speakers.
                • Pomeline

                  • Origin:

                    French, related to "apple"

                  • Meaning:

                    "apple"

                  • Description:

                    A rarely heard--even in France--name, most prominent as the third name of Charlotte Marie Pomeline Casiraghi, the daughter of Princess Caroline of Monaco and granddaughter of Grace Kelly.
                • Poppy

                  • Origin:

                    English from Latin

                  • Meaning:

                    "red flower"

                  • Description:

                    Poppy, unlike most floral names which are sweet and feminine, has a lot of spunk. Long popular throughout the rest of the English-speaking world, Poppy is finally starting to rise toward the top in the US, where it entered the Top 1000 for the first time in 2016.
                • Posey

                  • Origin:

                    English

                  • Meaning:

                    "a bunch of flowers"

                  • Description:

                    Posey is fashionable in England, a country of gardeners, but this pretty bouquet-of-flowers name is only starting to be heard here.
                • Primrose

                  • Origin:

                    English flower name

                  • Meaning:

                    "first rose"

                  • Description:

                    A quaint and quirky flower name, until recently considered a bit too prim for most American classrooms but brought back to life in recent years by the attractive character of Primrose "Prim" Everdeen in the Hunger Games series. In the Top 300 girl names in England and Wales and on Nameberry, Primrose remains rare in the US, but is made more accessible by a raft of sweet nickname options, including Rosie and Posy.
                • Pren
                  • Rose

                    • Origin:

                      Latin

                    • Meaning:

                      "rose, a flower"

                    • Description:

                      Rose is derived from the Latin rosa, which referred to the flower. There is also evidence to suggest it was a Norman variation of the Germanic name Hrodohaidis, meaning "famous type," and also Hros, "horse". In Old English it was translated as Roese and Rohese.
                  • Rosemary

                    • Origin:

                      Latin or English

                    • Meaning:

                      "dew of the sea, or rosemary (herb)"

                    • Description:

                      Despite appearances, Rosemary is not a "smoosh" name, not even a traditional one. The name derives from two Latin terms "Ros" meaning ‘dew’ and "Marinus" "meaning "of the sea". The plant was termed ‘dew of the sea’ due to its salty texture and its ability to thrive in coastal climes. Only after the Middle Ages did the English names of Rose and Mary become interchanged with the name Rosmarinus and give us the modern name we use today.
                  • Rowan

                    • Origin:

                      Scottish and Irish

                    • Meaning:

                      "rowan tree; little redhead"

                    • Description:

                      With its gentle sounds and earthy vibes, the name Rowan feels like a fusion of different styles. A word name, a surname, and a gender-neutral name, Rowan is rustic but trendy, blending the vibes of both Owen and Oakley.
                  • Rowan

                    • Origin:

                      Scottish and Irish

                    • Meaning:

                      "rowan tree; little redhead"

                    • Description:

                      Stylish, gentle, and rustic at the same time, Rowan is a name that falls into various categories. Unisex and cool, mystical and woodsy, with the feel of both Rose and Riley, Rowan is a fresh but familiar choice.
                  • Rue

                    • Origin:

                      Botanical names or word name

                    • Meaning:

                      "herb; regret"

                    • Description:

                      Rue has gone from Golden Girls actress to Hunger Games heroine to a fresh alternative to beloved middle name Rose. This botanical name is also a coincidental double word name, meaning "regret" in English and "street" in French. Despite these unfortunate secondary meanings, Rue has real potential to be one of the most popular new middle names for girls.
                  • Rhosyn
                    • Saffron

                      • Origin:

                        Spice name

                      • Description:

                        Spice names are increasingly appealing to the senses of prospective parents; this one, belonging to a precious spice derived from the crocus has a vaguely orange-scented-incense sixties feel.
                    • Sage

                      • Origin:

                        Herb name, Latin

                      • Meaning:

                        "wise and knowing"

                      • Description:

                        Sage is an evocatively fragrant herbal name that also connotes wisdom, giving it a double advantage. It entered the Top 1000 at about the same time for both genders in the early 1990s, but it has pulled ahead for the girls. Toni Collette named her daughter Sage Florence.
                    • Sakura

                      • Origin:

                        Japanese

                      • Meaning:

                        "cherry blossom"

                      • Description:

                        Lovely Japanese name that would certainly be appreciated in Europe and the U.S. It was rarely used in Japan until the 1990s, and draws its current popularity from the fact that it is deeply connected to Japanese traditional culture without sounding frumpy and old-fashioned.
                    • Salvia

                      • Origin:

                        Latin

                      • Meaning:

                        "whole, healthy"

                      • Description:

                        Another name for the herb sage -- which sounds younger and more modern than this version.
                    • Senna

                      • Origin:

                        Botanical name; Arabic

                      • Meaning:

                        "brightness"

                      • Description:

                        Senna is a flowering bush common in the tropics, with bright yellow flowers. In herbal medicine, Senna has gained some notice as the active ingredient in so-called "dieter's teas," which works mainly as a laxative. While that is a less-than-savory association, Senna has a pretty sound and is a fresh entry in the flourishing botanical names genus.
                    • Sharon

                      • Origin:

                        Hebrew

                      • Meaning:

                        "a plain"

                      • Description:

                        This Old Testament place name was in the Top 10 fifty years ago, but now Sharon, along with sound-alike Karen, have fallen out of favor.
                    • Shasta

                      • Origin:

                        Place-name, Sanskrit

                      • Meaning:

                        "teacher, guide, ruler"

                      • Description:

                        A Californian mountain name revered by healers and spiritualists, Shasta has a New Age, cowboy feel. The mountain takes its name from the Indigenous American tribe, the Shasta people - though this name is believed to have been given to them either by white people, or by the nearby Klamath people.
                    • Snowdrop

