Oriantha

This gem is partly inspired by a kick-ass Australian guitarist, and partly by my husband. In that he saw a television interview with Richie Sambora about a new project with his girlfriend Orianthi, and thought I'd really like her name but either mis-heard it or wrote it down wrong as Oriantha. To be honest, I love it whether it's Orianthi, Oriantha or even Orianthe. But since he wrote down Oriantha, let's go with that.

Orianthi is actually the only version that has charted in the U.S to date, debuting in 2015 in position 14,408 after being given to just 7 girls. I'm guessing these were probably inspired by the guitarist. Australian born Orianthi has played with the likes of Michael Jackson and Alice Cooper, so already had quite the name for herself in the music world before starting their current project - named RSO - with Sambora in 2013.

Being the rarity that it is, it's actually quite hard to find reliable information on the origin of the name Oriantha. Orianthi (the guitarist) is of Greek descent, so that gives us a decent clue as to where to start. The Greek "Anthos" means flower, and is the basis of many "flowery" names such as Anthea (meaning 'like a flower'); Calantha (meaning 'lovely flower'); or Evanthe (meaning 'fair flower'). The Ori part is a little less clear. One source claims it comes from the Greek "Oraios" meaning 'beautiful', and hence Oriantha likely means 'beautiful flower'. Or there is the Latin name Oriana, which means 'dawn', or the Greek name Oria which means 'from the mountains'. So you could conjecture that Oriantha possibly means 'flower of dawn' or perhaps 'mountain flower'. Which makes me think that Oriantha is not a name for those who like a concrete, definitive meaning, but is perfect for those that like to take a bit of poetic license with their name meanings, or simply don't mind what the meaning of a name is at all as long as it sounds appealing.

For Oriantha certainly has an appealing ring to it. It has a nice melodic flow, but enough of an exotic edge to stop it from blending into the background. And the O sound is oh-so-hot right now, whether it be at the start of your name (think Olivia); in the middle (like Cora); or the end (as with Willow). Oriantha is a great option if you are after something rare, pretty and cool-but-not-too-trendy.

Blush

Photo courtesy of Sandra Bianco Photography

West Indies cricketer Chris Gayle was in the headlines this week for announcing that he had named his new baby daughter Blush.

The reason this has caused such a stir is two fold. Firstly, there is the name itself. As with almost any time someone in the public eye dares to use a name not deemed "normal" there are plenty of people declaring it to be wrong. They say things like "that's not a name!", "surely that's not right!" and the inevitable "is this a joke?".

Except in this case the context of this particular person naming his baby Blush gives people extra cause to wonder if it is a joke. Which brings us to the second reason it has caused such a stir. In January this year Gayle caused controversy for his sexism towards a female sports reporter. He had been flirting with her in a post game interview and made the comment "don't blush, baby" as she tried to ignore his unwanted flirtations. He tried to brush it off as being a joke, but was fined for his unprofessional conduct.

Reportedly this name is also a joke though, and his child is instead a boy (not named Blush). Which would mean that while Gayle may think that his tweets of "We would like to welcome the arrival of our beautiful daughter 'Blush'" and "Thank you all for the sweet and kind messages. Blush won't Blush, my baby" are funny, he has sadly learned very little from the whole incident. Which makes sense as "don't blush, baby" has basically become his signature catchphrase.

The overpoweringly negative reaction to the name Blush is interesting though. Let's take a step back for a minute. If someone had actually named their daughter Blush, and didn't have the background with the word that Gayle does, is it really that bad as a name?

I saw a discussion about the story on morning TV where one person used the extreme insult of "It's akin to child abuse" (I hate it when people use that phrase as an argument against a particular name. Seriously, a ridiculous - in your opinion - name does not automatically equal abuse. Such statements just trivialise the very serious subject of child abuse. But that's a discussion for another place and time).

The more considered argument I heard against naming your baby Blush was that as it's a word commonly associated with shy, young, awkward girls it would be belittling to give a female this name. Furthermore, it would be hard for an adult woman to be taken seriously with a name for an involuntary physical reaction, especially within a professional environment.

Which I understand and agree with. And is why I feel kinda bad for saying that I think Blush would actually be quite pretty as a name. It has a sweetly romantic feel, and makes me think of other soft pink flowery names like Bloom, Blossom or Posey. I could totally see it as a possible name should Jules and Jamie Oliver's next child be a girl.

