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Botanical Beauties

  1. 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.

  2. Kiefer

    • Origin:

      German

    • Meaning:

      "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."
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. 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.
  7. Petunia

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "trumpet-shaped flower"

    • Description:

      Literary heritage: the "Loony Tunes" girlfriend of Porky Pig. But with the increasing popularity of all kinds of unusual botanical names, Petunia may be a name we start to hear more of. Perhaps-more-pleasing Petunia alternatives: Petal, Posy, Poppy.
  8. Freesia

    • Origin:

      Flower name, from German surname

    • Meaning:

      "Freese's flower"

    • Description:

      A rare, free-feeling flower name for the parent who wants to move far, far beyond Rose and Daisy. Named for German physician Friedrich Freese.
  9. 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.
  10. Banyan

    • Origin:

      Indian

    • Meaning:

      "the God tree"

    • Description:

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

    • Origin:

      Latin

    • Meaning:

      "first rose"

    • Description:

      Primula is related to Primrose, the name and the flower, and would make a quirky yet charming (or is it charming yet quirky?) botanical name for a first daughter.
  12. 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.
  13. 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.
  14. Malus

    • Origin:

      Latin botanical name

    • Meaning:

      "the apples"

    • Description:

      A name given to apple--specifically crab apple--trees. The first syllable rhymes with Cal.
  15. Heliotrope

    • Origin:

      botanical name

    • Description:

      Despite the beauty of this flower's appearance and fragrance, this is one of the clumsier flower names.
  16. 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.
  17. Margarida

    • Origin:

      Portuguese

    • Meaning:

      "daisy; pearl"

    • Description:

      This Portuguese version of Marguerite, Margherita, or Margaret has a distinctive yet familiar sound and could get you to nicknames Maggie, Daisy, Margo, Ida, and Edie.
  18. Lizar

    • Origin:

      Basque tree name

    • Meaning:

      "Ash tree"

    • Description:

      In the Basque lands of Spain, this name is reserved for boys. But given it's similarity to the name Lisa, we think that this might be ripe for claiming by girls.
  19. 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.
  20. Oleanna

    • Description:

      Oleanna is a feminine name with Scandinavian and Slavic influences. It likely developed as a variation of Oleana or Oleana, possibly derived from Helen (meaning 'bright, shining one'). In Norwegian tradition, Oleanna appears in a folk song about a utopian settlement in America. The name may also relate to the Russian name Olyana or Yelena. Oleanna carries a romantic, old-world charm with its flowing syllables and melodic quality. Though rare in contemporary usage, it bears similarity to currently popular names like Olivia and Anna, making it accessible despite its uncommonness. The name evokes images of Scandinavian landscapes and folklore. Oleanna might appeal to parents seeking a name with Nordic connections or those looking for a distinctive alternative to more common names with similar sounds.