100 Flower and Plant Baby Names: Meanings & Origins

Floral-inspired names for babies were once a vintage sentiment. Names like Rose, Daisy, Violet, and Lily were most popular nearly a century ago. Just like other cyclical trends, the practice of naming babies after flowers has come back into fashion.

Names inspired by things that grow and bloom help connect us to the natural world. Flower and plant names can evoke a sense of innocence, simplicity, and reverence for nature. With the wide range of botanical names to choose from, there is sure to be a classic, unique, modern, bold, or creative moniker to suit your taste.

Popular Flower and Plant Baby Names for Girls

Learn more about the meanings, origin, and popularity of flower and plant-related baby names for girls.

Plant Names for Girls

Azalea
Blossom
Clementine
Dahlia
Hazel
Iris
Ivy
Juniper
Lily
Magnolia
Olive
Poppy
Sage
Violet
Willow

Alyssum

Origin: Greek
Meaning: A ground cover plant
Alternative Spellings & Variations: Alyssa, Alissa
Famous Namesakes: Alyssa Milano is an American actor, producer, singer, author, and activist.
Peak Popularity: Alyssum is a unique name that is not listed in the top 1,000 names for girls in the U.S. However, the variation Alyssa has been a Top 1,000 name since 1963. It reached number 11 in 1998.

Fun Fact: Alyssum is often referred to as sweet alyssum. Used in herbal medicine as a diuretic, it can also be added to salad or used as a colorful edible garnish.

Amaryllis

Origin: Greek
Meaning: Sparkling
Famous Namesakes: Amaryllis is the literary character and the heroine in Virgil's epic poem "Eclogues." Amaryllis is also the name of the piano student in the Broadway musical and movie "The Music Man."
Peak Popularity: Amaryllis is a unique name that is not listed in the top 1,000 names for girls.

Fun Fact: The United States imports more than 10 million amaryllis bulbs every year, mainly from Holland and South Africa.

Azalea

Origin: Greek
Meaning: Dry
Alternative Spellings & Variations: Azealia
Famous Namesakes: Iggy Azalea is an Australian-born musician and entertainer. Azealia Banks is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, and actor.
Peak Popularity: Azalea entered the Social Security list of top 1,000 names for the first time in 2012. It is currently at the peak of its popularity, ranking at 483 in 2020.

Fun Fact: In Mobile, Alabama, 50 high school seniors are chosen yearly to serve as official ambassadors for the city known as Azalea Trail Maids. The Maids wear a pastel-colored costume with a bodice, full skirt over a steel ring enforced hoop, pantaloons, gauntlets, cape, as well as a hat and parasol. Each costume costs between $3,500-$5,000 to construct.

Blossom

Origin: Old English
Meaning: Flower-like, to bloom
Famous Namesakes: Blossom Russo is a fictional character from the popular 1990's television sitcom "Blossom." Blossom Dearie was an American jazz singer and pianist during the second half of the 20th century.
Peak Popularity: Blossom entered the Social Security list of top 1,000 names for the first time in 1903. It peaked in 1925 when it ranked number 727.

Fun Fact: The character Blossom Russo in the television show "Blossom" was known to wear trademark hats adorned with oversized flowers.

Calla

Origin: Greek
Meaning: Beautiful, from the flower calla lily
Famous Namesakes: Calla Urbanski was a former American pair skater and two-time U.S. national champion.
Peak Popularity: Calla is a unique name that is not listed in the top 1,000 names for girls.

Fun Fact: Callas have always been known as a symbol of beauty. In Roman mythology, Venus, the goddess of love, sex, and beauty, felt so threatened by the beauty of these flowers that she cursed them to make them less attractive. The curse produced the yellow spike found in the center of each flower.

Camellia

Origin: Latin
Meaning: Helper to the priest; the flower was named after Jesuit botanist Georg Joseph Kamel
Alternative Spellings & Variations: Camilla
Famous Namesakes: Camellia Johnson was an American operatic soprano.
Peak Popularity: Camellia is a unique name that is not listed in the top 1,000 names for girls.

Fun Fact: In China, the camellia flower symbolizes eternal love. The petals represent the woman, and the protective calyx (the green part of the stem that holds the petals together) represents the man. When flowers fade, the petals typically fall, off leaving the calyx intact. However, with camellias, the petals and calyx fall away together in devotion to one another.

Chrysanta

Origin: Greek
Meaning: A shortened form of the word Chrysanthemum, meaning "golden flower"
Peak Popularity: Chrysanta is a unique name that is not listed in the top 1,000 names for girls.

Fun Fact: Chrysanthemum tea is a beverage popular in East and Southeast Asia, prepared by steeping dried chrysanthemum flowers in boiling water for a few minutes. The tea is said to reduce inflammation, calm the nerves, clear the mind, and boost the immune system, although so far the evidence for this has been restricted to animal studies.

Cicely

Origin: English
Meaning: Sweet cicely is a fern-like herb
Alternative Spellings & Variations: Cecily, Cecilia
Famous Namesakes: Cicely Tyson was an American actor who was nominated for an Academy Award and Golden Globe Award. Cecily Strong is an American actor, comedian, and cast member of "Saturday Night Live."
Peak Popularity: Cicely appeared for a couple of years on the top 1,000 names for girls in the 1970s. In 1973 it ranked 702, and in 1974 it ranked 608.

Fun Fact: Sweet cicely is part of the celery family. It also goes by the common names myrrh, garden myrrh, and sweet chervil.

Clementine

Origin: English
Meaning: Gentle; orange fruit
Famous Namesakes: Clementine Kruczynski is a fictional character played by Kate Winslet in "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind." Clementine is a muppet on Sesame Street. Clementine is also a fictional character in the TV show, "Caillou."
Peak Popularity: Clementine appeared consistently on the top 1,000 names for girls until the mid-1950s. It reappeared in 2014 and has been gaining traction since. The most popular year for Clementine since 1900 was in 1911, when it ranked 444. In 2020, it ranked at 610.

Fun Fact: The clementine is the smallest variety of orange, thus the brand name, "Cuties."

Clover

Origin: Old English
Meaning: Good luck
Famous Namesakes: Marian "Clover" Hooper Adams was an American socialite and photographer who was rumored to be the inspiration for Henry James’s novel "Portrait of a Lady." Clover the Clever is a character in the "My Little Pony" animated series.
Peak Popularity: Clover is a unique name that is not listed in the top 1,000 names for girls.

Fun Fact: There is only one "lucky" four-leaf clover for approximately every 10,000 three-leaf clovers. The four leaves of these lucky finds stand for faith, hope, love, and luck.

Dahlia

Origin: Latin, Hebrew
Meaning: Dahlia has more than one meaning. In Hebrew, it means "flowering branch," such as the tip of a grapevine or olive branch. The dahlia flower was named after Swedish botanist Anders Dahl. Dal is the Swedish word for “valley” and the dahlia is sometimes referred to as the “valley flower."
Alternative Spellings & Variations: Dalia
Famous Namesakes: Dahlia Salem is an American actor. Dahlia Duhaney was a Jamaican Olympic sprinter who won the world title in the women's 4 × 100 meter relay at the 1991 IAAF World Championships.
Peak Popularity: Dahlia entered the Social Security list of top 1,000 names for the first time in 2006. It is currently at the peak of its popularity, ranking at number 352 in 2020.

