If you love flowers, are inspired by the language of flowers and the folklore that goes along with it, or you simply find flowers beautiful, these names are as lovely and precious as the blossoms that bear them.
36 flower names for girls
Alyssa has a few origins, and one of those is that it’s inspired by the honey-scented alyssum flower.
Amaranth takes its name from a Greek word meaning “unfading.”
Ambrosia is a variety of flowering plant sometimes featured in Greek myth. This name is rooted in a Greek word for “immortal.”
Angelica, another name for wild celery, symbolizes inspiration in Victorian flower language and derives from the same Greek word as angel.
Azalea is a showy flowering plant. Its name comes from the Greek word meaning “dry” because it thrives in dry soil.
Bryony is a flowering vine and a handsome girl’s name most commonly used in Great Britain. It comes from a Greek word meaning “to swell.”
Camellia is an elegant, winter-blooming flower named for botanist Georg Kamel. In floriography, camellias symbolize longing.
Dahlia is named after a botanist from Sweden named Anders Dahl. In floriography, dahlias symbolize eternal love and commitment.
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Daisy likely comes from “day’s eye” in Old English, since the flower blooms in the morning and closes at night. Daisies are often associated with innocence, childhood, and purity.
Delphinium (also known as larkspur) comes from the Greek word for “dolphin,” and was so named because the petals on this lovely blue flower resemble dolphins.
Fuchsia is a flower and a color name. This bright pink flower is named after 16th-century German botanist Leonhart Fuchs.
Gardenia named after the naturalist Alexander Garden. The flower has many uses across the world, including in perfumes and dyes.
Heather is a purple and white flower native to Scotland. According to Scottish folklore, the plant is said to turn sorrow into good luck and protection.
Hyacinth takes its name from a mortal lover of the god Apollo in Greek mythology. In floriography, it symbolizes asking for forgiveness.
Iris flowers are associated with valor and victory in several cultures. The name comes from the Greek word for “rainbow.”
Jasmine derives from a Persian word meaning “gift from God.” In many cultures where the flower is native, it’s used in wedding bouquets.
Juniper is rooted in Latin words meaning “evergreen.”
Kamala means “lotus” – a gorgeous water lily – in Sanskrit.
Laurel has Old French roots, and means “bay tree.” A crown of laurels is an emblem of victory.
Lavender is rooted in Latin and French words that mean “bluish” and “to wash,” since it was a scent often used in washing (and still is!).
Lilac is a flowering woody plant. In floriography, it’s often used to symbolize first love and remembrance.
Lily flowers have been associated with purity since the Middle Ages, when art often depicted Mary, the mother of Jesus, with the flower.
Myrtle is rooted in the Greek word myrrh, meaning “bitter,” and in ancient times was often associated with goddesses of love.
Peony is a showy flower with a history of being used medicinally and is said to mean “healing.” The name may derive from Paeon, the physician of the gods in some Greek myths.
Petunia has a long history of symbolism: The Maya and Inca believed the flower’s scent could ward off spirits from the underworld, and in Victorian floriography, petunias symbolize anger and resentment.
Prunella is also known as self-heal or allheal and had several uses in traditional medicine around the world.
Poppy is a flower that symbolizes remembrance and sleep. In Greek myth, poppies grew in the land of the dead.
Primrose means “first rose” in Latin and is so called because it’s one of the first flowers to bloom in spring.
Rose comes from the Latin word rosa. Roses famously have many meanings depending on their color, but red roses symbolize true love.
Sakura means “cherry blossom” in Japanese, where the beautiful and fragrant flowers carry deep symbolism.
Tulip is thought to be derived from a Persian word for “turban.” In floriography, the tulip symbolizes a declaration of love.
Veronica comes from the Greek name Berenice and means “victory.” It’s the name for a large genus of flowers including speedwell and bird’s eye.
Violet was originally the flower of Valentine’s Day – it’s said Saint Valentine crushed violets to make ink and write letters while he was imprisoned for spreading Christianity.
Wisteria is yet another flower named after a horticulturist – this time Caspar Wistar. Wisteria flowers were commonly used in Japanese family crests.
Willow is a romantic, spring-blooming tree name, rooted in a German word meaning “bend, bow, or twist.”
Zinnia is a gorgeous, showy flower named after a German botanist with the last name Zinn. The flower symbolizes eternal friendship.
17 flower names for boys
Alder is an English surname and the name of a tree whose hanging flowers, called catkins, are clustered yellow and look like so many furry caterpillars.
