A rarely heard name that was the title of a hugely popular Big Band song in the forties. Amapola, with the emphasis on the third syllable, is one flower name that has not been widely discovered.

Amapola

Anara is a name that strikes a perfect balance between simple and unusual. It's easy to understand and pronounce for a Westerner, and yet it's highly distinctive, used for only 24 girls in the US in 2021. A recommended and unusual nature option.

Anara

Unknown but eminently usable choice, especially for Jewish parents, with lovely meaning. 

Arava

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

Ardith

Azami has a prickly image and feel — reinforced by the thistle's image in Eastern mythology as one of defiance. A name that spans two widely divergent cultures, Azami might make the perfect international choice, at once unusual and easy to comprehend.

Azami

One Japanese name that feels Western, though not quite American. 

Botan

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.

Briallen

Another of the new Greek-accented Cal- names. 

Calantha

The Calytrix flower is endemic to much of Australia and is part of the myrtle family. They are commonly known as star flowers, due to their dainty (usually bright white) 5 petalled flowers. The name derives from Greek calyx "cup" + trix "hair".

Calytrix

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

Cliantha

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 <a href="https://nameberry.com/blog/zodiac-baby-names-its-scorpio-season">names for Scorpio babies</a> as well as <a href="https://nameberry.com/list/605/names-for-november-babies">names for November babies</a>. Crisanta might also give you a fresh route to nicknames like Cris, Crissy, or Cristie.

Crisanta

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. 
 Some similar choices: Diandra and Dianthe.

Diantha

Evanthe is a pretty Greek name not often heard outside its native culture.  With its stylish Ev-begining, Evanthe could make an interesting choice if you're looking for a generic flower name.

Evanthe

This Dutch girls' name meaning little flower is one of the more common Dutch-origin names used in the Netherlands today.

Floortje

This name was given a lithe and graceful image by ballerina Gelsey Kirkland, but was later far surpassed by Kelsey and Chelsea.

Gelsey

In English, this Persian name looks harsher than its sound or meaning.  But we think it has a lot of dignity; and if Dagmar can get a look it, why not Golnar? 

Golnar

Hasmik is the Armenian form of Jasmine and is frequently used in that country. 

Hasmik

Iolanthe is known primarily through the 1882  Gilbert & Sullivan operetta of that name, in which the title character is a fairy. Iolanthe is a softer version of Yolanda, and is the kind of multi-syllabic classical name once considered too weighty for a modern baby girl, but now within the realm of possibility--this one as a dramatic twist on Violet. The biggest drawback is its variety of legitimate pronunciations in English.

Iolanthe

Distinctive and charming nature name that blends elements of Jacqueline and Amanda. 

Jacaranda

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.

Jacinta

Jessamy and big sister Jessamine are all but unknown in the U.S., but make distinctive alternatives to overexposed Jessica, Jessie, and Jasmine.

Jessamy

A sweet and feminine Italian name almost unheard of here. 

Jolanda

This Thai name can get shortened to Niki or Nika.

Kannika

Kantuta is the Quechua name for the national flower of both Bolivia and Peru, which is known for flowering around Christmas time. With its vivid green foliage and extremely bright red bell-shaped flowers, the plant encapsulates many traditional Christmas symbols, making Kantuta one of the great unique <a href="https://nameberry.com/list/412/christmas-baby-names">names for Christmas babies</a>.

Kantuta

This attractive multicultural name is found in India and Finland, where it is also a word meaning "frost."

Kirsi

If it's possible for a name to be too musical, this one is. 

Lala

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. 
Derived from the Hawaiian elements of lei, meaning “flowers”, and lani, meaning “heavenly”, Leilani can literally be translated as “heavenly flower.” 
Alternatively, it might be interpreted as “royal child” because flower garlands worn round the neck are associated with children in Hawaii, and because lani is linked to majesty, and therefore high-birth and royalty. 
Leilani has been in and out of US Top 1000 since the 1930’s, with Bing Crosby’s song “Sweet Leilani” likely introducing it to many parents and inspiring their choices. 
While it did remain in use across the 20th century, it wasn’t until the mid-90’s that Leilani really began to make a steady but serious rise up the charts. Influenced perhaps by the glamor of American model Leilani Bishop, by Miss Great Britain Leilani Dowding, or by the Basic Instinct actress Leilani Sarelle, the name was in the Top 500 by 2001, and the Top 100 by 2020. 
Particularly popular in Hawaii, New Mexico, and South Carolina, Leilani is given to nearly 4000 babies in the US every year. Across the pond in the UK, it has seen sporadic usage, but recently rose to be within the Top 700. 
Connected to nature and to a place in Hawaii; familiar and well-rooted but with plenty of flair and freshness; musical and princessy with solid sounds and spark, Leilani ticks lots of boxes. With its nickname potential and popular L initial, it may well continue to climb the charts. 
Loving Leilani and want to learn more about Hawaiian names? This <a href=”https://nameberry.com/list/579/hawaiian-baby-names”> wonderful list</a> is a great place to get started, with some highlights including Iolani, Kakalina, Lillinoe and Luana.

