Naming after... Flowers and Plants

After doing countries, colors and birds, its now time to go onto Names which are flowers and plants, and I bet this one will be super popular!

(For some of the more unusual ones, do a Google images search to see them)

Girls

Category one: Names which aren't actually flowers or plants, but have meanings which are plants.
Afina, meaning "blueberry" in Romanian.
Alma, meaning "apple" in Turkish
Anemone, meaning "wind flower" in Greek.
Anthea, meaning "flowery" in Greek.
Antonia, meaning "flower" in Greek.
Avalon, meaning "apple" in Old Welsh. (G.Paltrow soo should have named her daughter this instead.. way more subtle!)
Ayla, meaning "oak tree" in Hebrew and Old English.
Carmel, meaning "garden, orchard" in Hebrew.
Diantha, meaning "heavenly flower" in Greek.
Elma, meaning "apple" in Turkish.
Fabia, meaning "bean" in Roman.
Fleur, meaning "flower" in Old French.
Gita/ Greta/ Gretchen meaning "daisy" in Spanish.
Hana, meaning "flower" or "blossom" in Japanese.
Helianthe, meaning "bright flower" in Greek.
Hester, meaning "myrtle" in Hebrew.
Hortense, meaning "garden or gardener" in Latin.
Iolanthe, meaning "violet flower" in Greek.
Ketifa, meaning "to pick a flower" in Arabic.
Leilani, meaning "heavenly flower" in Hawaiian.
Lys, meaning "lily" in Medieval French.
Marva, meaning "sage" in Hebrew.
Mina, meaning "daisy" in Persian.
Phyllis, meaning "leafy branch" in Greek.
Susannah, meaning "lily" in Hebrew.
Talia, meaning "to bloom" in Greek.
Yolanda, meaning "violet" in Greek.
Zara, meaning "flower" in Arabic.
Zita, meaning "little rose" in Spanish.

Category two: Names which are already known to be used.
Angelica
Dahlia
Daisy
Erica
Heather
Holly
Iris
Ivy
Jacinta
Jasmine
Laurel
Lily
Rose
Rosemary
Rowan
Sage
Sienna
Veronica
Violet
Willow

Category three: Unusual but Usable. Names which are quite unique, but can be used in normal situations quite easily, or have nicknames which are 'normal'
Acacia, "Keisha"
Alcea, "Allie", "Alcie"
Anise, "Annie", "Anna", "Nissa"
Arnica, "Arna", "Arnie", "Anna, "Annie", "Nicky"
Alyssum, "Allie", "Alice", "Alyssa", "Lyssa", "Lyssie"
Amaranth, "Amy", "Mara", "Mary", "Antha", "Annie", "Anna"
Amaryllis, "Amy", "Mara", "Mary", "Rylla", "Lissa", "Lissie"
Azalea, "Az", "Azzie", "Zayley", "Ayla", "Ayley", "Lia"
Betony, "Betty", "Etta", "Ettie", "Tony"
Bryony, "Bree"
Calla, "Callie", "Allie" (what Actor Eric Johnson and writer/producer Adria Budd recently named their daughter, Calla Prairie)
Camellia, "Cara", "Carma", "Meeley", "Lia"
Cassia, "Cass", "Cassie", "Casey"
Cicely, "Cissy", "Celia", "Ellie", "Lee"
Coralbell, "Cora", "Coral", "Corey", "Belle", "Bella" (this ones a little over the top, too, but isn't as crazy as Bluebell. Coral is quite a pretty name)
Fern
Flora, "Flo", "Flossie", "Flor", "Lora", "Lori"
Gardenia, "Deana", "Nia"
Ginger, "Ginnie"
Hazel
Hyacinth, "Cinth", "Cinthie", "Cinthia"
Jacaranda, "Jackie", "Cara", "Anda", "Andy", "Anna", "Annie", "Anne"
Jessamine, "Jess", "Jessie", "Sam", "Sammy"
Juniper, "June", "Juno"
Lavender
Lilac, "Lila"
Linnea, "Lin", "Linna", "Nia", "Lynae"
Linden, "Lin", "Lindy", "Linna"
Lotus, "Lo", "Lola"
Magnolia, "Maggie", "Aggie", "Noel", "Olly", "Lia"
Mallow, "Mal", "Lo"
Marguerite, "Margie", "Mary", "Maggie", "Rita"
Marigold, "Mary", "Marie", "Goldie"
Myrtle
Narcissa, "Nara", "Cissy"
Nigella, "Nyah", "Gel", "Gella", "Ella", "Ellie", "Elle"
Oleander, "Ollie", "Lia", "Leanne", "Anda", "Andy", "Anna", "Annie", "Anne"
Olive, "Olly", "Liv", "Livvy"
Pansy
Petunia
Poppy
Primrose, "Rosa", "Rosie", "Rose"
Saffron, "Saffie", "Ronnie"
Solandra, "Solly", "Olly", "Landry", "Andra", "Andy", "Anna", "Annie", "Anne"
Tamarind, "Tammy", "Mary"
Tansy, "Tanner", "Anna", "Annie"
Valerian, "Val", "Vallie", "Ria", "Rianne", "Anne", "Anna", "Annie"
Viola, "Vi", "Ola", "Olly"
Zinnia, "Nia"