Aster flowers are named after the Greek word for “star.” They’re associated with daintiness in floriography because of their long, delicate petals.
Bahia is a perennial flower from the aster family. This flower got its name from Spanish botanist Juan Francisco Bahi.
Basil means “kingly” or “royal” in Greek; it’s believed the aromatic herb and its flowers were used to make royal perfumes.
Cosmos comes from a Greek word meaning “order” and usually refers to the universe, though it’s also the name of a colorful annual flower that adorns many gardens.
Fennel is a flowering perennial herb with a sweet fragrance. It comes from a Latin word for “hay.”
Florian comes from the ancient Roman name Florianus, and comes from Latin words for “blond” and “flowering.”
Galanthus is another name for the snow drop flower and derives from Greek words meaning “milk flower.” Snowdrops are among the first flowers to bloom in late winter, and symbolize hope.
Gentian was named after an ancient king who supposedly discovered the plant’s use in beverages – it’s now a common ingredient in aperitifs.
Heath is an Old English name for someone who lived near a moor or heath.
Jarrah is a type of eucalyptus tree native to Australia. It produces a thick, sweet-tasting honey, and its wood is used to make furniture and musical instruments.
Kamal has meanings in many languages, including “lotus” in Sanskrit and “perfection” in Persian. The Brahma kamal plant is sacred in Hindu traditions.
Lupin comes from a Latin word meaning “wolfish.” Lupin flowers are vibrant and long-blooming.
Phlox is rooted in a Greek word for “flame,” so named because of the plant’s intensely colored flowers.
Senna is a group of flowering plants native to the tropics. Its name derives from an Arabic word that means “to shine.”
Sorrel is a perennial herb plant with small, round flowers. Its name derives from an Old French word meaning “sour,” because of the taste of its leaves.
William refers here to the flower called sweet William. The English common name for a dianthus flower, “sweet William” is a common name for gallant young men in English folklore.
15 unique flower names
These lovely and unusual flower names didn’t appear in the top 500 baby names in 2021.
Anemone is a Greek name that means “wind flower” or “daughter of the wind.” In Greek myth, the flower sprung up from Aphrodite’s tears after the other gods killed her lover Adonis out of jealousy.
Capucine is the French word for the nasturtium flower. It comes from a French word meaning “hood” or “cape.”
Chrysanthemum comes from Greek words meaning “golden flower.” In many European countries, chrysanthemums are used in funerals and placed on graves.
Gladiola is rooted in a Latin word meaning “small sword.” The gladiolus flower is also called “sword lily,” and in floriography, it means “you pierce my heart.”
Malva is the original Latin word for mallow. It’s one of the earliest plants mentioned in recorded literature, and had many uses in ancient times.
Eglantine is another word for sweet briar, rooted in a Latin word for “thorny.”
Floriana is the feminine version of Florian, which derives from a Latin name meaning “blond” or “flowering.”
Ixora is a gorgeous flowering tropical plant commonly known as West Indian jasmine. Its name is a Portuguese translation of a Sanskrit word meaning “lord.”
Jessamine is a lovely and unusual French variation of Jasmine. With Persian roots, this name means “god’s gift.”
Jonquil is a flower the name of a specific hue of yellow. Also known as the rush daffodil, this name comes from a Latin word for “rush” (as in the plant).
Laelia is the name of a Mexican orchid. In floriography, orchids symbolize elegance and beauty.
Scilla is a flower older than Roman naturalist Pliny the Elder. Its name derives from a Greek word meaning “sea onion.”
Tansy flowers are also called “golden buttons.” Their name derives from a Latin word meaning “immortal.”
Viola is rooted in Latin and means “violet.”
Kalina is the word for the viburnum plant in several Slavic languages. Its bark can be used to treat muscle cramps.
11 cool flower names
We think these flower names have just the right cool factor. Some are popular, some more obscure, but each one is cool in its own way.
Althea is a medicinal flower and comes from a Greek word meaning “healer.”
Amaryllis means “to sparkle” and is named after a character in Roman poet Virgil’s writings.
Begonia was named in honor of a French politician and plant collector – in floriography, it symbolizes repaying a favor because of this.
Calanthe is a type of orchid, also known as Christmas orchids. In Greek it means “beautiful flower.”
Jacinta is the Spanish and Portuguese version of the Greek-rooted hyacinth. In floriography, these flowers are used as an apology.
