Spring has officially arrived! The season is traditionally associated with rebirth, when gardens begin to burst into bloom after a long gray winter. Many of these flowers have wonderful evocative names especially apropos for a springtime babe. This year we focus on the more unusual spring flower names, moving beyond Lily and Lilac.
Anemone
Another ancient Greek mythological name, that of a flower sacred to Aphrodite, it is also known as the windflower. The anemone blooms early in the spring.
Azalea
A lovely spring-blooming blossom, prized for its beauty and richness of color, the Azalea is sometimes called the “take care of yourself” flower. As a baby name, it didn’t pop onto the top lists until 2012, but has now moved up to number 581 and 294 on Nameberry ― perhaps helped by connections to musical artists Azealia Banks and Iggy Azalea.
Bluebell
There were some raised eyebrows when Spice Girl Geri Halliwell called her daughter Bluebell Madonna in 2006, but in the decade since then, exotic flower names have become much more accepted ― and this one can also be seen as a combination of two trendy names ― Blue and Belle.
Camellia
This is a lovely flower name, in use since the 1930s, which in the language of flowers, denotes admiration and perfection. Camellia can be seen as a more distinctive variation on Amelia or Camilla.
Freesia
This lovely perennial fragrant flower named for a German botanist named Freese is often found in wedding bouquets. Parents might be attracted to a floral name that embraces the concept of freedom.
Marigold
Marigold, sometimes associated with the Virgin Mary, has moved from the pages of old British novels and children’s books onto an increasing number of birth certificates. One possible influence: Lady Edith’s daughter on “Downton Abbey.”
Orchid
The orchid projects an image of swank, sophistication and significant events. In the language of flowers it symbolizes love, beauty, refinement and thoughtfulness. With ‘O’ the current vowel du jour, this would make a striking possibility.
Primrose
Rose and her extensions are very much on trend these days ― Rosemary, Rosalind, Rosamund ― but this name, meaning first rose, puts it in second place. Featured in The Hunger Games, Primrose is now number 259 in England and 348 on Nameberry.
Tulip
One of the most popular flowers in the garden, Tulip is still a rarity in the nursery. It reached the spotlight when Rebecca Romijn and Jerry O’Connell used it as a middle name for one of their twin daughters in 2009.
Zinnia
The brightly colored Zinnia, loved by butterflies, hummingbirds and people, is a surprise late bloomer in the baby name garden ― perfect for the parent looking for a flower name with some zip. Never on the national popularity list, it’s now 549 on Nameberry.