But I think this is one that is best left for a surprising and demure middle name. And listening to the general reaction when Gayle announced the name (be it the real name or not), it's safe to say that most people would also prefer not to see Blush as a first name.

Australian Christmas Names

Photo Courtesy of Mom Spotted

This time of year inspires many great lists of names inspired by Christmas and the festive season. And while the way Christmas is celebrated has many similarities across different (particularly Christian) countries, there are some very big differences between Australia and many other countries. By which I mean it is Summer here at Christmastime.  So while we also celebrate with carols, bells, light and Christmas Trees, names like Winter and Snow have no relevance to an Australian Christmas. We're not sitting by the fireplace drinking hot cocoa - we're more likely to be in the backyard cooking a barbeque.

With this in mind, I thought I'd compile a list of Christmas related names specifically for Australians. Let me know if there are any you'd add!

Barbie
As mentioned above, most Australians use their barbeque a lot in summer - I know people who would happily cook all three meals of the day on it. But we rarely call it a barbecue. We like to call it a barby or barbie. It may feel a little dated or too plastic doll for you, but Barbie would be a great homage to Australian summers.

Beach
It's not unusual for Christmas day to be hot - really hot. So if you live by the coast, many people escape to the beach for a swim on Christmas day. It feels cruisy and relaxed - a possible sibling to Bodhi.

Cherry
It's hard to imagine an Aussie Christmas table without cherries. They're in season, fresh and delicious. Not to mention that their bright red colour looks great on the table. If Cherry feels a little 80's (or let's face it, a little too stripper) for you, how about one of her international versions?  Cereza or Cerise are both gorgeous options.

Chrissie
I'm not sure about other countries, but Australians love their slang. Similar to Barbie, Chrissie is a common term for Christmas here in Australia, with common uses being "Chrissie Day", "Chrissie lunch", or the question "what are you doing for Chrissie?" She's a little more youthful than Christie, but still sweet and perky.

Beach Cricket

Cricket
Cricket may be all insect to Americans, but to Australians (and many other countries) it's the ultimate Summer sport. After Christmas lunch, families all over Australia will get together for a friendly game of cricket, whether it's in the backyard or on the beach. And of course being summer, there are plenty of the insect variety available too. It's a name that will bring to mind long summer nights and fun with the family.


Jacaranda
When Australian singer Christine Anu recently released her Christmas Album, she said:

"I can't erase my childhood (memories) of Christmas being in the summer, 

where it's pretty much a sensory overload of beautiful colour - everywhere. 

It's snowing jacarandas in my street. 

There's mangoes and watermelon, blueberries. All that colour."

Jacaranda flowers are blue to purple, and in rare cases white. it makes a for a lovely floral name - unusual yet not jarring when considered next to names such as Miranda or Jacinda.

Lobethal
If you've lived in or near Adelaide in South Australia, chances are you've made at least one Christmas pilgrimage to the town of Lobethal. Nestled in the Adelaide Hills, Lobethal (German for 'valley of praise') comes alive at Christmas time, and the line of cars starts for kilometers outside the town in the evenings leading to Christmas Day. The main attractions are the light displays, but there's also pageants, Christmas Tree competitions and a living Nativity.

Marina
We love Christmas Carols, and Carols by Candlelight is a popular event. Many councils and local areas have their own, but the two main televised events are the Sydney Carols in the Domain and the Melbourne Vision Australia Carols by Candlelight. One of my favourite performers has to be Marina Prior. A famous theatre performer in Australia, she's performed at the Carols for over 20 years and is a beautiful and classy person - a great Christmas inspiration.

Jen Hawkins and the 2014 Myer
Christmas Window Display

Myer
Myer may be a department store here in Australia, but the name is very closely linked to Christmas. From gift shopping, to Christmas Eve carols at the Myer Music Bowl, to the must see Myer Christmas window displays in Bourke Street Mall in Melbourne, the name Myer is associated with many happy Christmas memories. Particularly for Melburnians.

Ocean
Our Christmas dinners are just as likely (and possibly more so) to include fresh seafood as it does the traditional roast. The craziness at the fish markets on the days leading up to Christmas are a testament to that. Prawns and Crayfish are the main favourites, but who wants to name their children Prawn or Crayfish. So how about Ocean? It's fresh, calming and a great summer holiday name.