Fun Fact: Botanists in 18th-century Europe initially bred dahlias for food because of their edible tubers, which are said to taste like a mix between potatoes and radishes.

Daisy

Origin: Old English
Meaning: Day's eye
Famous Namesakes: Daisy Fuentes is a model and actor as well as MTV's first Latina video host. Daisy Ridley is an English actor who plays the role of Rey in the "Star Wars" sequel trilogy.
Peak Popularity: Daisy ranked in the Social Security list of top 1,000 names in 1900 at number 81. It hasn't been as popular since then but has continued to remain on the list of top 1,000 names.

Fun Fact: Kathleen Kelly, the protagonist in the classic romantic comedy "You've Got Mail," is a big fan of daisies. She famously quips, "They're so friendly. Don't you think daisies are the friendliest flower?"

Daphne

Origin: Greek
Meaning: Laurel tree, bay tree
Famous Namesakes: Daphne Bridgerton is a fictional main character from the Netflix historical drama series "Bridgerton." Daphne Zuniga is an American actor.
Peak Popularity: Daphne ranked in the Social Security list of top 1,000 names in 1900 at number 926. It peaked in 1962 at number 266 and has continued to remain on the list of top 1,000 names.

Fun Fact: In Greek mythology, the river god Peneus turned his nymph daughter Daphne into a laurel tree to save her from Apollo's romantic obsession.

Elowen

Origin: Cornish
Meaning: Elm
Alternative Spellings & Variations: Elowyn, Elowynn
Peak Popularity: Elowen is a unique name not ranked in the Social Security list of top 1,000 names.

Fun Fact: The traditional way to pronounce the name is with the emphasis on the middle syllable; however, English pronunciations tend to favor emphasis on the first syllable.

Fern

Origin: Old English
Meaning: Fern, feather
Alternative Spellings & Variations: Ferne
Famous Namesakes: Fern Arable is a character in the classic children's book "Charlotte's Web."
Peak Popularity: Fern ranked in the Social Security list of top 1,000 names in 1900 at number 193. It peaked in 1916 at number 152 and has continued to remain on the list of the top 1,000 names.

Fun Fact: The smallest fern measures only 0.5 inches high, while the largest fern can grow 80 feet tall. These green plants with feather-shaped fronds can be found in a variety of habitats, from sea level to mountain slopes, and on all continents except Antarctica.

Flora

Origin: Latin
Meaning: Flower
Alternative Spellings & Variations: Florence, Fleur
Famous Namesakes: Flora is the name of the Roman goddess of flowers and gardens. Florence Nightingale was a British nurse, social reformer, and statistician best known as the founder of modern nursing.
Peak Popularity: Flora ranked in the Social Security list of top 1,000 names in 1900 at number 106. It peaked in 1902 at number 100 and remains on the list of top 1,000 names.

Fun Fact: Flora is the name of one of the three good fairies in "Sleeping Beauty" to watch over Princess Aurora and bestow gifts on her. Flora grants the princess the gift of beauty.

Forsythia

Origin: Scottish
Meaning: Forsyth's flower
Peak Popularity: Forsythia is a unique name that is not ranked in the Social Security list of top 1,000 names.

Fun Fact: The forsythia was named for the Scottish botanist William Forsyth, whose surname means "man of peace."

Ginger

Origin: English
Meaning: Ginger plant
Alternative Spellings & Variations: Ginger can be a nickname for Virginia.
Famous Namesakes: Ginger Rogers was an iconic American actor, dancer, and singer during the Golden Age of Hollywood.
Peak Popularity: Ginger ranked in the Social Security list of top 1,000 names for the first time in 1933. It peaked in 1971 at number 187 and dropped off the list of top 1,000 names in 1990.

Fun Fact: People with red hair are often given the nickname Ginger. Some think it's because redheads are said to have a fiery personality, akin to the fieriness of the ginger root. However, the tropical red ginger plant puts out rich red flowers each season, which is likely the nickname's source.

Hazel

Origin: Old English
Meaning: Hazelnut tree
Famous Namesakes: Hazel Dickens was an American bluegrass singer who was known for her singing style and feminist songs. Hazel Brooks was a model and Hollywood star of the 1940s.
Peak Popularity: Hazel ranked in the Social Security list of top 1,000 names in 1900 at number 29. In 1901 it reached its pinnacle at number 23, then descended close to the bottom of the list in the 1990s. It has since rebounded and ranked 31 in 2020.

Fun Fact: Early English settlers learned how to use witch hazel sticks for dowsing—an ancient Mohegan way of finding underground water. People would hold the Y-shaped sticks and point them to the ground. When they walk over a source of water, the sticks would bend downwards indicating where to dig.

Heather

Origin: Middle English
Meaning: Evergreen flowering plant
Famous Namesakes: Heather Locklear is an American actor who once received four consecutive Golden Globe nominations for Best Actress.
Peak Popularity: Heather entered the Social Security list of top 1,000 names for the first time in 1935 when it was ranked number 870. It peaked in 1975 when it made its way all the way up to number 3.

Fun Fact: "Heathers" is a classic 1989 American comedy teen film that portrayed four teenage girls, three of whom were named Heather.

Holly

Origin: Old English
Meaning: Holly tree
Famous Namesakes: Holly Robinson Peete is an American actor, author, talk show host, activist, and philanthropist. Holly Hunter is an actor and the recipient of an Academy Award, a BAFTA Award, a Golden Globe Award, and two Primetime Emmy Awards.
Peak Popularity: Holly entered the Social Security list of top 1,000 names for the first time in 1936 at number 981. It peaked in 1979 and 1983 when it was ranked number 48.

Fun Fact: Thor, the god of Thunder in Norse mythology, is rumored to be associated with the holly plant. Therefore, people would grow holly plants near their homes to prevent lightning strikes.

Indigo

Origin: Greek, English
Meaning: Purple-blue dye color from the plant Indigofera
Famous Namesakes: Indigo "Indi" Walker is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera "Home and Away."
Peak Popularity: Indigo is a unique name that is not listed in the top 1,000 names for girls.

Fun Fact: During the American gold rush when prospectors needed durable pants for working, they turned to blue jeans. Most dyes penetrate cloth fibers, but the blue indigo binds only to the cloth's threads. With each washing, some of these indigo dye molecules also wash away, along with bits of thread. This made jeans softer over time, and somewhat customizable to fit like a second skin.

Iris

Origin: Greek
Meaning: Rainbow; the iris flower
Famous Namesakes: Iris Bahr is an American-Israeli actor, author, and producer. Iris Chang was an American author best known for her best-selling 1997 book, "The Rape of Nanking."
Peak Popularity: Iris is currently at the peak of its popularity, ranking at number 127 in 2020.

Fun Fact: In Greek mythology, Iris was the goddess of the rainbow, as well as a messenger of the Olympian gods.

Ivy

Origin: Latin
Meaning: Vine
Famous Namesakes: Blue Ivy Carter, the daughter of musicians Beyoncé and Jay-Z, is an American singer and Instagram star.
Peak Popularity: Ivy ranked in the Social Security list of top 1,000 names in 1900 at number 383. It barely held on to the top 1,000 spot in 1944 when it dropped down to number 996. However, the name Ivy made a comeback and is currently at the peak of its popularity, ranking at number 58 in 2020.

Fun Fact: Ivy symbolizes fidelity and eternal life. When ivy grows, it clings on to its host and won't easily let go once attached. The plant is also evergreen, holding on to its leaves during the changing of the seasons.

