Botanical Beauties

  1. Acer
    • Origin:

      Botanical name from Latin
    • Meaning:

      "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.
  2. 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.
  3. Hawthorn
    • Origin:

      Spelling variation of Hawthorne
    • Description:

      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.
  4. 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.
  5. Amapola
    • Origin:

      Spanish
    • Meaning:

      "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.
  6. 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.
  7. Verbena
    • Origin:

      Latin
    • Meaning:

      "sacred foliage"
    • Description:

      This name of a showy, lemony plant makes an unusual entry into the name garden.
  8. Calytrix
    • Origin:

      Botanical, from Greek
    • Meaning:

      "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".
  9. Vesa
    • Origin:

      Finnish
    • Meaning:

      "sapling, sprout"
    • Description:

      Unisex in its native country but especially popular for boys, this cool Finnish nature name would be perfect for the new addition to your family tree.
  10. Heliotrope
    • Origin:

      botanical name
    • Description:

      Despite the beauty of this flower's appearance and fragrance, this is one of the clumsier flower names.
  11. Fuchsia
    • Origin:

      Plant and color name
    • Meaning:

      "vivid purplish-red; tubular flower"
    • Description:

      A plausible color name, it was chosen by the singer Sting as a middle name for his daughter, after a character in the Gormenghast fantasy trilogy, of which he's a big fan. Another bearer is Fuchsia Voremberg, a member of the BBC Show, Antiques Roadshow who specializes in diaries and manuscripts.
  12. Gardenia
    • Origin:

      Flower name, from English surname
    • Meaning:

      "Garden's flower"
    • Description:

      More uncommon and powerful than garden varieties like Rose and Lily. Named for Scottish botanist Dr Alexander Garden.
  13. 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.
  14. Beech
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "beech tree"
    • Description:

      If you prefer the woods to the ocean, you'll want to name your son (or daughter) Beech instead of Beach.
  15. Millaray
    • Origin:

      Mapuche, Chilean
    • Meaning:

      "golden flower"
    • Description:

      A melodic and glowing name, derived from Mapuche, the language of the Indigenous people of central Chile, Millaray means "golden flower". It ranked in the Chilean Top 100 in the 2010s and remains a familiar choice. Pronounced as mee-ya-rye, and not as mih-luh-ray as those unfamiliar with it might assume, Millaray is notably borne by actress and presenter Millaray Viera and footballer Millaray Cortés.
  16. Geranium
    • Origin:

      Flower name, from Greek
    • Meaning:

      "crane"
    • Description:

      Offbeat flower name, sure to raise some eyebrows. But with Lily, Rose, and even Daisy starting to wilt, more alluring blooms such as Geranium, Magnolia, and Azalea may blossom.
  17. Kaede
    • Origin:

      Japanese
    • Meaning:

      "maple tree"
    • Description:

      No - not a creative spelling of Cade. 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.
  18. Margosa
    • Origin:

      botanical name
    • Description:

      Margosa derives its name from the neem tree plant, which is known for its healing qualities. The name has an attractive quality, fitting well into the 'Mar' trend (i.e. names like Marigold, Margot and Mariposa.)
  19. Laverne
    • Origin:

      French
    • Meaning:

      "springlike"
    • Description:

      Although it has a sweet meaning, this name feels dated nowadays, like a fifties poodle skirt. Lavender may be a fresher alternative.
  20. Abelia
    • Origin:

      Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "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.

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