Summer
The inclusion of Summer is a no-brainer. She may not be as fresh as Winter, but Summer has become a modern classic. Just the word is infused with warmth, bringing to mind relaxed, fun days. As a name Summer is somewhat preppy, somewhat hippy - a great easy-to-wear crowd pleaser of a name.

Sunny
Because Summer is all about the sun. Half the country even has daylight savings so we can make the most of the summer sun in the evenings too! For example, here in Melbourne today first light was at 5.24am and last light will be at 9.14pm. The name Sunny captures the enthusiasm and cheer we feel at this time of the year - it's full of optimism and positivity.

Merry Christmas everyone!!

Lisiantha

Photo Courtesy of Lindsay Wright Photography

Here's another pretty name from the floral world that is rare as hen's teeth. So rare she's never been given to more than 5 girls in any one year in the U.S, and is pretty much unheard of. Yet if blooms with exotic sounding names such as Wisteria, Amaryllis and Amarantha are seen as attractive possibilities, why not Lisiantha?

Lisiantha (pronounced LIZ-ee-an-thah or LISS-ee-an-thah) is a variant spelling of lisianthus. I have to admit to being a bit biased when it comes to this flower - I had lisianthus in my bridal bouquet when I got married, so it has a very sentimental place in my heart. I used two different shades of purple blooms (mixed with ivory roses), but the lisianthus also comes in pink, white and blue. It's also known by its' genus name Eustoma (meaning 'beautiful mouth'), Texas Bluebell, Prairie Gentian or Tulip Gentian.

The word Lisianthus comes from the Greek words lysis, meaning 'dissolution', and anthos, meaning 'flower'. Which seems somewhat ambiguous as a meaning, although popular thought is that this translates as symbolic of an outgoing and divisive nature. Other opinions are that the lisianthus symbolises appreciation; or deeply felt romantic attachment; or even old fashioned values and sentimentality because it often grows wild as a prairie flower.

So why has this pretty bloom been largely overlooked as a name option? It's possibly because the flower itself has not enjoyed the widespread popularity that many other flowers such as the rose has had. Word among growers and florists though is that demand for this flower has been increasing over the past decade, so looks like it may be just a matter of time before lovers of this flower start putting this flower name on birth certificates.

While technically the flower name is Lisianthus, I have a feeling that variants Lisiantha/Lysiantha and Lisianthe/Lysianthe (pronounced LIZ-ee-an-thee) will be the ones to watch. Names ending in "us" tend to be mostly masculine, whereas "a" endings are popularly feminine. They feel like a fresher update of Lisandra, while or the "the" ending makes it feel like an elaboration of names like Ianthe or Xanthe. Both could make great nickname options, with other possibilities being Anthe, Antha, Liss, Lissa, Liz, Lizzie, Ann or the less obvious Sia.

Sia is actually the nickname used by the character Lisianthus in the Japanese series 'Shuffle!' 'Shuffle!' started as a visual novel, and has been adapted into video games, manga and anime. It's a great source for floral naming inspiration, as "all of the characters' names are references to flowers in some way".

Lisiantha would be a charming, different but not weird floral option for a girl today. It feels pretty and feminine; soft and lacy; with just enough spunk to be interesting and refreshing. It's the kind of name that would receive plenty of compliments, and leave people wondering why they haven't heard this name used more often. What do you think - is Lisiantha bursting with unfulfilled potential, or has she remained overlooked and largely ignored for a reason?

My beautiful wedding bouquets with purple lisianthus
Made with love by my mum ☺

Ten Buddhism Inspired Names - from Anicca to Zen

Photo courtesy of Beloved Photography

In recent months I have covered a couple of names with connections to Buddhism. The first - Avici (adapted to Avicii) - was adopted as a stage name for a young Swedish DJ whose star is currently on the rise. The second was Bodhi, a rising, relatively well-known option that was recently bestowed on two celebrity babies.

This got me thinking about names with Buddhist connections. In times when some are attracted to bold, energetic names like Dash and Blaze; or weaponry associated names like Colt and Cannon, it makes sense that others would be drawn to names with peaceful, spiritual meanings and connections.

Such names can create a great first impression. If balanced against feeling a little too “new agey” or “hippie” (sorry Dharma and Karma), they can set other people at ease, making their wearer seem friendly, relaxed and approachable. Less overt than traditional virtue names, they still hint at an attitude that the wearer can aspire to.