Jasmine

Origin: Persian
Meaning: Gift from God
Alternative Spellings & Variations: Jessamine, Yasmin, Yasmine
Famous Namesakes: Princess Jasmine is Aladdin's spunky romantic interest from the Disney animated film "Aladdin." Yasmine Bleeth is an American actor best known for her role in the television show "Baywatch."
Peak Popularity: Jasmine entered the Social Security list of top 1,000 names for the first time in 1973 at number bentl863. It peaked in 1993 and 1994 when it ranked number 23 on the list.

Fun Fact: Popular for its sweet scent, Jasmine has been used for centuries as a fragrance and in tea. Jasmine oil is used in some of the world’s best-known perfumes, including Chanel No. 5.

Juniper

Origin: Latin
Meaning: Young, evergreen
Alternative Spellings & Variations: June
Famous Namesakes: Saint Juniper was a disciple of St. Francis of Assisi in the 13th century. The female protagonist in the movie "Benny & Joon" was named Juniper.
Peak Popularity: Juniper entered the Social Security list of top 1,000 names for the first time in 2011 at number 953. It quickly climbed the charts and is now at the peak of its popularity, ranking at number 172 in 2020.

Fun Fact: In ancient times, Europeans burned juniper berries to purify homes and ward off the plague. Juniper berries have been a common ingredient in Chinese herbal medicine for centuries to rid the body of impurities and toxins.

Laurel

Origin: Latin
Meaning: Laurel plant
Alternative Spellings & Variations: Laurelle, Lorelle
Famous Namesakes: Laurel Clark was an American astronaut.
Peak Popularity: Laurel entered the Social Security list of top 1,000 names for the first time in 1901 at number 869 and dropped on and off the list for the next two decades. It made its way back on the list and peaked in 1956 when it was ranked number 241.

Fun Fact: A laurel wreath is made by connecting the branches and leaves of bay laurel to create a crown or neck adornment. These were awarded to victors of competitions, including the ancient Olympics. To "rest on your laurels" means you are being complacent; still basking in former glories.

Lavender

Origin: Latin
Meaning: Sweet-smelling flower; soft purple
Famous Namesakes: Lavender Brown is a character in the "Harry Potter" saga. Lavender is also the name of the best friend character in Roald Dahl's book "Matilda."
Peak Popularity: Lavender does not appear on the top 1,000 list of girls' names.

Fun Fact: The lavender flower attracts bees with both its pollen and its nectar. Bees that feast on lavender nectar have been said to produce tastier honey.

Lily

Origin: Latin
Meaning: Lily flower; pure, white, innocent
Alternative Spellings & Variations: Lillie, Lilly
Famous Namesakes: Lily James is an English actor and model. Lily is also the name of Harry Potter's mother in the "Harry Potter" series.
Peak Popularity: Lily ranked in the Social Security list of top 1,000 names in 1900 at number 292. It barely held on to the top 1,000 spot in 1970 when its rank dropped to 992. However, the name Lily made a comeback and peaked in 2020 when it was ranked number 15.

Fun Fact: Pollen that falls on the lily's delicate petals can eat away at the flower. To increase the vase life of lilies, remove the pollen found in the stamens that protrude from the middle of the flower, and you'll be able to enjoy your lilies longer.

Magnolia

Origin: French, Latin
Meaning: Magnol's flower, named after French naturalist Pierre Magnol
Famous Namesakes: Princess Magnolia is a fictional character in the popular children's book series "The Princess in Black." Magnolia Hawks is a character in the 1926 novel "The Showboat."
Peak Popularity: Magnolia ranked in the Social Security list of top 1,000 names in 1900 at number 517. Between 1941 and 2012 it dropped out of the top 1,000 altogether. However, the name made a comeback and is climbing the charts. It is currently at the peak of its popularity, ranking at number 177 in 2020.

Fun Fact: The Magnolia Atlas boasts very large flowers, which can reach up to 14 inches across.

Maple

Origin: Old English
Meaning: Maple tree
Famous Namesakes: Maple is the free-spirited character who loves nature featured in Lori Nichol's children's book "Maple."
Peak Popularity: Maple entered the Social Security list of top 1,000 names just once in 1902 when it ranked 957. It hasn't made the list since then.

Fun Fact: The maple tree is the source for many common goods like pancake syrup, and wood for furniture, bowling pins, baseball bats, musical instruments, and butcher's blocks.

Marigold

Origin: English
Meaning: Golden flower. Historically called "Mary's Gold," these flowers are associated with the Virgin Mary.
Famous Namesakes: Marigold is the name of a little girl in the popular period drama "Downton Abbey".
Peak Popularity: Marigold is a unique name that is not listed in the top 1,000 names for girls.

Fun Fact: Droplets of dew gather in marigolds at night when its petals are folded up. When the petals open in the morning, they drip down like tears. Shakespeare referenced this in "A Winter's Tale" by writing, "The Marygold that goes to bed with the sun, And with him rises weeping."

Meadow

Origin: Old English
Meaning: Field of grass, vegetation
Famous Namesakes: Meadow Sisto is an American actor. The name Meadow was also used for characters in television shows, "The Sopranos," "Orange is the New Black," and "American Horror Story: Cult."
Peak Popularity: Meadow entered the Social Security list of top 1,000 names for the first time in 2001 at number 806. The name almost dropped out of the top 1,000 names list in 2013. However, it made a comeback and is currently at the peak of its popularity, since ranking at number 476 in 2020.

Fun Fact: "Over in the Meadow" is a classic children's rhyme written in 1870 that teaches counting using animal references. Many different variations of the song exist, and new ones are still being created.

Myrtle

Origin: Greek
Meaning: Evergreen shrub
Famous Namesakes: Myrtle McAteer is an American tennis player who won the U.S. National Championships (now known as the U.S. Open) singles title in 1900, and doubles titles in 1899 and 1901.
Peak Popularity: Myrtle ranked in the Social Security list of top 1,000 names in 1900 at number 32, but its popularity steadily declined until it dropped off the list in 1966.

Fun Fact: Myrtle plants are associated with the goddesses of love. The Roman goddess Venus and the Greek goddess Aphrodite both used myrtle for crowns.

Olive

Origin: Latin
Meaning: Olive, olive tree
Alternative Spellings & Variations: Olivia
Famous Namesakes: Olive Marie Osmond is an American singer and actor who is a member of the Osmond show-business family,
Peak Popularity: Olive ranked in the Social Security list of top 1,000 names in 1900 at number 95. It dropped off the list after 1950 and finally made its way back in 2007. It ranked at number 197 in 2020.

Fun Fact: Olive Oyl is the name of a cartoon character who made her appearance in the 1920s. She first debuted as the main character of a comic strip called "Thimble Theatre." The strip was later renamed "Popeye" after the well-known sailor character.

Parsley

Origin: French, English
Meaning: To cross the water; leafy, green herb
Famous Namesakes: Parsley is more popular as a surname. Ambrosia Parsley is an American alternative singer/songwriter.
Peak Popularity: Parsley is a unique name that does not appear on the Social Security list of top 1,000 names.

Fun Fact: Parsley is mostly known as a leafy herb, but there is a variety that also grows as a root vegetable.

Pepper

Origin: English
Meaning: Berry; vining plant that produces a common spice
Famous Namesakes: Pepper Potts is Tony Stark's assistant and love interest in the Marvel series. Pepper is a fictional character in the musical, "Annie."
Peak Popularity: Since 1900, Pepper has only appeared one time on the Social Security list of top 1,000 names. In 1975 it ranked 956.