Leilani

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.

Liliosa

Lillias is a spin on Lilias, two international members of the popular Lily family. Whatever the spelling, the name is so rare that it was given to no baby girls in the US in 2015.

Lillias

Madelief is an <a href="https://nameberry.com/lists/category/unusual-names">uncommon name</a> 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.

Madelief

This fragrant name is unfortunately just too close to the English word malady to be a good omen for English-speakers.

Maladee

The th sound both softens and complicates this Melanie relative. 

Melantha

This name has been in the Chilean popularity charts for a while. Millaray makes a good choice for those looking for a feminine floral name that manages to look and sound fresh and modern.

Millaray

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 <a href="https://nameberry.com/list/577/names-for-december-babies">names for December babies</a>.

Narcissa

This name gets given to a handful of Persian girls each year in both the USA and the UK. 

Narges

Nasrin has a strong sound and lovely floral meaning. International variants include the Turkish Nesrin and Egyptian Nesreen.

Nasrin

Has a pleasantly fizzy, effervescent feeling. 

Nizana

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. 


Ornella

A virtually unknown choice in the U.S. -- after 20 years of researching names, we've just heard of it ourselves -- but definitely attractive and usable for the baby namer who truly wants something different.

Papatya

Pema is related to the more familiar Hindu name Padma and means lotus flower. This delightful name was given to only 14 girls in the USA last year, so it's guaranteed to be a unique choice. Pema is probably most familiar to Westerners through Buddhist nun Pema Chodron and through Jetsun Pema, the Dalai Lama's sister. Note: Pema rhymes with Emma.

Pema

Known in America via the wife of Soviet head Mikhail Gorbachev; a possibility for parents of Eastern-European descent wanting to move beyond Natasha and Nadia or for parents from the Middle East looking for a name that works in both cultures.

Raisa

The most popular flower name in Israel, though that popularity does not extend to the US.

Raizel

If you're looking for an unusual alternative to all those Rose names, Rhoswen might be a good choice. This name has the soft sounds we've come to love from the Welsh language but is still not as familiar as Bronwen and Rhiannon.

Rhoswen

No, the pronunciation--ro-SHEEN--isn't immediately obvious to the non-Gaelic viewer, but the sound of this shiny Irish version of Rose is pretty enough to make it worth considering. Very popular in its native Ireland, it's one of many <a href="Irish girl names https://nameberry.com/list/753/best-irish-girl-names">Irish girl names</a> finding a wider audience. Earlier generations Anglicized at as Rosaleen, but we stay stick to the original.
 The name has been associated with a 16th-17th century poem called Roisin Dubh (Dark Little Rose), the eponymous heroine of which is usually regarded as a personification of Ireland.
 Singer Sinead O'Connor has a daughter named Róisin.

Roisin

Presidential surname adopted as a first by numbers of midcentury African-American parents. 

Roosevelt

One of many Spanish elaborations of Rosa. 

Rosalba

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.

Sakura

Both rhythmic and serene, Serenella is one of the <a href="https://nameberry.com/baby-names/505/italian-names-for-girls">Italian names for girls</a> virtually unknown in the US but definitely usable. An unusual route to Ella as a short form?

Serenella

Unfamiliar Asian choice that can work for a parent in search of something really different. 

Umeko

Commonly heard in Israel, but here it could be an unusual way to honor Grandma Rose. 

Varda

Violante

Violetta is a more vibrantly colored, feminissima form of Violet. It is the name of the heroine of the Verdi opera La Traviata--in fact Violetta was the original title of the work.

Violetta

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.

Xochitl

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. 

Yasmin

This <a href="<a href="https://nameberry.com/girls-names">unique girls' name</a> is a Latinx favorite popularized by a character on a Spanish-language soap opera. Jessenia is another variation. The name is drawn from the name of a tree in South America.

Yesenia

Zahara, a delicate but strong multicultural name, came into the spotlight when Angelina Jolie bestowed it on her Ethiopian-born daughter, and we predict other parents will adopt it as well. If you want something simpler than Zahara, consider Zara, a royal name in England--but also the name of a Spanish-based clothing store chain.


Zahara

Zaria, the name of the Nigerian capital city, could be another Z name for parents to consider. It currently ranks lower than variations Zariah and Zariyah.
 Popular 1990s sitcom The Parent 'Hood included a character by the name.

Zaria

Remember Zuzu, the adorable little girl you watch every Christmas in "It's a Wonderful Life"?  Here's a direct path to that nickname, a lot more zesty than the more familiar Susannah.

Zuzanna

peaseblossom's list "Far-flung Blossoms" of 58 great name ideas: Amapola - Zuzanna!

Far-flung Blossoms

An international bouquet. After all, a rose by any other name would smell as sweet.