I need to preface this list by saying that I am not (and have never been) a Buddhist, so my knowledge of Buddhist terms that would make for great names is by no means exhaustive. However, I've chosen ten in particular that feel very usable - other than Bodhi and Avici. I'd love to hear further suggestions in the comments below.

Anicca

Anicca is a term meaning 'inconstancy' or 'impermanence', referring to the Buddhist teaching that all things are in a constant state of change – an inevitable cycle of birth, growth, decay and death. Pronounced uh-NIK-uh, visually and verbally Anicca doesn't seem very far removed from names such as Anita or Annika, which makes it feel quite usable, particularly for a girl.

Arya

Most people would recognise Arya as the name of the young rebellious tomboy daughter of the Stark family in 'Game of Thrones'. The show has certainly boosted its popularity as a girls name. But Arya actually has a history as a name used by both genders, and skewed male in the U.S until 2010. Arya (or Ariya) means 'noble' or 'exalted' in Sanskrit, and is frequently used in Buddhism to describe some of the main tenets – mainly the Four Noble Truths (catvary arya satyani) or The Noble Eightfold Path (arya marga).

Kathina

Kathina is a Buddhist festival that is held at the end of Vassa, the three month rainy season retreat for Theraveda Buddhists. It is a time of giving, for people to express their thanks to monks by bringing donations – particularly new robes - to the temples. It is rarely used as a name, but is seen as a girls name. It feels like an exotic blend of Katrina and Katherine and would make for a spiritual, celebratory name.

Lotus

The lotus is an important Buddhist icon, as Buddha is typically depicted sitting on a lotus. It is symbolic of the path from ignorance to enlightenment, as it rises from the mud of materialism, through the waters of experience, and into the sunshine of enlightenment. Pronounced LOH-tuhs, as a flower name it is definitely one of the more exotic and rarer choices. It is also a luxury sports car brand, which seems quite at odds with it's Buddhist symbolism. But that does little to detract from the elegant beauty of this name.

Mahayana

Lyrical sounding, it's pronounced mah-huh-YAH-nuh and is one of the main branches of Buddhism. It comes from the Sanskrit words maha meaning 'great' and yana meaning 'vehicle'. Mahayana is a more liberal type of Buddhism, and the most popular. Followers believe that anyone - not just monks and nuns - can attain enlightenment. It has never charted in the U.S as a name, but Mahayana would be a very pretty choice for a girl.

Nirvana

Nirvana literally means 'blown out', as in a candle, which when applied to a Buddhist context refers to “the imperturbable stillness of mind after the fires of desire, aversion and delusion have been finally extinguished”. Buddhists aim to reach this state of mind or consciousness to be free of individual desires or suffering. The name was chosen by Kurt Cobain for his rock/grunge band, who said that he wanted a beautiful, nice and pretty name. It seems namers agree with this impression, as Nirvana has only ever been bestowed on girls in the U.S. If Haven, Elysia or Nevaeh are on your list, this is another worthy option to consider.

Om

Perhaps due to it's short length, Om has to date been used as a boys name in the U.S. Om is sometimes referred to as the sacred syllable, used as a mantra when meditating. It means 'creation' in Sanskrit, and as a representation of the three most important deities in Hindu religions – Vishnu, Shiva and Brahma – it ultimately refers to the essence of life. It may be short, but it is loaded with meaning and has a relaxing sound.

Samsara

You may recognise Samsara as the title of a visually poetic 2011 Documentary. It means 'continuous movement' or 'cyclic existence', often translated as 'the circle of life'. By following the Buddhist path, one can liberate themselves from the endless cycling through the six realms, but one must first understand the nature of Samsara in order to be liberated from it. Samsara has a lovely, liquid velvet feel to it, pronounced suhm-SAHR-uh. It's rare use has so far been for girls, which may have been influenced by the fact that it is also the name of a perfume by Guerlain. Familiar nicknames Sam or Sara and it's similarity to Samara makes it easier to wear.

