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Botanical Beauties

  1. Tamar

    • Origin:

      Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "date palm tree"

    • Description:

      Tamar is a rich, strong Old Testament name sometimes given to girls born on the holiday of Sukkoth, as palm branches were used to make the roof of the sukkah. In the Bible, there are several Tamars, including a daughter of King David and also Absalom's daughter, who is praised for her 'fair countenance'.
  2. Bay

    • Origin:

      English word, Old English

    • Meaning:

      "an inlet of the sea where the land curves inward; berry"

    • Description:

      Like River and Lake, a cool, refreshing modern water-related choice. This name is also associated with bay leaves, the bay laurel, the contemporary term of endearment, "bae", and the Old English word beġ meaning "berry"
  3. Jonquil

    • Origin:

      English flower name, from Latin

    • Meaning:

      "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.

  4. Delphinia

    • Description:

      Delphinia is a feminine name with Greek origins, derived from 'Delphi,' the sacred site in ancient Greece famous for its oracle. The name is connected to Apollo, who was called 'Delphinian Apollo' after transforming himself into a dolphin. Delphinia can also be associated with the delphinium flower, known for its striking blue color. This elegant, classical name has never been common but appeals to parents drawn to botanical names with historical depth. It has a flowing, feminine quality with its soft consonants and musical rhythm. Delphinia offers multiple nickname options including Delphi, Del, or Fina. The name projects an image of mystical wisdom, natural beauty, and classical refinement.

  5. Daffodil

    • Origin:

      Flower name, from Greek

    • Meaning:

      "asphodel"

    • Description:

      Yes, though it seems so extreme, girls were actually sometimes given this name a century ago; now it is so uncommon it would make a strong springtime statement. Biggest obstacle: the nickname Daffy.
  6. Pansy

    • Origin:

      English flower name from French

    • Meaning:

      "thought"

    • Description:

      Pansy is an early floral name that lost credibility when it became a derogatory slang term for gay people. Better these days: Posy or Poppy.
  7. Orchid

    • Origin:

      From Greek

    • Meaning:

      "orchid flower"

    • Description:

      Orchid is a hothouse bloom that has not been plucked by many modern baby namers — yet. In the language of flowers, orchids symbolize love, beauty, and sophistication.
  8. Buttercup

    • Origin:

      Flower name, from English

    • Meaning:

      "yellow wildflower"

    • Description:

      Though most Buttercups are of the bovine persuasian, this humble flower name was given to the lovely princess in "The Princess Bride." If Buttercup still feels too lowly for you, you might consider Clover, Daffodil, or Daisy.
  9. Olea

    • Origin:

      Latin botanical name, genus of trees

    • Meaning:

      "olive"

    • Description:

      Olea is an unusual botanical name that relates to both olive and oil, brought to public attention when it was chosen by actress Amy Adams as the middle name for her daughter Aviana. Olea is also an occasionally used Norwegian and Danish girl's name and is said to be an Old Hebrew word for night or moon.
  10. Peony

    • Origin:

      Flower name; Latin

    • Meaning:

      "healing"

    • Description:

      One of the rarest of the floral names, though not without some teasing potential. Peony is a historical 1948 novel by Pearl S. Buck.
  11. Sorrell

    • Origin:

      French

    • Meaning:

      "reddish brown"

    • Description:

      Soft, amber-hued herbal and autumnal name that's used most often to describe the color of a horse. The proper spelling: Sorrel.
  12. Barley

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "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.
  13. Ash

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Ashley, English

    • Meaning:

      "ash tree"

    • Description:

      Ash is a gender-neutral choice that calls to mind the '80s favorite: Ashley. But view it as a nature name -- as in the tree, not the charred bit of soot in the fireplace -- and it makes a cool choice that fits with today's trends.
  14. Eglantine

    • Origin:

      French and English botanical name

    • Meaning:

      "sweetbriar"

    • Description:

      This name for the sweetbriar shrub is a bit too reminiscent of eggplant, but it does have literary creds, having appeared in Chaucer's Canterbury Tales. The French form Églantine appeared in the charts in the first half of the 20th century and again in the 2000s.
  15. Ornella

    • Origin:

      Italian

    • Meaning:

      "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.
  16. Kaede

    • Origin:

      Japanese

    • Meaning:

      "maple tree"

    • Description:

      No - not a creative spelling of Katy. This name, which can be used for boys or girls, means maple tree. Kaede is unusual in Japan although it has been gaining more popularity after it has been used for several anime and manga characters, such as Kaede Akamatsu from Danganronpa.
  17. Acantha

    • Origin:

      Greek

    • Meaning:

      "thorn, prickle"

    • Description:

      Acantha is one of the unique baby names in the stylish mythological category that also might count as a flower name. In Greek mythology, Acantha was a nymph beloved by Apollo. An unusual and attractive choice that could make a creative way to honor a grandma Rose.
  18. Jarrah

    • Origin:

      botanical name

    • Description:

      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.
  19. Banyan

    • Origin:

      Indian

    • Meaning:

      "the God tree"

    • Description:

      This evocative name of a dramatic tropical Indian fig tree is ready to move west.
  20. Winika

    • Origin:

      Maori

    • Meaning:

      "Christmas orchid"

    • Description:

      With the rise of all those other popular feminine W names, like Winnie, Willa and Winona, why not consider the lovely Winika? Win and Winnie are likely nicknames and it is associated with a dainty Pacific orchid that blossoms at Christmas time. If you're looking for international names for Christmas babies, this is one for the short list.