Fun Fact: Black pepper is the world's most traded and popular spice.

Poppy

Origin: Latin
Meaning: Red flower
Famous Namesakes: Poppy Pomfrey is the nurse in the “Harry Potter” series. Poppy Lifton is a character in “Gossip Girl."
Peak Popularity: Poppy first entered the Social Security list of top 1,000 names in 2016 at number 747. It has continued to climb the charts and is now at the peak of its popularity, ranking at number 462 in 2020.

Fun Fact: Poppy is the name of the pink-haired princess from the animated movie "Trolls." She’s always upbeat, energetic, kind, and endlessly optimistic. Her ever-positive and spunky personality inspires others and saves the day.

Primrose

Origin: English
Meaning: First rose; tree of the moor
Famous Namesakes: Primrose "Prim" Everdeen is a fictional character in the "Hunger Games" series.
Peak Popularity: Primrose is a unique name that does not appear in the Social Security list of top 1,000 names.

Fun Fact: Primrose is found near streams, in shady areas like forests, and under bushes.

Rose

Origin: Latin
Meaning: The rose flower; a warm pink color
Alternative Spellings & Variations: Rosie, Rosy, Rosa
Famous Namesakes: Rose Leslie is a Scottish actor best known for her role in HBO series "Game of Thrones." Rose McGowan is an American actor who starred in the television series "Charmed."
Peak Popularity: Rose ranked in the Social Security list of top 1,000 names in 1900 at number 18. It peaked in 1911 and 1913 when it was ranked number 14. The name remained on the list throughout the decades and is currently ranked number 113 in 2020.

Fun Fact: The world's most expensive rose cultivar was sold for $15.8 million in 2006. Famous rose breeder David Austin spent 15 years and $5 million breeding the Juliet rose, an abundant peach rose with a deep apricot heart.

Rosemary

Origin: Latin
Meaning: Dew of the sea, due to its salty texture and ability to thrive in coastal climates
Alternative Spellings & Variations: Rosemarie, Rosemery
Famous Namesakes: Rosemary Kennedy was the sister of President John F Kennedy. Rosemary Clooney was a popular singer, actor, and musician in the 1950s.
Peak Popularity: Rosemary ranked in the Social Security list of top 1,000 names in 1900 at number 539. It remains on the list but peaked in 1946 when it was ranked number 74.

Fun Fact: Ancient Greek, Roman, Arab, and European herbalists extolled the many uses for rosemary, including in beauty regimens. It was also regarded as the herb of memory; the leaves were supposed to quicken the mind and prevent forgetfulness.

Rue

Origin: English, Greek
Meaning: Herb; regret
Famous Namesakes: Rue McClanahan was an American actor best known for her role in the TV series "The Golden Girls." Rue is also a fictional character in the series "The Hunger Games."
Peak Popularity: Rue is a unique name that does not appear on the Social Security list of top 1,000 names.

Fun Fact: Rue is known for its symbolism of regret, and in literature it has been called "herb of grace."

Sage

Origin: Latin
Meaning: Leafy herb; wise
Famous Namesakes: Sage Spence is a character on the television show "Gossip Girl."
Peak Popularity: Sage entered the Social Security list of top 1,000 names in 1993 at number 912. It is currently at the peak of its popularity since ranking at number 223 in 2020.

Fun Fact: Charlemagne, King of the Franks and Emperor of the West, ordered sage to be planted on the German Imperial farms in 812 A.D. because it was highly prized for its medicinal and trading value.

Savannah

Origin: Spanish
Meaning: Grassy plain
Alternative Spellings & Variations: Savana, Savanah, Savanna
Famous Namesakes: Savannah Guthrie is a broadcast journalist and co-anchor of NBC's "Today" show. Character in the 1982 movie, "Savannah Smiles."
Peak Popularity: Savannah was consistently on the Social Security list of top 1,000 names from 1900 to 1931. At that point, it fell off for more than 50 years, not reappearing until 1983. Between the mid-90s and 2018, it was a top-50 name for girls. It peaked in popularity in 2006 and 2007 at number 30.

Fun Fact: Savannah derives from the Taino (indigenous people of the Caribbean) word, "zabana."

Sequoia

Origin: Native American (Cherokee)
Meaning: Giant redwood tree
Alternative Spellings & Variations: Sequoya, Sequoyah
Famous Namesakes: Sequoyah was a Native American who created the Cherokee syllabary, which allowed for reading and writing in Cherokee. Sequoia National Park, located in California's Sierra Nevada Mountains, is known for its enormous sequoia trees.
Peak Popularity: Sequoia is a unique gender-neutral name that does not appear on the Social Security list of top 1,000 names.

Fun Fact: Sequoia is one of three coniferous trees known as redwoods. Found only in California, these enormous trees can span up to 30 feet in diameter and reach heights of up to 314 feet tall.

Veronica

Origin: Greek/Latin
Meaning: She who brings victory; plant with small, bright blue flowers.
Famous Namesakes: Saint Veronica is the patron saint of photographers. Veronica Lake was an actor during the Golden Age of Hollywood in the 1940s. Veronica Mars is the titular character of an American teen mystery drama television series.
Peak Popularity: Veronica ranked in the Social Security list of top 1,000 names in 1900 at number 213. It has remained on the list and peaked at number 68 three times since, the last being in 1983.

Fun Fact: According to extra-Biblical tradition, Saint Veronica was so moved when watching Jesus carrying the cross to Calvary that she gave him her veil to wipe his forehead. When Jesus returned it to her, the image of his face was miraculously imprinted on it.

Violet

Origin: Latin
Meaning: Purple flower, purple color
Famous Namesakes: Violet Oakley was a renowned American artist of mural decoration during the first quarter of the twentieth century. She was also the first American woman to receive a public mural commission.
Peak Popularity: Violet ranked in the Social Security list of top 1,000 names in 1900 at number 109. It dropped off the list many times from the 1970s to the 1990s. However, once it joined the list again in 1998 it steadily increased in popularity. It is currently at the peak of its popularity, after ranking at number 37 in 2020.

Fun Fact: Napoleon Bonaparte declared violets his signature flower. His friends and followers began to wear violets, or violet-colored ribbons, as a way of signaling to other supporters that they were Bonapartists.

Willow

Origin: Old English
Meaning: Tree that grows by water
Alternative Spellings & Variations: Willa
Famous Namesakes: Willow Smith, daughter of actors Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith, is an American singer, songwriter, rapper, record producer, actor, and dancer.
Peak Popularity: Willow entered the Social Security list of top 1,000 names for the first time in 1998 at number 854. It has been steadily increasing in popularity and is currently at its peak, ranking at number 45 in 2019.

Fun Fact: The weeping willow gets its name from the way that rainwater drips off the long, flowing branches like tears.

Wisteria

Origin: German
Meaning: Flowering vine named for Caspar Wistar
Peak Popularity: Wisteria is a unique name that is not listed in the Social Security's top 1,000 names.

Fun Fact: In kabuki (Japanese dance drama), the Fuji Musume ("The Wisteria Maiden") is a dance dramatization, where a maiden becomes the spirit of wisteria.