Veda

The Vedas are the most ancient and important of Hindu sacred literature, believed to be an eternal revelation of divine origin. Veda (pronounced VEY-duh or VEE-duh) means 'knowledge' or 'wisdom' – Theravada is the oldest surviving branch of Buddhism, meaning 'the Teaching of the Elders'. Veda has a long history of use as a girls name in the U.S, particularly popular at the beginning of the 20^th century accompanied by Vida and Vera. It has a vintage feel and spiritual quality.

Zen

Zen is synonymous with calmness and tranquillity. Many people most immediately associate it with Buddhism. Meaning 'absorption' or 'meditative state', Zen is a school of Mahayana Buddhism that advocates the use of sitting meditation for realising Buddhist truths such as no-self, emptiness, and the uncreated mind. Zen has been getting some small use in the U.S in recent decades and is so far proving to be more popular for boys than girls. This name has a fantastic energy – it feels unexpected, yet cool and stylish.

One Syllable Nature Word Names - Colt, Sage & Onyx

There's something undeniably attractive about one syllable names. They're a good option if you want an (almost) nickname proof first name, or want to balance out a long and complicated last name. They can also work some magic in the middle position when you want to create a particular flow between multi-syllable first and last names.

Nature word names are among the most popular single syllable names, especially in the middle. Lee and Rose are two in particular that are perennial middle name favourites. Disney Baby also pegged nature names - and word names - as trends for middle names in 2013.

Choices range from the tried and true to the quirky and rare - and there is definitely a very wide range of them to choose from. My below list is restricted just to nature words, and still comes in at an impressive 160 names long! There are sure to be other great choices that could be added, and if you widen the scope even further to include names with nature related meaning, this list doubles.

One thing is for sure though - even with just one syllable, nature names do not have to be boring!

Zaria

Photo Courtesy of Unposed Kids Photography

Today's nature name Zaria was plucked from Waltzing More Than Matilda's debut book 'International Baby Names for Australian Parents', which is full of good ideas even if you're not in Australia.

Zaria has a few possible pronunciations, which include ZAHR-ee-ah (my favourite), ZAHR-yah; or zah-RY-uh. And just as she has multiple pronunciations, she also has multiple origins in Russian/Slavic, Arabic, Swahili and Hebrew.

In Russian Zaria (or Zarya) means 'dawn' or 'sunrise'. It may also have links to the Zorya, who in Slavic mythology are two (or three) guardian goddesses known as the Auroras. They represent the Morning Star and the Evening Star, the third one being the Midnight Star, who is sometimes omitted. They watch over the doomsday hound who would bring on the end of the world if his chain were to break.

This is not the only link Zaria has to Slavic mythology, either. Zaria (separate to the Zorya) is the goddess of beauty, who was known as "the heavenly bride" and associated with the morning. According to Wikipedia, people prayed to her at dawn and thought her to be "the brightest maiden, pure, sublime, honourable". She was also known as a water priestess who protected warriors and was invoked to protect against death in battle.

Another popular belief is that Zaria comes from the Arabic name Zahrah, meaning 'blooming flower'. Similarly, the Swahili name Zahra also means 'flower', giving this name a lovely floral connection that is far less literal than options like Flora or Fleur or the wide range of floral word names like Rose and Lily.

It's also possible that Zaria is a variant of Sarah, a Hebrew name meaning 'princess'; or perhaps Zara, meaning 'radiance'. Which brings us full circle back to the Russian association with sunrise.

Zaria fits in well with todays' namescape - a little less popular than Zara (who feels quite popular in Australia) but without the "dingoes took my baby" association we Australians have with the name Azaria. In the U.S she was positioned at #857 on the charts in 2012, putting her in company with names such as Lara, Sky, Alyvia and Elliot; all of which seem comparatively much more recognised and/or "trendy" at the moment. So she's popular enough to be liked by many, but not so commonly discussed that she feels like she's much more commonly used than she actually is. Anecdotally, much of it's American popularity seems to be amongst African Americans, as a nod to their African heritage via the Nigerian city of Zaria.

I'm sure I'm not alone in thinking that Zaria has a beautiful, lovely exotic sound and feel. I love the rich history and varied associations - it even has dual nature meanings! Zaria seems to me to be an understated name that nevertheless makes a statement, and a stylish one at that.

Orchid

Last year it was Emerald, but this year Pantone have declared Radiant Orchid to be the colour of 2014. Pantone describe this colour as being "captivating, magical and enigmatic", which I think would also be a good description for the name Orchid.

