Names That Mean Flowering

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.

Appearing in some versions of the Old Testament, Ardith sounds like an ethereal combination of Arden and Edith, with a sweet naturey meaning. Also appearing as Ardeth and Ardath, it was first considered as a first name after the writer Marie Corelli used Ardath as the name of her 1889 novel. It was at its peak in the 1930s, when it was given to 176 girls.

This Dutch favorite was the name of five Counts of Holland and many notable Renaissance artists, including still life painter Floris van Dijck. It is a variation of Florence, which was historically a unisex name.

Florence is back, and the adorable short form Florie (or Flory) is too. Or you could just name her Flora and be done with it.

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.

Historically, the French and English name Florence was used for both sexes. And Florent is a steady classic in France, booming there in the 1980s. Maybe it's time to import it, and show that boys can be floral too.

Florence is back, and the adorable short form Flory (or Florie) is too. Or you could just choose Flora and cover all bases with one stroke.

A form of Ardath (and Ardith), a Biblical place name that appears in some versions of the Old Testament. It sounds similar to the stylish Arden and vintage Edith, and has an appearing floral meaning.

Quirky Italian baby name that works for any gender.

Polish version of Florian.