Zinnia

Origin: German
Meaning: Brightly colored flower in the daisy and sunflower family
Alternative Spellings & Variations: Zinny, Nia
Famous Namesakes: In Roald Dahl's book "Matilda," Zinnia is the name of Matilda's mother. Zinnia is also the main character in Sharon Creech's book "Chasing Redbird."
Peak Popularity: Zinnia is a unique name that is not listed in the Social Security's top 1,000 names.

Fun Fact: The zinnia is named for German botanist Johann Gottfried Zinn.

Popular Plant Baby Names for Boys

Botanical names aren't reserved for girls. Learn more about plant-related baby names for boys.

Ash

Origin: Old English
Meaning: Ash tree
Alternative Spellings & Variations: Ashe, Ashton
Famous Namesakes: Ash is the boy hero of the Pokemon cartoons. Ash Fox is the son of Mr. Fox in the animated film "Fantastic Mr. Fox."
Peak Popularity: Ash is a unique name that is not listed in the top 1,000 names for boys.

Fun Fact: In Norse mythology, the universe was connected in the center by the world tree Yggdrasil. This tree is commonly thought to be an ash tree, from which the first man was formed. The first woman was said to have been formed from an alder tree.

Aspen

Origin: Old English
Meaning: Deciduous tree native to northern climates
Famous Namesakes: Aspen Miller is a Broadway actor and singer.
Peak Popularity: In 2020, Aspen was ranked 224 in popularity for girl's names. It did not make the top 1,000 names for boys.

Fun Fact: Although it has taken traction lately with girls, Aspen is a gender neutral name. The name means "quaking tree" because of the way the tree's heart-shaped leaves tremble in the breeze.

Aster

Origin: Greek
Meaning: Star
Famous Namesakes: Aster Berkhof was the pen name of Belgian writer Lodewijk Paulina Van Den Bergh. He wrote dozens of novels between the years 1947 and the early 1990s.
Peak Popularity: Aster is a unique name, not listed on the Social Security list of top 1,000 names.

Fun Fact: Aster is a perennial flower native to Europe and Asia. The flowers look similar to a daisy and are often pink or purple.

Balsam

Origin: Latin
Meaning: Aromatic resin; a type of evergreen tree
Peak Popularity: Balsam is a unique name that is not listed on the Social Security list of top 1,000 names.

Fun Fact: Balsam also has Aramaic, Arabic, and Hebrew roots in which the word means spice or perfume.

Bay

Origin: Latin
Meaning: Berry; also bay tree; also coastal body of water
Famous Namesakes: Bay is most common as a surname. Michael Bay is an American filmmaker most famous for his "Transformers" movies.
Peak Popularity: Bay is a unique name not listed on the Social Security list of top 1,000 names.

Fun Fact: As the supercontinent Pangea broke up along fault lines, large bays were created, including the Gulf of Guinea, the Gulf of Mexico, and the Bay of Bengal.

Basil

Origin: Greek
Meaning: Herb, Greek for "King"
Alternative Spellings & Variations: Basel, Basile, Bazil, Bacil, Basilo
Famous Namesakes: Basil Rathbone was an English actor from the 1930s and 1940s who appeared in more than 70 films. Basil is also the name of the hero and title character in the Disney animated film "The Great Mouse Detective."
Peak Popularity: Basil entered the Social Security list of top 1,000 names for the first time in 1900 at number 359. It steadily decreased in popularity, dropping off the list in 1971.

Fun Fact: In plant lore and legends, basil leaves will turn into scorpions if left to rot under an earthen jar. It was said that if someone sniffs the basil's scent too frequently, they could end up growing scorpions in the brain.

Bentley

Origin: Old English
Meaning: Bent grass, woodland, or clearing
Famous Namesakes: Bentley Drummle is a character in "Great Expectations," a classic novel by Charles Dickens. Bentley Mitchum is an American actor who has appeared in over 40 films and television series.
Peak Popularity: Bentley entered the Social Security list of top 1,000 names for the first time in 1961 at number 951. It dropped out of the list in 1963 and reentered it in 2007. It peaked in 2011 and 2012 when it ranked 75th on the list.

Fun Fact: Bentley, the British luxury automotive company, unveiled their Bacalar two-seater cars in 2020. Only 12 of them were sold, individually personalized for buyers, and reportedly worth about $2 million each.

Birch

Origin: English
Meaning: A deciduous tree with distinctive white, silver, black, or gray bark
Alternative Spellings & Variations: Birk (Scandinavian)
Famous Namesakes: Birch Wilson was an American political activist and member of the Socialist Party of America in the 1920s. Birch Bayh was a U.S. senator from Indiana from the 1960s to the early 1980s.
Peak Popularity: Birch is a unique name that is not listed in the top 1,000 names for boys.

Fun Fact: Birch is thought to ward off evil and offer courage, according to Celtic mythology.

Bramble

Origin: Old English
Meaning: A thicket or thorny shrub
Alternative Spellings & Variations: Bram
Famous Namesakes: Bramble is more common as a surname. Titus Bramble is a former English professional soccer player, who played in the Premier League from 2000 to 2013.
Peak Popularity: Bramble is a unique name that is not listed in the top 1,000 names for boys.

Fun Fact: Bramble often refers to prickly shrubs such as raspberries and blackberries. It can also describe rose bushes.

Bramwell

Origin: Old English
Meaning: Nook of land where broom shrub grows
Alternative Spellings & Variations: Branwell
Famous Namesakes: Bramwell Fletcher was an English actor who appeared in both the last silent film and the first talking picture produced in Britain. He then worked in Hollywood and on Broadway for several decades.
Peak Popularity: Bramwell is a unique name that is not listed in the top 1,000 names for boys.

Fun Fact: "Bramwell" is a period drama that tells the story of Eleanor Bramwell, a pioneering female doctor in the late 19th century who brings medicine and women's rights to the East End of London. The character is based on a combination of multiple historical figures.

Briar

Origin: English
Meaning: Thorny, prickly plant
Famous Namesakes: Briar Nolet is a Canadian dancer and actor, most famous for her role in the TV series, "The Next Step." She also competed in "World of Dance."
Peak Popularity: Briar has been an increasingly popular gender neutral name in the U.S. since 2015. For boys, it ranked in popularity at 755 in 2020 on the Social Security list of top 1,000 names.

Fun Fact: In the Grimm fairy tale, "Sleeping Beauty," the princess's name is Briar Rose.

Cedar

Origin: Greek
Meaning: Coniferous tree native to the Mediterranean and Himalayas
Famous Namesakes: Cedar Walton, Jr. was a famous American jazz musician, who rose in popularity when he was part of the band The Jazz Messengers. Cedar Sigo is a Suquamish author and poet born in the Puget Sound area.
Peak Popularity: Cedar is a unique name that is not listed in the top 1,000 names for boys.

Fun Fact: Cedars are evergreen trees with needle-like leaves.

Clove

Origin: German
Meaning: Buds of an evergreen tree, commonly used as a spice
Famous Namesakes: Clove is a fictional character in the book series "The Hunger Games." She is a tribute from District Two and one of Katniss's main opponents.
Peak Popularity: Clove is a unique name that is not listed in the top 1,000 names for boys.

Fun Fact: Cloves are often used as a spice in hot beverages or baked goods to add spice and warmth.