It's definitely one of the more exotic blooms, which has perhaps made it feel a little too distinctive and elaborate to use as a name. Particularly when it tends to be the more common, cheerful blooms such as Rose, Lily or Daisy that people think of for flower inspired names. Orchid saw some rare use in the U.S in the 20's, 30's and 40's. However since 1997 it has started appearing regularly on the SSA charts, just in very small numbers. This may have been influenced by American group 'Wild Orchid', which featured Stacy "Fergie" Ferguson before she became a member of 'The Black Eyed Peas'. They released their debut single in 1996 and first album in 1997.

The orchid family is one of the two largest families of flowering plants, and includes vanilla. They can be found pretty much everywhere except glaciers. The name comes from the Greek word Orchis, which has neither a flattering meaning or tale behind it. The Greek myth of Orchis tells us that he was the son of a nymph and a satyr who came upon a festival of Dionysus (also known as Bacchus) in the forest. He drank too much and tried to rape a priestess, so was torn apart as punishment. His father prayed for him to be restored but the gods instead changed him into a flower. The word Orchis literally means 'testicles' so named for the shape of their root.

If you can overlook this, take comfort in the fact that orchids are some of the most beautiful, intricate blooms to be found. Cattleya is a particularly pretty South American variety, thought to be the inspiration behind the name Cataleya made popular by Zoe Saldana in the movie 'Colombiana'. Local varieties are the national symbols of Venezuala, Colombia and Singapore; and the Chinese city of Shaoxing. In ancient Greece orchids were associated with fertility and virility, but after the rise of their popularity in Victorian England they became symbolic of luxury and rare and delicate beauty. Purple orchids, such as the ones that inspired the Pantone colour Radiant Orchid, are thought to be the true queen of flowers, symbolising royalty, admiration and respect.

Of their choice of Radiant Orchid, Pantone have said that:

"Radiant Orchid reaches across the color wheel to intrigue the eye and spark the imagination"

"An invitation to innovation, Radiant Orchid encourages expanded creativity and originality, which is increasingly valued in today's society"

"Radiant Orchid inspires confidence and emanates great joy, love and health. It is a captivating purple, one that draws you in with its beguiling charm".

Exotic, rare, beautiful, intriguing, captivating, joyful, beguiling and charming. All could be used to describe the name Orchid. A girl with this name would be just as special as this name suggests.

Liliandil

Liliandil, played by Aussie actress Laura Brent

In 'The Chronicles of Narnia' series, there appears a character in the books with no name. She is known simply as Ramandu's daughter - Ramandu being a star - and although her role is small, it is also quite important. In 'The Voyage of the Dawn Treader' she is the guardian of her father's island, the one with Aslan's table upon which the seven swords must be lain as part of Caspians' quest. She provides the necessary information to enable Caspian to complete his task. We then later learn in 'The Silver Chair' that Caspian married Ramandu's daughter and she bore him the son Rillian. Yet C.S Lewis left her nameless.

That changed in 2010 when the movie 'The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader' was released. For this movie she was given a name by Douglas Gresham, executive producer on the movie and stepson of C.S Lewis. And that name was Liliandil.

Pronounced as lil-ee-AHN-dell in the movie, it's hard to find evidence of the precise thought process behind the creation of this name. For all we know C.S Lewis himself made it up when he was telling a young Douglas bedtime stories. But overall the response to the choice has been fairly positive from fans, who find it to be well suited to the character. Here are a few theories as to why this name works so well for Ramandu's daughter:

• It's mysterious and feminine sounding;
• and also evocatively ethereal (she is a half star, after all);
• the name is reminiscent of the imagery of the sea of lilies that must be sailed though to reach Aslan's land in 'The Voyage of the Dawn Treader'; and
• it has similar sounds to Rilian, her son's name.

As far as "invented" names go, this is quite a pretty one. It's also not unimaginable to see this (or alternative spelling Lilliandil) on a little girl, mainly because it just feels like an elaboration of Lily or Lilian. Both of which could be used as nicknames, or even Dell or Della for that matter. It has a soft, romantic feeling to it, and it would be a nice way to have a Narnian connection without using one of the more well recognised names.

What do you think - is Liliandil a hit or a miss?