Yolanda derives from the Greek word for “violet.”
Lotus is rooted in Greek, and may be connected to the Hebrew word for myrrh. Lotus flowers are considered sacred some religions.
Magnolia is named after French botanist Pierre Magnol. These flowers symbolize dignity and are often associated with the American South, where the majestic trees grow in abundance.
Tigerlily is an ornamental orange and black lily variety, a flower featured in Lewis Carrol’s Alice in Wonderland.
Sage is a fragrant flowering herb that blooms in early summer. Its Latin root means “healthy,” and the word sage is used to describe a wise person.
Soshi is a nickname for the Hebrew name Shoshanna, which in Biblical times meant “lily” – though in modern times, it means “rose.”
9 cute flower names
Bluebell is a playful name that describes a perfectly magical flower that carpets the forest floor in spring with deep violet blue color.
Ivy is a fall blooming vine. It’s derived from an Old English word and is a symbol for loyalty and attachment.
Kielo is Finnish for “lily of the valley,” the national flower of Finland. Lilies of the valley symbolize the return of happiness in floriography.
Lala means “tulip” in Persian. In floriography, the tulip symbolizes a declaration of love.
Mio is a short and sweet name that, depending on the kanji characters used to write it, means “cherry blossom” in Japanese.
Marigold is a perennial flower from the sunflower family. Marigolds are used to celebrate Dia de los Muertos in Mexico.
Florentina is yet another a flowery name that comes from a Latin word meaning “blossoming.”
Ione means “violet flower” and is a variety of orchid. It’s also the name of a mythological Greek nymph.
Ren is unisex and comes from a Japanese word for “lotus.”
10 pretty flower names
Marguerite is an elegant French name and a variety of daisy. Like its English counterpart Margaret, it means “pearl.”
Calla is the name of a variety of lily and derives from a Greek word meaning “beautiful.”
Cassia is a tropical tree with brilliant yellow flowers. Its name has Latin origins meaning “to strip off bark.”
Chrysanthos derives from Greek words meaning “golden flower.”
Eirlys is a snowdrop flower in Welsh – eir means “snow” and lys is “plant.”
Fleur is the French word for “flower,” and a lovely alternative to Flora.
Forsythia is a vibrant yellow flower named after a Scottish horticulturist. The name derives from a Scottish surname meaning “man of peace.”
Linnea is a flower named in honor of renowned Swedish botanist Carl Linnaeus. It means “twinflower.”
Lys is a French word for lily. The “fleur de lys” is a royal emblem and a symbol.
Olearia is an unusually pretty name, that of a daisy bush found in Australia, New Guinea, and New Zealand.
22 names that mean flower
Abeba is an Ethiopian name that means “flower.” It’s also a palindrome.
Anthony is rooted in the Greek word for “flower.”
Anthea is means “blossom” in Greek and is an alternative name for the goddess Hera.
Blossom is rooted in Old English and is another word for “to bloom” or “flower.”
Corolla means “small crown” and is the collective botanical name for a flower’s petals.
Erica is a genus of the flowering plant heather. It’s a feminine version of Eric, which derives from an Old Norse name meaning “eternal ruler.”
Euthalia means “flower” or “bloom” in Greek and is a genus of butterfly.
Fiore is an Italian surname that means “flower.”
Flora is the Latin word for “flower” and the name of the Roman goddess of fertility, flowers, and spring.
Florian is a boy’s name that comes from a Latin name meaning “flowering” or “prosperous.”
Hana means “flower” in Japanese.
Lei is a garland in Hawaii, usually made of flowers, that can symbolize friendship or peace.
Leilani means “heavenly flower” or “garland of flowers” in Hawaiian.
Lore means “flower” in Basque.
Holly was used to protect families against misfortune in many European pagan traditions.
Petal is the name for the often brightly colored leaves that surround and protect the reproductive parts of a flower. It derives from the Greek word for “leaf.”
Posey (also spelled Posy) refers to a small bunch or bouquet of flowers. The name may derive from the French word for “poetry.”
Roosevelt means “rose field” in Dutch.
Rhoda comes from the Greek word for “rose.”
Sharon, in this context, refers to the biblical Rose of Sharon, another name for a variety of hibiscus.
Susan is an English variation of the Hebrew name Shoshanna, which means “lily.”
Thalia is a joyful name that derives from an Ancient Greek word meaning “to flourish” or “to be verdant.” Thalia is also the goddess of comedy in Greek mythology.