Botanical Beauties

  1. Dara
    • Origin:

      Irish, Persian, Punjabi, Khmer
    • Meaning:

      "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.
  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. Anemone
    • Origin:

      Flower name; Greek
    • Meaning:

      "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.
  4. 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.
  5. Briar rose
    • Origin:

      Literary name
    • Description:

      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.
  6. Elm
    • Origin:

      English, German, Norse, Danish tree name
    • Meaning:

      "red, brown"
    • Description:

      Strong, straight, and leafy, one of the new tree names used mostly as middles.
  7. 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.)
  8. 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.
  9. 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.
  10. Henna
    • Origin:

      Color name, Finnish feminization of Henry, English from German
    • Meaning:

      "estate ruler"
    • Description:

      Reddish dye that sounds as if it could be a real name — of the outdated, Old World, Yetta-Hedda variety.
  11. 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.
  12. Forsythia
    • Origin:

      Flower name, from English surname
    • Meaning:

      "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.
  13. Acker
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "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.
  14. Manuka
    • Origin:

      Botanical name
    • Description:

      The manuka tree, famous for the honey produced from its flowers, can be adapted as a masculine or feminine baby name.
  15. 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.
  16. 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.
  17. Marjoram
    • Origin:

      botanical name
    • Description:

      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?
  18. 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.
  19. Manuka
    • Origin:

      Botanical name
    • Description:

      The name of this tree, famous for the honey produced from its flowers, can be used as a masculine or feminine baby name.
  20. Verbena
    • Origin:

      Latin
    • Meaning:

      "sacred foliage"
    • Description:

      This name of a showy, lemony plant makes an unusual entry into the name garden.

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