Baby Name Meanings · Nature, Place and Word Names
By Pamela Redmond · Updated September 2026
Across 9 pages
of 9
Slavic variation of Susannah
"lily"
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.
English flower name
This name of the bright orange flower found in Asia has been used occasionally in English-speaking countries. A notable namesake is Tiger Lily, the Native American princess from Peter Pan . Read more…
Armenian
"rose"
A handsome and floral name, Vardan is a popular choice in Armenia where it ranks in the Top 50 and has done since records began in the late 2000s. Likely derived from the Iranian vard or the Arabic…
Hindu, Slovakian, Spanish, or Arabic
"rock-rose or earthen water jug"
Jara is a name with roots in several different cultures and languages, with different meanings and associations. She's the Hindu goddess of the household, happiness, and prosperity. In Spanish, where…
Japanese
"tide; aster + remembrance; poem + sound"
A unisex Japanese name, with a variety of meanings depending on which kanji combinations are used. It is often said to mean "aster", giving it a botanical tie, and a link to remembrance based on the…
Norwegian diminutive of Elisabet, English and Spanish diminutive of names ending in -lita, or Romanian variation of Leta, Latin
"pledged to God; little; glad, joyful"
Vivacious but lightweight.
Czech diminutive of Susan
This sizzling nickname Zuzu is heard every Christmas as the name of Jimmy Stewart's little girl in "It's a Wonderful Life," but we love it all year round as a lively alternative to double names like…
Greek
"flowery"
This unjustly neglected floral name is smart and crisp, with a touch of Athena, Anna, and Cynthia about it. It also has that stylish Greek mythological heritage: Anthea is an epithet of Hera, the…
"flower stem"
Attractive but slight Asian alternative, with a 1970s nickname feel.
Spelling variation of Shoshana, Hebrew
Shoshanna is a variation of one of the best-known original Hebrew baby names for girls , the original of Susanna. This is the spelling used by Shoshanna Lonstein, a designer who creates the Shoshanna…
Flower name; Greek
"unfading"
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.
Romanian, Latin
"flower; flourishing"
Florin is one of several names derived from the Latin root floris , making it a floral and prosperous choice for boys. A relative of Flora, Florence, and Florian, this form is most popularly heard in…
"to sprout, to swell"
Bryony is an unusually strong plant name --the bryony is a wild climbing vine with green flowers --that caught on in the U.K. before sprouting here. The name of the young character in the Ian McEwan…
English, variation of Jessamine
"jasmine flower"
Jessamy and big sister Jessamine are all but unknown in the U.S., but make distinctive alternatives to overexposed Jessica, Jessie, and Jasmine.
Arabic
"narcissus"
A floral Arabic name which holds significance to those who follow Twelver Shi'ism (the largest group of Shia Muslims), Narjis is said to have been the name of Muhamad al-Mahdi's mother. Also known as…
Italian
"flowering ash tree"
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…
Arabic, Urdu
"Damask rose; to flow; adorned with jewels"
Predominantly used in Pakistan and India (where it might also appear as Juveria), this Urdu and Arabic name has several possible meanings. On one hand, it may derive from the name Juwayriyyah, borne…
Diminutive of Elisabeth or French
Lys is a feminine name with multiple cultural origins. In French, it derives from 'fleur-de-lis' meaning 'lily,' a flower symbolizing purity and the French monarchy. In Welsh and Scandinavian…
Hindi
Malli is one of those simple-yet-unusual names that are intrinsically fascinating. In the US last year, only seven baby girls were named Malli. English speakers may misunderstand this lovely Indian…
Mapuche (Chilean)
"flower"
Rayen is well-known in Chile, and sometimes seen in the Netherlands, as a Mapuche girls name meaning flower. This name could be an alternative to people who like Ryan but want to keep it as a boys…