                      • Description:

                        Snowdrop is a delicate nature-inspired feminine name derived from the early-blooming white flower that often emerges while snow still covers the ground. This botanical name symbolizes hope, purity, and resilience as snowdrops are among the first flowers to bloom at winter's end. Though uncommon as a given name, Snowdrop belongs to the category of modern flower and nature names that have gained popularity in recent decades. The name carries a whimsical, ethereal quality that appeals to parents drawn to nature-themed names. Snowdrop combines the purity associations of snow with the gentle beauty of a small flower, creating a name that's both distinctive and meaningful.
                    • Sorrel

                      • Origin:

                        Botanical name and French

                      • Meaning:

                        "reddish brown"

                      • Description:

                        A fragrant herbal and color name that could make a sensitive, distinctive choice.
                    • Spring

                      • Origin:

                        Word name

                      • Description:

                        Spring doesn't sound half as contemporary as Winter, which has become the cool season name.
                    • Susan

                      • Origin:

                        English diminutive of Susannah, Hebrew

                      • Meaning:

                        "lily"

                      • Description:

                        Although Susan had her heyday from the thirties to the sixties, and is now common among moms and new grandmas, and though most modern parents would prefer Susanna/Susannah, we have spotted some flickers of interest in a revival. It still retains a certain black-eyed-Susan freshness.
                    • Tansy

                      • Origin:

                        Flower name, from Greek

                      • Meaning:

                        "immortality"

                      • Description:

                        Tansy is a flower name rarer than Rose, livelier than Lily and a lot less teasable than Pansy.
                    • Teague

                      • Origin:

                        Scottish

                      • Meaning:

                        "bard, poet"

                      • Description:

                        If you like the idea of Tadhg but don't feel like the spelling works where you are, Teague might work as an alternative. It could also fit the bill if you're seeking a unique single-syllable first or middle name for your son.
                    • Tulip

                      • Origin:

                        Flower name, from Persian

                      • Meaning:

                        "turban"

                      • Description:

                        One of the most unusual flower names, Tulip is cute but tough to pull off as a first. It has some celebrity cred via Charlie Tamara Tulip, twin daughter of Rebecca Romijn and Jerry O'Connell. It derives from Persian dulband "turban", due to the distinctive shape of the flowers.
                    • Verbena

                      • Origin:

                        Latin

                      • Meaning:

                        "sacred foliage"

                      • Description:

                        This name of a showy, lemony plant makes an unusual entry into the name garden.
                    • Violet

                      • Origin:

                        English from Latin

                      • Meaning:

                        "purple"

                      • Description:

                        Violet is soft and sweet, yet with a vivacious edge. Today, Violet is the top flower name for girls, outranking Lily and Iris in the Top 100, and the second most popular color name for girls after Scarlett.
                    • Viridiana

                      • Origin:

                        Latin

                      • Meaning:

                        "green"

                      • Description:

                        Viridiana is a frillier version of the medieval name Viridis, meaning green. Viridiana briefly made it into the top 1000 in the US in the 1990s.
                    • Waverly

                      • Origin:

                        English

                      • Meaning:

                        "meadow of quivering aspens"

                      • Description:

                        Waverly, with its literary resonance and lilting three-syllable sound, could well become the next generation's successor to Kimberly. Its upper-crusty surname feel places it among the new stylish English names for girls, successors to Ashley and Whitney.
                    • Willow

                      • Origin:

                        English nature name

                      • Meaning:

                        "willow tree"

                      • Description:

                        An ancient tree that figures in literature from Shakespeare to Harry Potter and is believed to possess magical powers, Willow is a lovely name, as graceful as its inspiration.
                    • Wisteria

                      • Origin:

                        Flower name, from English surname

                      • Meaning:

                        "Wister's flower"

                      • Description:

                        A frilly southern-accented flower name yet to be planted on many birth certificates. In the language of flowers, the wisteria is a symbol of devotion. It is named for American horticulturalist John Caspar Wister.
                    • Xochitl

                      • Origin:

                        Nahuatl, Aztec

                      • Meaning:

                        "flower"

                      • Description:

                        Xochitl is a Nahuatl or Aztec floral name used in southern Mexico and pronounced SO-chee-tl or SHO-chee-tl, although sometimes the "tl" at the end is not pronounced. Internet entrepreneur Xochi Birch is probably the best-known bearer in the US – except for the Xochitl brand tortilla chips. Definitely among the most intriguing international flower names and a beautiful choice for those looking to honor Nahuatl heritage.
                    • Yarrow

                      • Origin:

                        Botanical name, English

                      • Meaning:

                        "rough stream"

                      • Description:

                        Highly unusual as a baby name for either gender, Yarrow is an herb that grows wild and has long been used for its medicinal property. It's named for the mythical Achilles, who was said to carry yarrow into battle.
                    • Yasmin

                      • Origin:

                        Persian

                      • Meaning:

                        "jasmine flower"

                      • Description:

                        This name, whose sweet and fragrant floral essence has always been widespread across the Near Eastern world, has now landed on US popularity lists in a variety of spellings. It's been dropping precipitously over the past few years, though, perhaps due to a combination of tensions in the Middle East and the fading fashion status of Jasmine itself.
                    • Zinnia

                      • Origin:

                        Flower name, from German surname

                      • Meaning:

                        "Zinn's flower"

                      • Description:

                        Zinnia is an unusual floral choice with a bit more edge and energy than most and beginning to find its way onto namers' wish lists of botanical possibilities. Named after an eighteenth German botanist called Johann Gottfried Zinn, it appears in Roald Dahl's Matilda as the young protagonist's mother.