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From Johnny Depp’s daughter Lily-Rose to Jamie Oliver’s trio, Poppy, Petal and Daisy, celebrities aren’t the only ones finding inspiration from flowers and fauna; many parents are finding their baby names in nature. If you’re inching closer to your delivery date and still haven’t settled on a name, look to one of these flower baby names from around the world for inspiration.
Sarah Croud is a garden designer From Essex, UK, who believes the popularity of flower names for babies is simply because they’re uplifting. “We all know that being close to nature provides a well needed feel-good factor, and one lovely way of staying connected is to use names from nature for our children,” Croud told Good to Know. “Using flower names in particular can transport us to a past place, or invoke a memory related to the smells or colors associated with our favorite flowers or beautiful blooms.”
More from Mom.com: 20 Spring-Inspired Baby Names
Flower baby names for girls
1. Ione
This flower baby name means “violet” in Greek, which is the exact color of the Ione Hecker flower. The name is popular in Greek Mythology and is also the first name of the actress who played Diane Court in the hit eighties movie, Say Anything.
2. Jewel
The jewel flower, native to both California and Arizona and can be yellow, white or purple. As a flower baby name, it is of English origin meaning “precious stone.” Nineties pop star aside, the name Jewel is a as unique and as beautiful as a precious gemstone.
3. Azalea
Springtime azaleas are some of the easiest flowers to maintain as they thrive in all kinds of soil. Parents who wish to impart both beauty and strength may choose this flower baby name with Greek origins.
4. Poppy
While the baby name Poppy has been common in the UK for many years, it only began to rank in the top 1000 names in the United States, in 2016. This may have something to do with the release of the Trolls movie in November of that same year. Regardless, the name Poppy ranked at #338 on the Social Security Administration website in 2022. So, it looks as though this Old English word meaning “red flower” is here to stay.
5. Lavender
It seems as though everyone loves lavender, whether in flower form or diffused as an essential oil. And, it’s no wonder; this blue-violet spiked flower has a calming scent that is said to ease anxiety and promote restful sleep. The name Lavender is just beginning to take its place on the baby name lists, so if you like this mellow, purple flower, this may be the perfect flower baby name for you.
More from Mom.com: 20 Beautiful Nature-Inspired Baby Girl Names
Flower baby boy names
Flower baby names aren’t usually associated with newborn baby boys, but these names would not only make a great addition to your list of “maybes” but are also just unique enough to ensure your child is the only one in their classroom with that name.
6. Ren
This gender-neutral name is of Japanese origin meaning “lotus,” and is the sacred flower of Buddhism. According to Nippon.com, Ren was the number one boys’ name in 2021.
7. Aster
For a baby name inspired by the cosmos, Aster is of Greek origin and means “star.” An aster is a star-shaped flower that tends to look a little magical and surreal when seen growing in the wild.
8. Kamal
Arabic for “perfection” and Sanskrit for “lotus,” the name Kamal can also mean “rebirth.” In Egypt, the lotus flower is called the sacred lily of the Nile and is a symbol of unity between Upper and Lower Egypt.
If you’re having a difficult time choosing a name for your baby because you have so many favorites, mom of two Alexis suggests brainstorming with your partner or a friend or family member. “Keep a name journal, she wrote on her blog,” Bless Our Littles. “Every time you hear a name that you like, jot it down into the journal. You may fall in love with the most random name or be able to get the perfect name variation from the list.”
Flowering plant baby names
Some beautiful flower baby names aren’t derived from flowers at all, rather, they come from flowering plants. Bushes and shrubs that produce flowers and flowering herbs are commonly used as baby names. Take your baby name from these plants that produce flowers at certain times of the year.
9. Jasmine
If you know Disney princesses, you know that Jasmine is a Persian name meaning “gift from God.” In the plant world, Jasmine is considered a shrub or vine. It includes over 200 species of plant. Derived from the word “yasamin” it’s emits a sweet-smelling aroma that is ideal for your sweet little bundle of joy.
10. Sage
Sage is a culinary herb from the mint family. It’s scientific name, Salvia means “in good health” but the word sage itself typically means “wise.” Sage is a gender-neutral name that can also refer to the seven Greek sages or ancient philosophers. Consider sage for a baby born into a down-to-earth, wise and holistic-minded family.
11. Ivy
Ivy is a climbing evergreen plant that comes from the Latin word for “vine.” Ancient Greeks would give wreaths of ivy to couples, symbolizing eternity. The name has made its way to the top 50 baby names in recent years. That number has increased significantly since 2012, the year Beyonce and Jay-Z announced the birth of their daughter, Blue Ivy.
12. Indigo
Indigo has been used as a natural dye since the late 1600s. It was first cultivated by enslaved Africans forced to use their knowledge of growing and processing the plant in colonial Charleston, South Carolina. Indigo initially releases a green hue on textiles. As it dries it reveals a beautiful dark blue-purple color. The word indigo comes from the Greek word, indikon, which means, “from India.” If you’re looking for a gender-neutral flower baby name, Indigo might be the perfect fit.
13. Clover
There are about 300 species of clover; a flowering plant that originated in Europe. The most common is the white clover, which is most commonly referenced on St. Patrick’s Day. The name Clover is of British origin meaning “meadow flower” and is the perfect baby name for a little girl born at the start of spring.