Not Quite Animal Names

A couple of months ago there was a birth announcement at Waltzing More Than Matilda that caught my eye. You may have noticed it too - it was for new baby girl Tigerlily, a sister for Wolfgang. Judging by the comments I wasn't the only one impressed by this sibset. I love that they are both slightly offbeat, quirky names with definite animal references without actually being animal names.

Wolfgang is an Old German name meaning 'traveling wolf'. It's most popular in German speaking countries, but is familiar throughout the world thanks to famous Wolfgangs Austrian composer Mozart, German poet Goethe, and more recently chef Puck. Cool nickname Wolf also makes this a very accessible name for todays parents. It has seen regular use in the U.S. since the 50's but has never gotten close to cracking the top 1000.

Whereas Wolfgang may have a slightly old and fusty image, Tigerlily is fresh and playful. For many, Tiger Lily is the name of the princess of a tribe of Native Indians living in Neverland in the classic 'Peter Pan'. Then in 1996 Paula Yates and Michael Hutchence made headlines when they named their new daughter Heavenly Hiraani Tiger Lily Hutchence (half sister to Paulas other daughters Fifi Trixiebelle, Peaches Honeyblossom and Little Pixie). She goes mainly by Tiger or Tiger Lily.

Although the name was the subject of much debate, it made people start to think of it less as an outlandish Princess name and more as an actual possibility for a child. Tigerlily appeared on the U.S. charts in 1998, and has continued to be rarely used. It's a floral-esque choice, and like Wolfgang it comes with cool animal nickname Tiger, but the possibility of Lily is also there if your daughter should be more of the quiet type.

But I have to admit, what caught my imagination most about this pairing where would the parents go with subsequent children? So here's a few suggestions that could hold their own with the distinctive Wolfgang and Tigerlily. If you have any more to add to this list, I'd love to hear your suggestions in the comments below.

Bearnard
This variant of the Old French / German name Bernard gets the bear reference in there but is still a legitimate name with history, similar to Wolfgang. The name means 'strong, brave bear', which I love and is hard to go past if you're looking for names related to fierce animals. Bearnard has never charted in the U.S. but Bernard was a top 100 for many years and only dropped out of the top 1000 in recent years. It feels like it could fit right in with the hipster crowd these days.

Foxglove
I loved these flowers growing up! Foxglove would make a whimsical floral choice. Usually use of the name Fox seems to be reserved for boys - it has certainly only ever charted for boys. Foxglove could be a great way to get a fox name onto girls. It's also a very off the beaten track choice for those wanting a rarer floral name.

Oxford
A stately, scholarly surname name, Oxford means "from the oxen crossing'. Nickname Ox might be one of the more difficult animal names to wear, but there is always Ford if they don't feel very Ox-like. Oxford is very well known largely thanks to the famed University and the Dictionary, yet it seems this has led people to avoid it as a given name. It would fit right in with the current wave of preppy surname names though.

Pendragon
Like Tigerlily, Pendragon is best recognised from a work of fiction, as Arthurs surname in the legends of the Knights of the Round Table, reportedly meaning 'head dragon' or 'dragon's head'. It is yet to chart in the U.S. although I have seen it suggested as a possible name by Abby of Appellation Mountain and discussed in a couple of forums on Nameberry recently, so it may soon start appearing on people's radars in the next few years. I love that this has a romantic yet strong feeling, and nickname Penn makes this name feel a little more wearable.

Snapdragon
When looking for animal related names that can easily be worn by the girls, it's hard to go past the florals. Again, Snapdragon would be a rare floral choice for a girl - it has never charted, and I don't think I've ever heard of one let alone met one. What I love about Snapdragon is the contrast of the sound of the name against it's image. The flowers are sweet, cheerful and delicate, yet the name suggests almost the opposite. This would be a cute yet fierce name for a girl.

Starbuck
Yes, I realise that thanks to the coffee chain this name is pretty much unusable. Unless you are a big 'Battlestar Galactica' fan. Suddenly this name is a lot more tempting - in fact, it has only charted in 1979, after the original series started airing in 1978. In those days Starbuck was a male, but in the 2004 reincarnation of the show Starbuck was famously portrayed by Katee Sackhoff, so this name feels suitable for either gender. There are also several other famous fictional Starbucks, such as the first mate of the Pequod in 'Moby Dick' (who the coffee chain was named after), the main character in Bernard Cromwell's 'The Starbuck Chronicles' series and Dana Scully of 'The X-Files' -  Starbuck was the nickname her father had for her. With a rich history of fictional namesakes Starbuck doesn't neccessarily feel like a totally off-the-wall or off-limits name option.