Coleus

Origin: Greek
Meaning: Flowering plant in the mint family
Alternative Spellings & Variations: Cole
Famous Namesakes: Cole Sprouse is an American actor most famous for his roles in "The Suite Life of Zack and Cody," "Riverdale," and "Five Feet Apart."
Peak Popularity: Coleus is a unique name that is not listed in the top 1,000 names for boys. However, Cole peaked in popularity in the late 1990s and early 2000s. In 2002 and 2003 it ranked as the 69th most popular name. In 2020, Cole was ranked 131 in popularity for boys.

Fun Fact: Coleus is an ornamental plant that likes bright, indirect sunlight.

Coriander

Origin: Greek
Meaning: Dried cilantro seeds used as a spice
Alternative Spellings & Variations: Cory, Corey, Andy, Ander
Peak Popularity: Coriander is a unique name that is not listed in the top 1,000 names for boys. However, Cory and Corey were popular names in the 1980s—possibly due to the popularity of the actors Corey Haim and Corey Feldman, who starred together in films like "The Lost Boys," "Stand By Me," and "Goonies." In 2020, Corey ranked 525 in popularity for boys.

Fun Fact: Coriander is one of the oldest spices, dating back to 5000 B.C.

Cypress

Origin: Greek
Meaning: Coniferous tree, symbol of mourning
Alternative Spellings & Variations: Cyprus
Famous Namesakes: Cypress Hill is an American hip-hop group, most popular in the 1990s. They are the first hip hop group to have a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Peak Popularity: Cypress is a unique name that is not listed in the top 1,000 names for boys.

Fun Fact: In Greek mythology, Cyparissus was a boy beloved by Apollo. The boy accidentally killed his tamed stag and his grief was so profound it turned him into the cypress tree, a classic symbol of mourning.

Elm

Origin: English
Meaning: Deciduous tree native to continents in the Northern Hemisphere
Alternative Spellings & Variations: Elmer, Elmo
Famous Namesakes: There are no famous Elms, but there are some famous Elmers and Elmos. Elmer Fudd is a fictional cartoon character in the "Looney Tunes" series. Elmo is a Muppet on "Sesame Street."
Peak Popularity: Elm is a unique name that is not listed in the top 1,000 names for boys. Elmer was a popular name in the early 1900s, ranking at 38 in 1900. Elmer last showed up on the top 1,000 list in 2009 at 924.

Fun Fact: There are 35 species of elm tree.

Florian

Origin: Latin
Meaning: Flowering
Alternative Spellings & Variations: Floriano
Famous Namesakes: Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck is an award-winning film director whose American film "The Tourist" was nominated for three Golden Globe awards.
Peak Popularity: Florian entered the Social Security list of top 1,000 names for the first time in 1902 at number 968. It dropped off the list a few times in the 1900s but remained on the list until 1942. The name peaked at number 525 in 1917.

Fun Fact: Florian was a Roman emperor who reigned for only 88 days in the year 276.

Forrest

Origin: English
Meaning: Dweller near the woods
Alternative Spellings & Variations: Forest
Famous Namesakes: Forrest Gump is the titular character of a 1994 Oscar-winning American film. Forest Whitaker is an American actor, producer, and director. Forrest Gregg is a professional football Hall of Famer.
Peak Popularity: Forrest has been on the top 1,000 list since 1900 and peaked in 1913, when it ranked number 173.

Fun Fact: There were a lot of running scenes in the movie "Forrest Gump." The actor Tom Hanks who plays Forrest isn’t a runner, so his younger brother Jim Hanks subbed for him in wide shots.

Gentian

Origin: Albanian
Meaning: Plant with large, blue, trumpet-shaped flowers
Famous Namesakes: There are no famous Gentians in the U.S., but there are a number of famous professional Albanian soccer players named Gentian, including Gentian Begaja, Gentian Buzali, Gentian Hajdari, and Gentian Salmani.
Peak Popularity: Gentian is a unique name that is not listed in the top 1,000 names for boys.

Fun Fact: Gentian is named in honor of Gentius, an Illyrian king, who is said to have discovered the medicinal properties of the plant.

Hawthorn

Origin: Old English
Meaning: Near a hawthorn shrub or tree
Alternative Spellings & Variations: Hawthorne
Famous Namesakes: Nathaniel Hawthorne was an American novelist and short-story writer best known for "The Scarlet Letter."
Peak Popularity: Hawthorn is a unique name that is not listed in the top 1,000 names for boys.

Fun Fact: Hawthorn trees are also known as fairy trees in Celtic legends. In order not to disturb the fairies, farmers and landowners were often reluctant to cut down hawthorn trees. Sometimes you'll even see roads diverted around hawthorn trees for the same reason.

Heath

Origin: Old English
Meaning: Someone who lived by a moor or heath
Famous Namesakes: Heath Ledger was an Academy Award-winning Australian-born actor best known for his roles in "Brokeback Mountain" and "The Dark Knight."
Peak Popularity: Heath entered the Social Security list of top 1,000 names for the first time in 1966 at number 361. It increased in popularity during the 1970s and 1980s, peaking at number 181 in 1974. It is ranked number 983 in 2020.

Fun Fact: Actor Heath Ledger and his sister Kate Ledger were named after Heathcliff and Catherine, characters in Emily Bronte's famous novel “Wuthering Heights."

Ilan

Origin: Hebrew
Meaning: Tree
Alternative Spellings & Variations: Alon, Elon
Famous Namesakes: Ilan is not a popular name in the U.S. However, Ilan Averbuch is an Israeli artist who creates large-scale sculptures for gallery and outdoor spaces. Elon Musk is the founder of SpaceX and Tesla.
Peak Popularity: Ilan is a unique name that is not listed in the top 1,000 names for boys in the U.S. The variation, Elon, appeared once in 2018 at 940.

Fun Fact: Ilan also has South Indian origins, meaning "youth."

Jared

Origin: Hebrew
Meaning: Flowering plant in the mustard family; descending
Alternative Spellings & Variations: Jarred, Yared, Yered
Famous Namesakes: Jared Rushton is a former child actor best known for his roles in "Honey, I Shrunk the Kids," "Big," and "Overboard." Jared Kushner is most well-known for his role as an advisor to his father-in-law, President Donald Trump.
Peak Popularity: Jared has consistently been in the top 1,000 names for boys in the U.S. since 1938. It peaked in popularity in 1998 at 51.

Fun Fact: Lepidium jaredii is commonly known as Jared's pepperweed, and is endemic to California.

Indigo

Origin: Greek
Meaning: Dye from the plant species Indigofera
Famous Namesakes: American actor Lou Diamond Phillips has a daughter named Indigo. The Indigo Girls are an American folk duo.
Peak Popularity: Indigo is a unique gender-neutral name that is not on the top 1,000 names for boys or girls in the U.S.

Fun Fact: According to New Age concepts, indigo children are those who are believed to hold supernatural abilities.

Kale

Origin: Germanic
Meaning: Green, leafy, cruciferous vegetable
Alternative Spellings & Variations: Kayle, Kalen, Kail
Famous Namesakes: Kale Browne is an American soap opera actor, famous for his roles in "Another World" and "One Life to Live."
Peak Popularity: Kale showed up in the top 1,000 names for boys in the U.S. in the mid-1980s. It peaked in popularity in 2008 at 504. The most recent year Kale made the list was in 2014, when it ranked 971.

Fun Fact: Kale is also the Hawaiian variant of Charles, where it is pronounced KAH-leh and means "free man."

Koru

Origin: Māori
Meaning: The spiral shape on a new fern frond
Famous Namesakes: Kōru Abe is a professional shogi (Japanese chess) player.
Peak Popularity: Koru is a unique name that does not appear in the top 1,000 names for boys in the U.S.

