From Jungalow interiors and succulent-loaded Instagram shelfies to palm-leaf-print everything, we have fallen hard for plants. In keeping with the trend of all things green, botanical-inspired baby names are still on the rise.
If you’re a nature lover, choosing a botanical baby name could be the perfect way to pass down your green thumb. Even if you aren’t so earthy (I can’t even keep my potted basil alive), we love the idea of giving a child a name deeply tied to nature, to the images of green fields, forests, and valleys. And this generation’s interest in nature and commitment to eco-activism means that these names will continue to have relevance beyond today.
So we dug up our favorite botanical baby names to inspire the tree hugger in you. Whether they evoke the openness of sprawling meadows or the depths of dense forests, these names are truly evergreen.
Abilene
Abby? Lena? We love all the nickname possibilities for Abilene. A pretty alternative to Abigail that means “grass,” Abilene is also a place name and might work best if you’re outside Texas.
Arbor
Evoking the tree’s qualities of strength and stability, Arbor is a solid name with Latin roots. It’s a not-so-flowery nature-name choice with the substantive feel of an established surname.
Briar
Meaning “thorned shrubs,” Briar is most famously tied to Briar Rose, Princess Aurora’s name in Sleeping Beauty. This name is as strong as it is romantic.
Calix
In nature, the calyx is the part of the flower that protects the developing bloom. As a name, Calix is a bold original that has familiar nicknames in Cal and Callie. Calix also reminds us of Felix, which has shedded its Felix the Cat associations and is poised for a comeback.
Cedar
You can already smell the warm, woodsy scent of the cedar tree when you hear this name. The name Cedar is both soft and rugged and could be a great option for outdoorsy types. Or, for music lovers, it could summon jazz-pianist namesake Cedar Walton.
Hazel
The most popular name on our list, and a favorite among celebrities, Hazel is firmly planted in the top 50 baby names in the US. A name taken from the hazelnut tree, Hazel is also a color baby name and could be a subtle way to honor a hazel-eyed loved one.
Himari
A Japanese beauty, the name Himari means “good hollyhock” and is currently popular in Japan. The hollyhock’s historical significance in Japan is celebrated at the annual hollyhock festival, “Aoi Matsuri,” in Kyoto. We love the name’s -ari ending and nickname option Mari.
Ivy
Ivy brings instantly to mind the images of old brick mansions and secret gardens crawling with the plant that is its namesake. Equal parts mysterious and powerful, it’s a favorite around here.
Juniper
This name has a quirky, energetic vibe that seems perfect for a spirited child. First entering the top 1000 in this decade, Juniper fits with the other trending botanicals and has the desirable -er ending found in many of the surname names. We also love every nickname option: Juno, June, and Junie.
Laurel
A literal evergreen, Laurel is at once a sweet name (bringing to mind the classically elegant Laura) and a commanding one (the laurel wreath is a symbol of victory).
Linden
A name of English origin, Linden is perhaps best known as a tree that symbolizes healing, love, and friendship. Not bad associations for a beloved child! An alternate spelling is Lyndon, as in, Lyndon B. Johnson, former US president.
Linnea
While extremely popular in Scandinavia, this name doesn’t even crack the top 1000 in the United States. Meaning “twinflower” or “lime tree,” Linnea is a hidden gem of a name that could be used for its own merits or as a way to honor a beloved Lynn or Linda.
Oren
A Hebrew name meaning “pine” or “ash tree,” Oren has a similar feel to Owen, Aaron, and Orson, but with a nature twist. The name itself has a wide history of usage, lending it many variations that include Orrin, Oran, Orenthal, and Orren.
Reed
Reed, or the more popular spelling, Reid, is a surname name that means “red-haired.” But this spelling links it to the skinny stems that grow on marshy ground. Its monosyllabic simplicity makes it an easy middle name choice for a long first name.
Rowan
There’s something magical about Rowan. Maybe it’s tied into its witchy associations within European folklore, or it could have something to do with the beauty of this berry-bearing tree. Either way, Rowan has earned its growing popularity.
Vale
Vale was virtually unused as a name until Savannah Guthrie chose it for her daughter in 2014, making us all wonder where this great name had been hiding. Another word for “valley,” Vale has nature ties but could also work as a place name, evoking Vail, Colorado.
Those are are favorite botanical baby names. Now let us know yours! Which would you choose? And be sure to check out our floral name list for more nature-inspired picks!
Sorry if this comment is a tad too long for anybody reading this, but there is a lot I want to comment here.
A long while back, I had thought about Blackthorn as a potential baby name, seeing as that that is a nod to the supposed derivation of my (Polish) surname. Back then, I see it as more feminine because of its image but now, I feel it’s perfectly equal. Of course, when I did a poll on that name on Behind the Name several years ago, most people didn’t share my initial thoughts on the name.
Another thing that I want to comment on is the name Himari. I want to point out that with some Japanese names, their derivations go much deeper than what the different kanji used mean. I did a post on that name on my Japanese name blog ‘Beyond Sakura and Hiroshi’ recently. In that post, I mentioned that this name is basically a shortening of Himawari (also used as a name) meaning “sunflower” (向日葵) and the derivation of that word/name refers to the misconception that the (fully grown) sunflowers follow the direction of the sun.
Thanks for your thoughts on Blackthorn and for sharing more about Himari, too. It’s a lovely name with a rich history.
I got to disagree with your statement about Himari having a rich history. The oldest Himari I can find was born in the 1960s and it didn’t start rising in popularity until around 1999.
I love this list! I’m very partial to Linden as its my own sweet girl’s name, but I’m really liking the names on this list. Particularly Rowan and Linnea!
Amber!! I hope Lindy is well. You know I love her name. 🙂