Category four: Totally out there. These ones are ones to use with a lot of caution, they don't quite fit in or have normal nicknames to fall back on.
Bluebell (now I know this one can be shortened to Belle or Bella... but really. Its just very out there for a real person.)
Cayenne (feminine spelling, but a bit too masculine pronunciation for me)
Cherry (maybe cute as a nickname, but a bit much for me)
Daffodil (this one can be shortened to Daffy but again, its a bit much for me)
Hebe
Jonquil
Pepper (probably a lot cuter as a nickname)
Peony
Posy
Silverbell (pretty for an animal, but probably a bit much for a child)
Sorrel
Sunflower (a little much..)

Boys

Category one: Names which aren't actually flowers or plants, but have meanings which are plants.
Ackley, meaning "meadow of Oak Trees" in Middle English.
Axel, meaning "small oak tree" in German.
Bailey, meaning "berry" in Old English.
Derry, meaning "oak tree" in Welsh.
Fabian, meaning "bean" in Latin.
Fraser, meaning "strawberry" in French.
Jared, Jarrett, meaning "rose" in Greek.
Oliver, meaning "olive tree" in French.
Orrin, meaning "tree" in Hebrew.
Perry, meaning "pear tree" in Old English.
Purnal, meaning "pear" in Latin.

Category two: Unusual but Usable. Names which are quite unique, but can be used in normal situations quite easily, or have nicknames which are 'normal'
Alder, "Al"
Ash
Basil
Briar
Cassius
Linden (both Cassius and Linden I have heard on boys before, but they are pretty hard with nicknames/are a little feminine)
Oleander, "Olly", "Lee", "Ander", "Andy"
Saffron, "Ron"
Sage
Thorn, "Thor"

Category three: Totally out there. These ones are ones to use with a lot of caution, they don't quite fit in or have normal nicknames to fall back on.
Cedar
Jonquil

Got some other flower or plant names? Any you really like or dislike? Do you know anyone named after a flower or plant? Comment below!

Any suggestions for Annie-Kate? Comments on or requests for the blog? Want some advice naming your child? Email me at anni.ekate@yahoo.com.au

Naming after... Birds

After past "Naming after..." series on colors and countries I thought it was time for my next post, and this is one which all nature and bird lovers alike will love. Naming after birds!

For girls

Category one: Names which aren't actually birds, but have meanings which are birds.
Ava, derived from the Latin word for bird.
Avis, meaning "bird" in Latin.
Elsa/Elsie, meaning "swan" in Anglo-Saxon.
Gozala, meaning "young bird" in Hebrew.
Jemima, meaning "dove" in Arabic and Hebrew.
Merle, meaning "blackbird" in Latin.
Tori, meaning "bird" in Japanese.