Fun Fact: Koru is a common theme in Māori art. The symbol represents perpetual motion and returning to the point of origin.

Kunal

Origin: Hindi
Meaning: Lotus flower
Famous Namesakes: Kunal Nayyar is a British-Indian actor known for his role on "The Big Bang Theory."
Peak Popularity: While Kunal is a popular Indian name, it is unique in the U.S. and is not on the Social Security list of top 1,000 names.

Fun Fact: Kunal also means bird or person with beautiful eyes.

Layton

Origin: Old English
Meaning: Settlement with a leek garden
Alternative Spellings & Variations: Leighton
Famous Namesakes: Layton Kor was a well-known American rock climber who was active in the 1960s.
Peak Popularity: Layton entered the Social Security list of top 1,000 names for the first time in 1907 at number 907. It came on and off the list for the next four decades, dropped off for several decades starting in 1946, and then made its way back on in 2001. The name peaked in 2015 when it was ranked number 544.

Fun Fact: "Professor Layton" is a Nintendo video game series that follows the storyline of a renowned archaeologist and professor. It is a cross between a paperback mystery novel and a collection of brainteasers. The video game eventually spawned an animated film and a mobile spinoff.

Linden

Origin: German
Meaning: Linden tree, which is found in the Northern Hemisphere
Alternative Spellings & Variations: Lyndon
Famous Namesakes: Linden Ashby is an American actor and martial artist best known for his role in "Mortal Combat." Linden MacIntyre is a Canadian journalist. Linden Soles is a former CNN anchor.
Peak Popularity: Linden only showed up on the Social Security list of top 1,000 names briefly in the 1940s, where it peaked in 1947 at 929.

Fun Fact: The linden tree comes from the genus Tilia, which has about 30 species. Linden is the European species and basswood is the North American species.

Moss

Origin: English
Meaning: Spore-producing plant that grows in damp, shady areas
Famous Namesakes: Moss is most common as a surname. Donna Moss is a fictional character in the TV show, "The West Wing." Elisabeth Moss is an American actor best known for her role in "The Handmaid's Tale."
Peak Popularity: Moss in a unique name not included on the Social Security list of top 1,000 names.

Fun Fact: Mosses are sometimes used in green roofs and green walls (structures that are partially or completely covered in plants).

Narcissus

Origin: Greek
Meaning: Daffodil
Famous Namesakes: In author Rick Riordan's book series The Heroes of Olympus, Narcissus appears in "The Mark of Athena." In the "Harry Potter" series, Narcissa Malfoy is the mother of Draco Malfoy.
Peak Popularity: Narcissus is a unique name not appearing on the Social Security list of top 1,000 names.

Fun Fact: In Greek mythology, Narcissus was an attractive man who fell in love with himself and grew into the narcissus flower.

Oakley

Origin: Old English
Meaning: Oakwood or clearing
Alternative Spellings & Variations: Oaklee, Oak
Famous Namesakes: Oakley Hall was an American author whose most famous novel, "Warlock," was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 1958.
Peak Popularity: Oakley entered the Social Security list of top 1,000 names for the first time in 1901 at number 833. It dropped off the list in 1921. The name reappeared in the rankings in 2011 and has been climbing the charts. It is currently at the peak of its popularity, ranking at number 421 in 2020.

Fun Fact: In ancient Celtic folklore, the Oak King and Holly King represent summer and winter, who continually battle for control. The Oak King is the ruler of the summer, light, fertility, and growth.

Oleander

Origin: Greek
Meaning: Evergreen tree with small flowers
Alternative Spellings & Variations: Leander
Peak Popularity: Oleander is a unique name that does not appear on the Social Security list of top 1,000 names in the U.S.

Fun Fact: According to folklore, Leander drowned on his way to visit his lover. She cried out, "O, Leander!" on the shore, clutching white flowers, which were, of course, oleanders.

Orrin

Origin: Irish
Meaning: Pale green
Alternative Spellings & Variations: Orin, Oran, Otteran
Famous Namesakes: Saint Orin was the charioteer of Saint Patrick and is said to be the first Christian martyr in Ireland. Orrin Hatch is a retired U.S. Senator from Utah.
Peak Popularity: Orrin has not been on the Social Security list of top 1,000 names since 1961. The name peaked in popularity in 1915 at 575.

Fun Fact: Orrin is a variation of the Irish name Odran (Odhran).

Ponga

Origin: Māori
Meaning: Silver fern
Famous Namesakes: Ponga is most popular as a surname. Kalyn Ponga is an Australian professional rugby player.
Peak Popularity: Ponga is a unique name that is not listed in the Social Security list of top 1,000 names.

Fun Fact: The ponga fern was first discovered by the Māori (Indigenous people of New Zealand). The silvery underside of the leaves reflect moonlight, so the Maori would use the ferns as guideposts to travel in the dark.

Reed

Origin: Old English
Meaning: Tall, grass-like plant. Also means ruddy complexion, red.
Alternative Spellings & Variations: Reade, Reid
Famous Namesakes: Reed Howes was an American model from the early 20th Century who starred in both silent and sound films.
Peak Popularity: Reed has been among the top 1,000 boy's names in the U.S. since 1900. It peaked at number 317 in 2014.

Fun Fact: In many cultures, reeds were a popular material used to weave baskets. In the Bible, Jochebed saved her newborn son Moses by hiding him by a riverbed in a basket made of reeds.

Ren

Origin: Japanese
Meaning: Water lily
Famous Namesakes: Fictional character Ren McCormack is the protagonist in the movie "Footloose." MC Ren, stage name of Lorenzo Jerald Patterson, is a rapper from the group NWA.
Peak Popularity: Ren is a unique name that is not on the Social Security list of top 1,000 names.

Fun Fact: Ren also has Chinese roots, meaning "co-humanity." It is the Confucian virtue of being altruistic.

Rowan

Origin: Irish
Meaning: Rowan tree, thought to be magical
Alternative Spellings & Variations: Rawan, Roan
Famous Namesakes: Rowan Atkinson is a British actor, famous for the comedic character Mr. Bean. Rowan is also a fictional character in the Nintendo game "Fire Emblem Warriors."
Peak Popularity: Rowan first appeared on the Social Security list of top 1,000 names in 1999. While it is a gender neutral name, it is more popular with boys. In 2020 it reached its highest rank at 113.

Fun Fact: In the British Isles, popular folklore considers the rowan tree to be protective against bad magic and enchantments.

Rush

Origin: Old English
Meaning: Marshy, grass plant
Famous Namesakes: Rush Holt, Sr. was a U.S. politician who served on the West Virginia House of Delegates in the 1930s, 1940s, and 1950s. His son, Rush Holt, Jr. is also a politician, who served in Congress from 1999 to 2015. Probably most famous was conservative radio host Rush Limbaugh.
Peak Popularity: Rush has not made the Social Security list of top 1,000 names since the early 1900s. In 1903 it ranked at 836.

Fun Fact: This name may have first been given to signify someone who lived among the rushes.

Saffron

Origin: Arabic
Meaning: Aromatic, yellow-colored spice, from Persian meaning "gold leaves"
Famous Namesakes: Saffron is a gender neutral name. Saffron Burrows is a British-American actor known for her roles in "Boston Legal," "Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.," and "You."
Peak Popularity: Saffron is a unique name that does not appear on the Social Security list of top 1,000 names.

