Botanical Beauties
- 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.
- Acantha
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"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.
- 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.
- Laverne
Origin:
FrenchMeaning:
"springlike"Description:
Although it has a sweet meaning, this name feels dated nowadays, like a fifties poodle skirt. Lavender may be a fresher alternative.
- Briar rose
Origin:
Literary nameDescription:
We give Briar Rose its own page thanks to the down-to-earth name of Princess Aurora, aka Sleeping Beauty. Rachel Bilson and Hayden Christensen named their newborn daughter Briar Rose, but we like Briar and Rose better when used separately. Read more about Briar Rose and other Disney Princess Names in our featured blog.
- Elm
Origin:
English, German, Norse, Danish tree nameMeaning:
"red, brown"Description:
Strong, straight, and leafy, one of the new tree names used mostly as middles.
- Margosa
Origin:
botanical nameDescription:
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.)
- Orchid
Origin:
From GreekMeaning:
"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.
- Ash
Origin:
Diminutive of Ashley, EnglishMeaning:
"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.
- Henna
Origin:
Color name, Finnish feminization of Henry, English from GermanMeaning:
"estate ruler"Description:
Reddish dye that sounds as if it could be a real name — of the outdated, Old World, Yetta-Hedda variety.
- 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.
- Forsythia
Origin:
Flower name, from English surnameMeaning:
"Forsyth's flower"Description:
This yellow harbinger spring bloom was named for Scottish botanist William Forsyth, and is even more unusual than such species as Acacia and Azalea.
- Acker
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"meadow of oak trees"Description:
Acker is a surname name that has not seen much use to date, but given it's lush nature meaning (and the fact that it also means "friend" in Somerset slang) this could be a cute choice for parents looking for something fresh. An added bonus its link to English "Master of the Clarinet" Acker Bilk. The Dutch version, Akker, is also an option.
- Manuka
Origin:
Botanical nameDescription:
The manuka tree, famous for the honey produced from its flowers, can be adapted as a masculine or feminine baby name.
- Kaede
Origin:
JapaneseMeaning:
"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.
- 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.
- Marjoram
Origin:
botanical nameDescription:
Marjoram is a herb and flower. With nicknames like Margie and Jo at the ready, we think that if Marigold can make a comeback, why not Marjoram?
- 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.
- Manuka
Origin:
Botanical nameDescription:
The name of this tree, famous for the honey produced from its flowers, can be used as a masculine or feminine baby name.
- Verbena
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"sacred foliage"Description:
This name of a showy, lemony plant makes an unusual entry into the name garden.
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