Botanical Beauties
- Acer
Origin:
Botanical name from LatinMeaning:
"maple"Description:
Acer is the Latin botanical name for the Maple tree. Where Maple feels quite feminine, Acer is a more masculine way to reference this tree.
- Kiefer
Origin:
GermanMeaning:
"barrel maker; pine"Description:
Kiefer is a strong occupational surname associated with "24" star Kiefer Sutherland, but one that could well join the other 'er' surnames currently in favor. Keifer is a German surname transferred to first name use, derived from two old Germanic words, kien and forhe, both of which mean "pine tree."
- Ornella
Origin:
ItalianMeaning:
"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.
- Zaynab
Origin:
Tree name or Arabic,"beauty, grace"Meaning:
"beauty, grace"Description:
Zaynab, from the Arabic word for beauty and the name of a flowering tree, was the name of a granddaughter, daughter and two wives of the Prophet Muhammed. Related names include the simplified forms Zaina and Zayna and the Swahili-inflected Zainabu, along with possibly Zenobia, a name related to the Greek mythological god Zeus. Zaynab is one of the most popular Muslim girls' names around the world.
- Amapola
Origin:
SpanishMeaning:
"poppy"Description:
A rarely heard flower name, Amapola comes from the Spanish word for "poppy", in turn associating with name with remembrance and the months of August and November. Pronounced as a-ma-POH-la, with the emphasis on the third syllable, it may feel similar enough to Amalia, Amaia, and Paula to work.
- Jarrah
Origin:
botanical nameDescription:
Jarrah is the name of a beautiful Australian tree famous for its richly-colored red timber and lovely scent. Jarrah may be used for both girls and boys.
- Hawthorn
Origin:
Spelling variation of HawthorneDescription:
The version with the e at the end relates to novelist Nathaniel, so that may be the one most parents attracted to this unusual name would choose. Hawthorn nudges it toward the nature category: Hawthorn is a type of hedge.
- Dara
Origin:
Irish, Persian, Punjabi, KhmerMeaning:
"oak tree, fruitful; wealthy; leader; star"Description:
Though Dara in the U.S. would be considered mainly a girls' name – the most recent count is 10 times as many girls given the name last year than boys – it's a boys' name in Ireland, where it's in the Top 100 along with variations Daire and Darragh.
- Heliotrope
Origin:
botanical nameDescription:
Despite the beauty of this flower's appearance and fragrance, this is one of the clumsier flower names.
- Abelia
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"sigh, breath"Description:
This feminine form of Abel is also a flower name and makes a distinctive alternative to the widely used Abigail. There is a similar name, Adelia, that is beginning to be rediscovered thanks to the trend for all names Adel- related.
- Jonquil
Origin:
English flower name, from LatinMeaning:
"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.
- Calytrix
Origin:
Botanical, from GreekMeaning:
"star-flower (English name)"Description:
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".
- Huon
Origin:
Tasmanian tree nameMeaning:
"huon river pine"Description:
A name gaining recognition in Australia, based on the huon pine tree which grows in Tasmania. Boatbuilders especially love this rare wood, which floats well, is resistant to rot, and has a strong pine-y scent.
- Pine
Origin:
Nature nameDescription:
Worthy sibling for Oak, Elm, Juniper, and Spruce.
- Anemone
Origin:
Flower name; GreekMeaning:
"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.
- Tulip
Origin:
Flower name, from PersianMeaning:
"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.
- Javor
Origin:
Serbian tree nameMeaning:
"maple tree"Description:
Javor is the Serbian word for Maple tree. It makes a definitively masculine and interesting choice for the nature inclined namer.
- Barley
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"grower or seller of barley"Description:
A bit too bad-boy (think bars, beer, Harley) for us, as well as being the name of a grain.
- Verbena
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"sacred foliage"Description:
This name of a showy, lemony plant makes an unusual entry into the name garden.
- Thistle
Origin:
botanical nameDescription:
The thistle is the botanical emblem of Scotland and would make a good if unusual patriotic choice for people with Scottish heritage. One of the few flower names that could be worn by a boy with as much ease as a girl.
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