Spices - Beyond Basil And Ginger

Spice names are increasingly appealing to the senses of prospective parents; this one, belonging to a precious spice derived from the crocus has a vaguely orange-scented-incense sixties feel.

The graceful, natural image of the verdant shade tree transcends any connection with President Johnson.

A modern, multifaceted name, Sage is short, sweet, and strong. A unisex possibility, it is also a virtuous word name associated with wisdom, and a nature name linked to a fragrant herb.

Although Greek in origin--in the fourth century, a bishop by that name established the principles of the Greek Orthodox Church--Basil for years took on the aura of aquiline-nosed upper-class Britishness of Sherlock Holmes portrayer Basil Rathbone, then spiced with the fragrant aroma of the herb that entered with the Pesto generation.

With its bubbly sounds and stylish feel, Pepper joins a small but distinctive group of names inspired by the spice rack: Saffron, Juniper, Cassia, Sage, Ginger, and Rosemary. Enough like Pippa, Piper and Penelope that it feels usable, Pepper has appeared every year in the US stats since the 60s.

Botanical choice that can work for either gender. Simple and straightforward. Caveats: rue means "regret" in English, and "street" in French. Now in the Top 1000 in England and Wales for girls and trending upwards in the US, it is nevertheless still given to a handful of boys each year. It could equally work as a nickname for a Ruben, Rudy, or a Rupert.

You might think Artemisia is the feminine form of the name, but in fact the original Artemis is feminine too, the name of the Greek mythological goddess of the moon. Artemisia Gentileschi was an esteemed Italian Baroque painter, unusual in an era when not many women were acknowledged. Artemisia is also a genus of plants which include sagebrush and tarragon.

Sorrel is a gentle, amber-hued herbal and autumnal name that's used most often to describe the color of a horse. Sorrell is a variant spelling. Both make excellent names for autumn babies and can be used for either gender.

Originally a unisex nickname for a redhead -- red hair is called "ginger" in Britain -- or for the name Virginia, Ginger perennially wears pink gingham and spike heels.

Name of the licorice plant, this spice comes in the shape of a star, giving this name an extra level of sweetness.

Like River and Lake, a cool, refreshing modern water-related choice. This name is also associated with bay leaves, the bay laurel, the contemporary term of endearment, "bae", and the Old English word beġ meaning "berry"

Has a slight aura of danger, from its being two types of weapons and a looming character in the Star Wars films. Best left as a nickname for Mason.

Clove is one of a whole tantalizing genre of spice names that might work for a boy. Clovis could be considered a long form.

Derived from the name Caradog, the handsome ancient Celtic name was worn by one of the Knights of the Round Table, as well as a semi-legendary Welsh King. Possibly a cognate of Cedric and Carys, Caradoc is ultimately derived from the Brythonic name Caratācos meaning "loved", itself originating from the Celtic karu.

Orris is a masculine name with roots in both Latin and Old Norse languages. In Latin, it's derived from 'horridus' meaning 'bristly' or 'rough,' while in Old Norse it may relate to names containing 'ørr' meaning 'arrow.' Historically, Orris was used as a surname before evolving into a given name. It shares connections with the iris flower, as orris root is derived from certain iris species, giving it botanical associations. Orris has remained quite rare throughout history, never reaching high popularity rankings in the United States or other English-speaking countries. The name carries a distinctive, vintage quality that sets it apart, while its rarity makes it an uncommon choice for modern parents seeking a unique masculine name with historical depth.

A sweet and rare spice name, which made its first and only appearance on the US baby name charts in 1969 — the year Neil Young's song "Cinnamon Girl" was released.