Category two: Names which are already known to be used.
Phoebe
Phoenix
Raven
Robin

Category three: Unusual but Usable. Names which are quite unique, but can be used in normal situations quite easily, or have nicknames which are 'normal'
Ani
Aracari, "Ara", "Sari", "Sara"
Avocet, "Ava", "Etta", "Ettie"
Coquette, "Coco", "Etta", "Ettie" (then again, this ones probably not so good, check the dictionary meaning before using.)
Eider
Elaenia, "Elle", "Ellie", "Ella", "Laney", "Lane", "Laina", "Nia"
Harrier, "Harry"
Linnet, "Lin", "Linna", "Netta", "Nettie", "Etta", "Ettie"
Mavis, "May", "Mave", "Ava", "Avis"
Mallard, "Mal", "Mallie"
Petrel, "Petra"
Pipit, "Pip", "Pippa"
Stora, "Tora", "Tori"
Tityra, "Tyra", "Ty"
Wren
Willet, "Will", "Willa", "Etta", "Ettie"

Category four: Totally out there. These ones are ones to use with a lot of caution, they don't quite fit in or have normal nicknames to fall back on.
Dove
Jacana (look this one up in the dictionary as well, its pronounced very unusually)
Lark
Starling (I find this one quite unusual, but its pretty similar to Sterling which is in the top 1000 for boys)
Teal

For boys

Category one: Names which aren't actually birds, but have meanings which are birds.
Arnold, meaning "eagle" in Germanic.
Callum, meaning "dove" in Latin.
Corbin, meaning "raven" in Old French and "crow" in Anglo-Norman.
Cormac, meaning "son of the raven" in Irish Gaelic.
Galvin, meaning "sparrow" in Gaelic.
Gavin, meaning "falcon of May" and "hawk of the plain" in Welsh.

Category two: Names which are already known to be used.
Brant


Category three: Unusual but Usable. Names which are quite unique, but can be used in normal situations quite easily, or have nicknames which are 'normal'
Condor, "Con", "Connie"
Cormorant, "Corey"
Jaegar, "Jay"
Kinglet, "King"
Mallard, "Mal"
Peregrine, "Perry"
Robin, "Rob", "Robbie"
Willet, "Will"

Category four: Totally out there. These ones are ones to use with a lot of caution, they don't quite fit in or have normal nicknames to fall back on.
Bluejay
Cardinal
Crane
Falcon
Trogon

Got some other bird names? Any you really like or dislike? Do you know anyone named after a bird? Comment below!

Any suggestions for Annie-Kate? Comments on or requests for the blog? Want some advice naming your child? Email me at anni.ekate@yahoo.com.au

Naming after... Colors

There's a post I did quite early on, about naming your child after countries.
I've decided to follow on, and do a "naming after..." series.

A lot of people think choosing a random thing to name your child after is wrong, stupid or tacky. Personally, I'm not saying its either right or wrong, but it's certainly very interesting. Any name can be okay, as long as your sensible in choosing in it.

This post is going to be about naming your child after colors, some color names, such as Scarlet(t), are becoming quite popular, so this may be a popular path in the future. I think that using a color as a middle name is pretty neat, especially if it has special meaning, for example, an elder siblings favorite color, or if a child has blonde hair, a name with a meaning of 'yellow' or 'golden' can be sweet.

So, I'll get on with it ;)
For boys..
Category one: Names which aren't actually colors, but have meanings which are colors.
Adrian, meaning "black" in Latin.
Alban, meaning "white" in Latin.
Aurelius, meaning "golden" in Latin.
Blaine, meaning "yellow" in Gaelic.
Blake, a combination of the Old English words for "black" and "white".
Denver, meaning "green" in French.
Flannon, meaning "blood red" in Irish.
Galvin, meaning "brilliant white" in Gaelic.
Graham, meaning "grey" in Old English.
Gray, meaning "grey" in Old English.
Ivor, meaning "Ivory" in Latin.
Irvin, meaning "green" in Welsh.
Kamal, meaning "pale red" in Sanskrit.
Kane, meaning "golden" in Japanese.
Lloyd, meaning "brown, grey" in Welsh.
Oran, meaning "grey-brown" in Irish.
Osbert, meaning "gold" in Old English.
Roy, meaning "red" in Gaelic.