Fun Fact: Saffron is used in traditional medicine, as a fabric dye, and as perfume.

Sherwood

Origin: English
Meaning: Bright forest
Famous Namesakes: Sherwood is more popular as a surname, but it is also used as a given name. Sherwood Stewart is a former professional tennis player who was active in the sport in the 1970s and 1980s.
Peak Popularity: Sherwood last appeared on the Social Security list of top 1,000 names in 1959. It peaked in popularity in 1938 when it ranked number 534.

Fun Fact: Sherwood Forest is a royal forest in Nottinghamshire, England, most famous for its association with Robin Hood.

Sorrel

Origin: French
Meaning: An edible green plant with a sour, citrusy flavor
Famous Namesakes: Sorrel Carson was an Irish actor, director, and teacher. Sorrel Booke was an American actor most remembered for playing the role of "Boss" Hogg in "The Dukes of Hazzard."
Peak Popularity: Sorrel is a unique name that is not listed on the Social Security list of top 1,000 names.

Fun Fact: Sorrel is also known as "spinach dock" and "narrow-leaved dock." It is often used in salads.

Sylvan

Origin: Latin
Meaning: Wood, forest
Alternative Spellings & Variations: Silvan
Famous Namesakes: Sylvan Augustus Ebanks-Blake is an English former professional footballer.
Peak Popularity: Sylvan ranked in the Social Security list of top 1,000 names in 1900 at number 780. It came off the list several times in the next three decades and finally dropped off in 1936. The name peaked in 1912 when it ranked number 555.

Fun Fact: English Romantic poet John Keats refers to the urn in the poem "Ode on a Grecian Urn" as the Sylvan Historian. The urn is considered a keeper of history because its etchings depict scenes from daily life in forest settings.

Thorne

Origin: English
Meaning: Referring to a thorn bush
Famous Namesakes: Thorne is most popular as a surname. Callie Thorne is an American actor most known for her roles in the TV series "The Wire" and "Rescue Me."
Peak Popularity: Thorne is a unique name, not listed on the Social Security list of top 1,000 names.

Fun Fact: Plants grow thorns to protect themselves from being eaten.

Timothy

Origin: English
Meaning: Perennial grass native to Europe
Alternative Spellings & Variations: Tim, Timmy, Timothee
Famous Namesakes: Timothy Meadows is an American actor and comedian best known for being a cast member on "Saturday Night Live." Tim McGraw is a country music artist who has won three Grammy Awards.
Peak Popularity: Timothy has consistently been a popular name on the Social Security list of top 1,000 names. It gained the most traction in the mid-20th century, ranking 11th in 1960, 1966, and 1967. In 2020, it was 193.

Fun Fact: Timothy grass is also known as cat's tail. It is sometimes confused with meadow foxtail, but timothy flowers in the summer, whereas foxtail flowers in the spring.

Vernon

Origin: Gaul
Meaning: Alder tree, springlike, flourishing
Alternative Spellings & Variations: Vern, Vernard, Verne
Famous Namesakes: Vernon Davis is a former American professional football player. Vernon Wells is a former American professional baseball player.
Peak Popularity: Vernon last appeared on the Social Security list of top 1,000 names in 2003. It was most popular in 1919 and 1920, when it ranked at 65.

Fun Fact: Alder trees are often used in reforestation projects because they are great at helping to stabilize soil.

Vinca

Origin: Slovak
Meaning: Flowering plants native to the Northern Hemisphere, periwinkle
Peak Popularity: Vinca is a unique name that does not appear on the Social Security list of top 1,000 names.

Fun Fact: The chemotherapy agent vincristine that is used to treat some lymphomas and leukemias is derived from a closely related species, Catharanthus roseus.

William

Origin: German
Meaning: Sweet william is a flowering plant native to Europe and Asia
Alternative Spellings & Variations: Will, Willie, Willy, Bill, Billy, Liam
Famous Namesakes: Prince William, Duke of Cambridge; Bill Clinton, the 42nd president of the U.S.; William Faulkner, American writer; William Shakespeare, English poet and playwright; Will Smith, American actor and rapper.
Peak Popularity: William has consistently been one of the most popular boy's names in the U.S. In 1900 it was ranked number two on the Social Security list of top 1,000 names. In 2020 it ranked five.

Fun Fact: Sweet william was included in Catherine Middleton's wedding bouquet in tribute to her groom, Prince William.

Yarrow

Origin: English
Meaning: Flowering plant native to Europe, Asia, and North America, also means "rough stream"
Famous Namesakes: Yarrow is most common as a surname. Peter Yarrow is an American singer famous for being part of the 1960s folk group, Peter, Paul, and Mary.
Peak Popularity: Yarrow is a unique name not included on the Social Security list of top 1,000 names.

Fun Fact: The genus name Achillea comes from the mythical Greek warrior Achilles, who carried yarrow during battle to treat wounds.

12 Sources

Verywell Family uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Shahrbabaki MAV. The ethnobotanical study of medicinal plants in (Dehe-lolo-vameghabadbidoieh) Village, Kerman, Iran. J Medicinal Plants Byprod. 2016;1:105-111.
Hong S-I, Kwon S-H, Kim M-J, et al. Anxiolytic-like effects of chrysanthemum indicum aqueous extract in mice: possible involvement of GABAA receptors and 5-HT1A receptors. Biomol Ther (Seoul). 2012;20(4):413-417. doi:10.4062/biomolther.2012.20.4.413
The American Dahlia Society. Dahlia nomenclature and brief history.
Falcão S, Bacém I, Igrejas G, Rodrigues PJ, Vilas-Boas M, Amaral JS. Chemical composition and antimicrobial activity of hydrodistilled oil from juniper berries. Ind Crops Prod. 2018;124:878-884. doi:10.1016/j.indcrop.2018.08.069
International Trade Centre. These are the world's three most traded spices.
Gonzalez-Minero FJ, Bravo-Diaz L, Ayala-Gomez. Rosmarinus officinalis L. (rosemary): an ancient plant with uses in personal healthcare and cosmetics. Cosmetics. 2020;7(4):77. doi:10.3390/cosmetics7040077
Herb Society of America. Rosemary: quick facts.
Redwood National Park. The three redwoods.
Nadeem M, Anjum FM, Khan MI, Tehseen S, El-Ghorab A, Sultan JI. Nutritional and medicinal aspects of coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.): a review. Br Food J. 2013;115(5)743-755. doi:10.1108/00070701311331526
Museum of New Zealand. The significance of the silver fern.
Hosseinzadeh H, Nassiri-Asl M. Avicenna's (Ibn Sina) the Canon of Medicine and saffron (Crocus sativus): a review. Phytother Res. 2013;27(4):475-483. doi:10.1002/ptr.4784
Qu Y, Safonova O, de Luca V. Completion of the canonical pathway for assembly of anticancer drugs vincristine/vinblastine in Catharanthus roseus. Plant J. 2019;97(2):257-266. doi:10.1111/tpj.14111

Additional Reading

Social Security Administration. Popular Baby Names. 2021.

By Vicky Yip
Vicky is a freelance writer specializing on topics relating to prenatal care, motherhood, parenting, family, and home life. She is also a Senior Contributor for HoustonMoms (City Mom Collective).

See Our Editorial Process

Meet Our Review Board

Share Feedback

Was this page helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

What is your feedback?