Fantastic Fabrics
- Heather
Origin:
English botanical nameMeaning:
"small shrub"Description:
This flower name was one of the most popular in her class in the seventies and eighties, a fact reflected in the 1989 movie Heathers, in which every snobby girl in the high school clique bears the name. Now, though still pretty and evocative of the Scottish moors, it has faded in favor of other purplish blooms. It fell out of the Top 1000 in 2016 after having been as high as Number 3 in 1975, when it was given to close to 25,000 girls. Across the pond in the UK however, it remains near the latter end of the Top 1000.
- Paisley
Origin:
ScottishMeaning:
"church, cemetery"Description:
For a name related to a Scottish town, a patterned Indian fabric, and a country singer named Brad, Paisley has seen remarkable success. After appearing, seemingly out of nowhere, it is now an American favorite.
- Suede
Origin:
French, word nameMeaning:
"Swedish"Description:
In the nineties there was a "One Life to Live" soap opera character named Suede, but few fans picked up on it. Now however, parents may be reconsidering Suede, given its similarity in sound to Sage, Wade, and Zade and the recent interest in Denim, and unique word names more generally.
- Lacey
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"from Lassy"Description:
A unique combination of a surname feel and dainty femininity. It's currently associated with actress Lacey Chambert.
- Silke
Origin:
German form of Celia or Cecilia, LatinMeaning:
"heavenly or blind"Description:
Also spelled Zilke, Silke is a common German short form for variations of Cecilia and Celia.
- Velvet
Origin:
English word nameMeaning:
"a fabric characterized by a short soft dense warp pile"Description:
Velvet is a name that couldn't possibly be softer or more luxuriant. Many people have fond memories of it via the character of Velvet Brown, played by the young Elizabeth Taylor in National Velvet, an intrepid young woman willing to masquerade as a boy to race her horse in a dangerous steeplechase.
- Satine
Origin:
FrenchMeaning:
"smooth, shiny"Description:
Satine, the name of the Nicole Kidman character in Moulin Rouge,, is, by definition satiny smooth. Jacinda Barrett named her daughter Satine Anais.
- Denim
Origin:
Word nameMeaning:
"sturdy cotton"Description:
With Levi in vogue and country names on trend, Denim could fit in among the Waylons, Walkers, Coltons, and Rhetts. As a boys name, it brings to mind the qualities of the fabric: hardworking, cool and versatile. Singer Toni Braxton chose this name for her son in 2001, and parents have been using it for boys and girls ever since.
- Calico
Origin:
English word nameMeaning:
"cotton cloth imported from India; a blotched or spotted animal"Description:
A word name with fashionable o-ending that has associations with both the homespun fabric and the mottled cat. Alice Cooper named his daughter Calico decades ago.
- Georgette
Origin:
French, feminine variation of GeorgeDescription:
Has a musty 1940s feel. Try Georgia -- or Georgiana.
- Silk
Description:
Silk is an uncommon English word name derived directly from the luxurious fabric. The name evokes qualities of smoothness, elegance, softness, and luxury. As a given name, Silk has been used very rarely, making it a truly distinctive choice. The word itself comes from the Old English 'seoloc,' ultimately derived from the ancient Chinese silk trade routes. While traditionally gender-neutral, it has slightly more usage as a feminine name. Parents choosing Silk for their child likely appreciate its unique sound, memorable single-syllable simplicity, and the positive sensory associations it carries. The name projects an image of refinement and uncommon beauty, standing out in a world of more conventional names.
- Silkie
Description:
Silkie is a whimsical, uncommon feminine name with several possible origins. It might connect to the Silkie folk tales from Scottish and Irish mythology about seal-like creatures that can transform into humans, giving the name a magical, mystical quality. Alternatively, it could be a variant of Silke, a German and Dutch name meaning 'heavenly.' The name might also reference the silky, soft-feathered Silkie chicken breed. Extremely rare in usage statistics, Silkie appeals to parents drawn to nature-inspired or folkloric names with a gentle sound. Its playful, soft phonetics create a sense of delicacy and charm. The name's uniqueness makes it stand out while its accessible pronunciation prevents it from feeling too unfamiliar.
- Silky
Description:
Silky is a delicate female name that embodies softness and luxury. Derived from the English word for smooth, lustrous fabric, the name evokes a sense of elegance and refined grace. While uncommon as a traditional first name, Silky has seen occasional use as a nickname or modern given name, particularly in English-speaking countries and parts of India. The name appeals to parents seeking something tactile and sensory with positive connotations of comfort and beauty. Silky's informal, approachable quality gives it a contemporary feel while maintaining its feminine associations with smoothness and refinement.
- Laci
Description:
Laci is a feminine name with multiple origins. It can be considered a modern variation of Lacey, which derived from a Norman surname referring to a person from Lassy, France. It also has connections to the Latin 'laqueus' meaning 'snare' or 'noose,' which evolved to refer to lace fabric. In Hungarian, Laci serves as a nickname for László. The Americanized spelling with an 'i' ending gained popularity in the 1980s and 1990s, appealing to parents seeking names with a contemporary feel and playful sound. The name conveys a sense of delicacy and femininity while maintaining a modern edge. Laci remains relatively uncommon but recognizable, making it both distinctive and accessible.
- Chamois
Origin:
FrenchMeaning:
"soft leather, yellowish-brown"Description:
Pronounced SHAM-ee, this color and word name is soft and appealing.
- Lacie
Description:
Lacie is a feminine name that originated as a variant spelling of Lacey, which derives from a Norman French place name and surname meaning 'from Lassy' (a town in Normandy). The name later associated with the English word 'lace,' giving it delicate, intricate connotations. This alternative spelling gained modest popularity in the United States during the 1980s-90s, offering a slightly more modern take on the traditional Lacey. The name evokes qualities of elegance, femininity, and refinement through both its sound and its etymological connections to the delicate fabric. Though never reaching the highest popularity rankings, Lacie maintains appeal for parents seeking a name that balances familiarity with uniqueness and carries gentle, graceful associations.
- Cashmere
Origin:
Word name, English from HindustaniMeaning:
"fine, downy wool"Description:
Cashmere is soft, luxurious — and way out of the ordinary. One of the unique names found in The Hunger Games series.
- Jersey
Origin:
English place name, Old NorseMeaning:
"Geirr's island"Description:
An established place name, associated with a sunny island in the English Channel, the Garden State in the US, knitted pullovers, reality TV, and a Broadway musical. It peaked in the late 2000s and though it is now in decline, 130 girls and nearly 50 boys received the name in 2023.
-ey meaning "island". Alternative theories suggest it comes from jarl ,meaning "earl" or hjǫr meaning "sword".
- Satin
Origin:
FrenchMeaning:
"smooth, shiny"Description:
Sensuous to a fault.
- Taffeta
Origin:
English, from Persian, word nameDescription:
A few boys have adopted fabrics like Denim and Suede; here's a singular one for the girls, with a distinctively silky sheen.