Category two: Unusual but usable. Names which are fairly unique, but can be used in normal situations without too much trouble.
Ash
Cobalt, "Cobe", "Coby"
Denim, "Denny"
Flint, "Flin/Flynn"
Grey
Harvest, "Harvey"
Hunter
Ivory, "Ivor"
Jet
Loden
Russet, "Russ"
Rusty, "Russ"
Sandy
Slate
Tyrian
Vermilion (This ones pretty strange, but it reminds me of the 'normal' name Maximilian)

Category three: Totally out there. These one's are ones which should be treated with a fair bit of caution, they're pretty out there and have no "regular" nicknames for your child to fall back on.
Almond
Blue, or the French spelling Bleu.
Caesar, meaning "Blue-grey" in Latin.
Citron
Copper
Cyan
Forest Indigo
Navy
Onyx
Viridian

And now onto the Girls!
Category one: Names which aren't actually colors, but have meanings which are colors.
Ariana, meaning "silver" in Welsh.
Bianca, meaning "white" in Italian.
Chloe, derived from the word "green" in Greek.
Dee, meaning "black" in Welsh.
Flavia, meaning "yellow, golden" in Latin.
Gina, meaning "silvery" in Japanese.
Hina, meaning "red" or "black" in Hindu.
Ianthe, meaning "violet" in Greek. (i-ann-thee)
Lavern, meaning "the green one" in Old French.
Melanie, meaning "black" in Greek.
Midori, meaning "green" in Japanese.
Verdi, meaning "to be green" in Latin.

Category two: Color names which are commonly used on girls.
Amber
Ebony
Hazel
Jade
Kelly
Ruby
Rose
Scarlet
Sienna
Sky
Violet

Category three: Unusual but usable. Names which are fairly unique, but can be used in normal situations without too much trouble.
Auburn, "Aubrey"
Carmine, "Cara", "Carrie", "Carma"
Cerise, "Reese"
Cinder, "Cindy"
Claret, "Clare", "Clara", "Rhett" (if she's a tomboy)
Clove, "Chloe", "Lo", "Lola"
Clover, "Chloe, "Lo", "Lola"
Coral, "Corrie", "Corey", "Cora"
Denim, "Deni"
Emerald, "Em", "Emmy", "Emma"
Garnet
Goldie/ Golda/ Goldina
Henna
Indigo, "Indie"
Ivory, "Iva", "Ivy"
Lavender
Lilac, "Lila/Lyla", "Isla"
Magenta, "Madge", "Maggie", "Gen/Jen", "Jenny" (this isn't the right color, but theres not one closer, its a bright pinkish color)
Maize, "May", "Maizy"
Olive, "Ollie", "Liv", "Livvy"
Pearl
Poppy
Rosy (Rosie)
Saffron
Sandy
Silver, "Silvie", "Silvia"

Category four: Totally out there. These one's are ones which should be treated with a fair bit of caution, they're pretty out there and have no "regular" nicknames for your child to fall back on.
Aqua
Azure
Bleu, the French spelling for Blue.
Caramel, "Carrie", "Cara", "Carra", "Mel", "Mellie" (this one has normal nicknames, but... just seems very strange as a name)
Carnelian, "Carrie" (This one too can be shortened, but I just find it a little too much)
Honey
Maroon
Mauve
Navy
Onyx
Opal
Peach
Sorrel
Teal
Viridian

Got some other color names? Any you really like or dislike? Do you know anyone named after a color? Comment below!

Any suggestions for Annie-Kate? Comments on or requests for the blog? Want some advice naming your child? Email me at anni.ekate@yahoo.com.au

Naming after countries.

After an interesting naming of her son by Jaci Velisquez

http://babynamerant.blogspot.com/2007/11/thumbs-down-jaci-velasquez.html

It may be interesting to look at the common trend of naming your child after a country or place.

Names of big or well known countries can be plain weird.

Names such as:
Asia
http://www.presstelegram.com/portlet/article/html/imageDisplay.jsp?contentItemRelationshipId=1464890

Ireland
http://www.usatoday.com/life/people/2007-04-19-baldwin-voicemail_N.htm

Kenya
http://movies.yahoo.com/movie/1808404374/photo/premiere/576883

Can be a bit strange because of the connotations with them. Furthermore, Asia has some of the worst human rights abuses, while Kenya is a third world country where people are starving to death. Why would you want your childs name associated with those things? Its also pretty funny to see a privileged white girl named after a country with black starving people. Kind of a bit ignorant, really.

Things like the location of the place also need to be taken into place. A name such as Maysan might sound really sweet for your little girl, but when its a place in Iraq then thats a bit of a problem.

