April Showers Bring Flowery Baby Names and More
April showers bring May flowers…and April baby names. In this second month of Spring, nature is in bloom and so we take name inspiration from one of the friendliest of flowers, from those life-sustaining showers, plus the celebration of Easter, and some notable namesakes with April ties. Find a name for your April baby in this eclectic bouquet of appealing and resonant names.
The month name April, which derives from the Latin aprilis, meaning ‘to open’, has several attractive variations including the Spanish Abril, Cornish Ebrel, Welsh Ebrill, and the lovely French Avril, which easily fits in with more currently popular Av-beginning names such as Ava and Avery. Only 129 little girls were given the name Avril last year; it is sure to remind you of Canadian singer Avril Lavinge who made this a household name with the debut of her first album in 2002.
April’s birth flowers are the sweet pea and the daisy. Considered one of the freshest and friendliest of flowers, daisies are also a symbol of purity and innocence. Having originated as a nickname for Margaret, it ranked at Number 183 in popularity last year. Daisy Buchanan was the glamorous love interest in F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby. Olivia Wilde and Jason Sudeikis have a daughter named Daisy Josephine and chef Jamie Oliver chose the combo Daisy Boo for one of his daughters.
Quintessential Renaissance man Leonardo da Vinci, famous for, among many other accomplishments, the paintings, ‘Mona Lisa’ and ‘The Last Supper’, was born Leonardo di ser Piero da Vinci on April 15, 1452. A name associated in modern times with Leonardo DiCaprio, this would make an ideal choice for an April baby born to artistic parents. It easily lends itself to the attractive nickname Leo and peaked last year in popularity when it reached spot Number 103.
Three-time Golden Globe-winning actor Omar Sharif, born Michel Dimiti Chalhoub, was another April-born notable, celebrated for his performances in Lawrence of Arabia, Doctor Zhivago, and Funny Girl. Omar is an Arabic name meaning eloquent that currently ranks at Number 217. An exotic yet accessible choice, Omar has ranked within the Top 300 since the early 1970s. Historically, Omar is also strongly associated with Persian poet Omar Khayyam.
If you’re expecting a baby born on or around Easter you may consider the French name Pascal, meaning born on Easter. Traditionally given to boys arriving around the holiday, the Cornish variant Pasco, Italian Pasquale, and Spanish Pascual are equally handsome choices. Pascal is also a surname which you may recognize as that of the French philosopher Blaise Pascal and musician Adam Pascal.
The old saying rings true that “April showers bring May flowers.” Rain is a nature name perfect for an April baby born on a rainy spring day. Comedian Richard Pryor named his daughter Rain nearly 50 years ago and actor Marisol Nichols chose the name Rain India for her daughter born in 2008. Several celebrities, including Christina Aguilera and Paul Walker, have opted to use Rain as a middle name. Still distinctive, only 93 girls and 34 boys were given the first name Rain last year.
Daniel Defoe’s Robinson Crusoe was first published on April 25, 1719. The first edition cited the protagonist Robinson Crusoe as the author, leading many to believe the novel was a travelogue of true events. Robinson is a common English patronymic surname that would make for an interesting first name. A cool way to honor a Robert or Robin, The Swiss Family Robinson is a literary connection. Only 54 boys were named Robinson last year.
The late singer Selena Quintanilla, who was tragically murdered at the peak of her career, was born on April 16, 1971. Selena is a Latinized variant of the Greek name Selene, a moon goddess. Pop sensation Selena Gomez was named after Quintanilla. Currently ranked at Number 321, Selena has a stylish and sophisticated vibe. Selena peaked in popularity in 1995, the year of Quintanilla’s death.
Susanna M. Salter, onetime mayor of Argonia, Kansas, became the first female U.S. mayor on April 4, 1887. Susanna is derived from the Hebrew Shoshannah, meaning lily, a lovely floral meaning for a baby girl born in the spring. The song Oh, Susanna by Stephen Foster contributed to the popularity of the name in America. Fun nicknames like Sanna, Suki, Sunny, and Zana may make this name feel fresh. 190 girls were named Susanna last year.