Gothic Plant Names

  1. Castor
    • Origin:

      Greek; Latin
    • Meaning:

      "beaver; pious one"
    • Description:

      Forget the oil. It's one of the twins that make up the constellation Gemini, and a mythological name on the cutting-edge of fashion; used by Metallica's James Hetfield.
  2. Valerian
    • Origin:

      Latin
    • Meaning:

      "strength, health"
    • Description:

      This name of a Roman emperor and of a sedating plant is still used quietly, given to about a dozen baby boys in the US last year. It has a strong, rhythmic sound and could make a modern-feeling honor name for grandma Valerie.
  3. Melia
    • Origin:

      Greek mythology name, diminutive of Amelia, or Hawaiian
    • Meaning:

      "ash tree; honey; work; plumeria"
    • Description:

      This is a rich, melodic shortening of the popular girls' name Amelia that can stand on its own. There are several figures in Greek myth named Melia, most notably a daughter of Oceanus. The Meliae are nymphs associated with trees.
  4. Oak
    • Origin:

      English tree name
    • Meaning:

      "tree from the genus Quercus"
    • Description:

      Oak, a symbol of solidity, strength, and longevity, is joining Cedar and Pine as a viable name, one that would work especially well in the middle.
  5. Paris
    • Origin:

      French place-name
    • Description:

      The first famous Paris was a mythological prince of incredible beauty. The most recent was media darling Paris Hilton, inspirer of a generation of baby-girl namesakes. But since Pierce Brosnan and other celebs have continued to use it for their sons, the name retains some masculine identity. For girls, it jumped from #464 to #412 in the past year alone.
  6. Narcissa
    • Origin:

      Greek
    • Meaning:

      "daffodil"
    • Description:

      This Greek flower and mythological choice doesn't make it into the pantheon of possibilities because of its association with narcissism. But narcissa is December's flower of the month, so Narcissa and Daffodil theoretically make perfect names for December babies.
  7. Myrtle
    • Origin:

      Greek botanical name
    • Description:

      Long in our category of so-far-out-it-will-always-be-out category, once seen as a gum-cracking 1940's telephone operator, we think it's time to reassess Myrtle, and look at is as a nature name, a plant with pink or white aromatic berries. Ruled by Venus, myrtle is a plant associated with love, peace, fertility and youth.
  8. 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.
  9. Paris
    • Origin:

      French place-name
    • Description:

      Paris, a one-time mythical and Shakespearean boys' name, peaked in 2004 at Number 157 at least in part due to the highly publicized Paris Hilton. Michael Jackson used it for his daughter.
  10. Yarrow
    • Origin:

      Botanical name, English
    • Meaning:

      "rough stream"
    • Description:

      Highly unusual as a baby name for either gender, Yarrow is an herb that grows wild and has long been used for its medicinal property. It's named for the mythical Achilles, who was said to carry yarrow into battle.
  11. Daffodil
    • Origin:

      Flower name, from Greek
    • Meaning:

      "asphodel"
    • Description:

      Yes, though it seems so extreme, girls were actually sometimes given this name a century ago; now it is so uncommon it would make a strong springtime statement. Biggest obstacle: the nickname Daffy.
  12. Sorrel
    • Origin:

      Botanical name and French
    • Meaning:

      "reddish brown"
    • Description:

      A fragrant herbal and color name that could make a sensitive, distinctive choice.
  13. Lupin
    • Origin:

      Flower, animal, and literary name, from Latin
    • Meaning:

      "pertaining to the wolf"
    • Description:

      Lupin is an unusual flower name with roots in Old French, from the Latin lupinus, meaning "pertaining to the wolf". In the literary world, it's the surname of Remus Lupin, a popular character in the Harry Potter franchise and a werewolf.
  14. Taro
    • Origin:

      Japanese
    • Meaning:

      "great (or eldest) son"
    • Description:

      An energetic Japanese name that would make for an on-trend choice in the English-speaking world. Especially appropriate for a first-born son.
  15. Narcissus
    • Origin:

      Greek
    • Meaning:

      "daffodil"
    • Description:

      Mythological young man who fell in love with his own image: the first narcissist.
  16. Yarrow
    • Origin:

      Botanical name, English
    • Meaning:

      "rough stream"
    • Description:

      Yarrow is a flowering herb that grows wild in Europe and North America, and has long been used in several Native American and European cultures as a healing plant. Named for the mythical god Achille, Yarrow is a symbol of enduring love.
  17. Artemesia
    • Origin:

      Greek
    • Meaning:

      "gift from Artemis"
    • Description:

      Derived from Artemis, the name of the Greek mythological goddess of the moon and hunting, Artemesia has a couple of notable associations, among them a fourth century Queen of Caria who was responsible for the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus, one of the Seven Wonders of the World..
  18. Snowdrop
    • Description:

      Snowdrop is a delicate nature-inspired feminine name derived from the early-blooming white flower that often emerges while snow still covers the ground. This botanical name symbolizes hope, purity, and resilience as snowdrops are among the first flowers to bloom at winter's end. Though uncommon as a given name, Snowdrop belongs to the category of modern flower and nature names that have gained popularity in recent decades. The name carries a whimsical, ethereal quality that appeals to parents drawn to nature-themed names. Snowdrop combines the purity associations of snow with the gentle beauty of a small flower, creating a name that's both distinctive and meaningful.
  19. Kala
    • Origin:

      Tamil; Hawaiian
    • Meaning:

      "Virtue; princess"
  20. Florentine
    • Origin:

      Latin
    • Meaning:

      "flowering; flourishing; from Florence"
    • Description:

      Florentine may have three meanings, but they're all basically the same. It can mean flowering or blossoming as with a plant, flourishing or prospering in terms of luck and money, and also literally a citizen of Florence in Italy.

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