Some names are worse than others. Think about whether the name you are choosing could have a cute nickname your child could opt for if they don't particularly like being named after a country.
Names such as Alaska, Kileen or Madrid sound a little bad, but could at least by shortened to Allie, Lena or Maddie when the child grows up. Names such as Naivasha or Zamora don't give a lot of leeway for your child to derive a more "normal" nickname if they so choose.

Steer away from names with "Land" in it, it kind of makes it obvious your naming the child after a place which makes it tacky. Watch out for names which are increasingly becoming common, and maybe choose a place with significant meaning such as a place where your ancestors came from.

Lastly, never EVER mis-spell it. That takes away the whole point of naming them after a place.
Case in point:
Chyna for China
http://www.celebritybabies.info/index.php/category/faith-evans/

Dakotah for Dakota
http://gracerbc.sermonaudio.com/gallery_details.asp?image=dt-122705185146-6.jpg

Jeneva for Geneva
http://www.vivmag.com/moments/4835371.html?page=1&pageSize=12

For a list of some NICE country names you could try (and makes sure you do your research on the place and make sure you like it!) :
Girls..
Acadia, an old territory in North America.
Adalia, a Turkish city.
Adana, a place in Turkey.
Adelaide, a city in Australia.
Ailsa, a island off Scotland.
Amara, a town in Romania.
Aspen, a mountain in Colorado.
Aurora, a historical district in Italy.
Avalon, a mythical place in the tales of King Arthur.
Avila, a city in Spain.
Berwyn, a place in Wales.
Bethany, a village near Jerusalem.
Berlin, the capital of Germany.
Brenta, a place in Italy.
Brienne, a medieval county in France.
Brittany, a former province of France.
Brooklyn, a place in America.
Cambria, the latinised form of the Welsh name for Wales.
Caria, a parish in Portugal.
Caledonia, the Latin name given by the Roman Empire to the island of Great Britain.
Catania, a place in Italy.
Cheyenne, a Native America nation.
Dakota, a place in America.
Dallas, a place in America.
Denali, a mountain in Alaska.
Devon, a county in South West England.
Ellora, a site in India.
Geneva, a city in Switzerland.
Georgia, a country, and a state in America.
Germaine, meaning "German" in Old French.
Ilia, a province in Greece.
Indiana, a place in America.
Iona, a small island in Scotland.
Italia, meaning Italy.
Kara, a city in Togo.
Karelia, an area in Northern Europe.
Katmai, a mountain in Alaska.
Kayseri, a city in Turkey.
Kenner, a city in America.
Kileen, an Irish place.
Kirin, an older spelling of a city in China.
Lanai, a Hawaiian Island.
Leith, a district in Edinburgh.
Lena, a place in Norway.
Madrid, the capital of Spain.
Maine, a state in America
Martinique, an island in the Caribbean Sea.
Mayenne, a place is France.
Melrose, a town in Scotland.
Mercia, one of the kingdoms in Anglo-Saxon Heptarchy.
Miami, a place in America.
Milan, a city in Italy.
Montana, a place in America.
Moriah, a mountain range in the book of Genesis.
Nivelles, a city in Belgium.
Sicely, a place in Italy.
Sierra, a place in Peru.
Soria, a city in Spain.
Sydney, a city in Australia
Thessaly, a place in Greece.
Vienna, the capital of Austria.
Vienne, a place in France.
Winona, a place in America.

Boys..
Aldan, a place in Russia.
Altan, a place in Ireland.
Alton, a place in New Zealand.
Austin, a place in America.
Aydin, a place in Turkey.
Brenner, a place in Italy.
Camden, a place in England.
Carlisle, a city in England. (car-lyle)
Cairo, a city in Egypt.
Calgary, a city in Canada.
Cambrai, a French town.
Carrick, a place in Scotland.
Finley, a place in America.
Hudson, a place in Canada.
Ilion, a place in Greece.
Kenner, a city in America.
Kodiak, a city in Alaska.
Leith, a district in Edinburgh.
Leyton, an area in East London.
Sydney, a city in Australia.
Tasman, a place in New Zealand.
Trenton, a place in Canada.
Troy, a legendary city.

Got any suggestions for Annie-Kate? Comments on or requests for the blog? Want some advice naming your child? Email me at anni.ekate@yahoo.com.au