Alyssum

This is one of those sneaky names that has recently popped up in a couple of places. First, I saw it as a minor, blink-and-you'll-miss-them character in the book I'm currently reading, and then I saw it mentioned on a forum. I generally take it as sign that a name is worth a second look when I see such a rare name this way.

The green thumbs out there will be able to tell you right away that Alyssum (pronounced a-LISS-um) is a floral, nature name. Although this name covers over 100 variants of this plant, when I think of alyssum I always remember the "carpet of snow" variety that we had in the front garden when I was a child. I used to love putting it in tiny little posies and selling them for 5c each. Very enterprising for a 6 year old ☺.

This early association makes me think of Alyssum as a delicate, pretty, and cheerful name, yet also vintage feeling. I could imagine an Alyssum just as at home in a county kitchen as a Viennese ball.

There are a couple of different theories as to where the name originated. As a plant name, Alyssum comes from the Greek alyssos, meaning 'curing madness', as it was once used as a remedy for dogs with rabies. As a name for a person, it has also been denoted to mean 'noble', coming from the same roots as Alice, Alicia and Alyssa. Or if you prefer to take it's meaning from the symbolism behind this flower, the flower is said to mean 'beauty'.

The Sweet Alyssum variant is also said to have some magical properties - planted around the house it will deflect spells, or worn on your lapel it will prevent angry encounters. It's scent promotes peaceful energy and spiritual and emotional balance. Which I guess goes with it's charming and cheerful image.

The main objection I've heard to this name is that it reminds people of the word asylum, as in lunatic asylum. Which is a little sad, as the word asylum means shelter and protection from danger so should have a positive connotation, rather than the negative vibe we feel because it is so often paired with lunatic. But if people are OK with Luna, then there is no reason Alyssum should suffer from any problems with this occasional association. Plus, the enduring popularity of Alice, Alicia and Alyssa shows us that other similar sounding names are actually quite well liked, which would be to its advantage.

Alyssum has only seen rare use in the U.S. - since 1880 it has only charted twice, each time given to just 5 girls and the most recent appearance being in 2007. This makes it a perfect alternative if you love floral names but want something a world away from Lily and Rose yet not so exuberant as options like Amaryllis or Magnolia. Alyssum is definitely one pretty name that I could imagine people complimenting often.

'Carpet of Snow' Alyssum

Fiora

Musical Artist Fiora

Like Fiona or Flora, but want something a little different and a lot rarer? Then how about Fiora.

Fiora (pronounced fee-OR-ah) is one of those names that no one is 100% sure where it came from, but there seem to be two main theories. The first - which seems to be the correct one - is that Fiora comes from the Latin fiore, meaning 'flower'. Fiore was used as a unisex name in Medieval Italian, and related names include Fiorella (feminine form) and Fiorello (masculine form), both meaning 'little flower'.

Another often quoted theory is that Fiora is a variant of the Gaelic name Fiona, which means 'fair' or 'pale'. From what I can find though, this seems to be entirely based on a character called Fiora Flynn, from a mystery series written by A.E Maxwell (husband and wife team Ann and Evan). In this series, main character Fiora receives her name after a nurse at the hospital where she is born mistakenly writes Fiora rather than her intended name, Fiona. As the first book in the series was published in 1985, I'd go with the Medieval Italian source if you want a "legitimate" origin.

Fiora suddenly popped up on the American charts quite recently in 2003. That year it was given to just 5 girls, ranking it at #16566. In 2012 it had risen to position #6917, so this is one name on the move. Besides character Fiora Finn, there are a few examples out there that people may be taking their inspiration from:

• Tasmanian born singer & musician Fiora, best known for dance music collaborations with other prominent dance artists
• Italian charm bracelet and jewellery brand Fiora
• Italian river the Fiora
• Fiora Laurent, a.k.a. The Grand Duellist, champion in the online video game 'League of Legends'
• Playable character Fiora in video game 'Xenoblade Chronicles', whose skills are courage, daring, zeal, rashness and innocence.

The thing I like about Fiora is that the image I get in my mind when I think of a Fiora is so at odds with the meaning of the name. It's a pretty, feminine name, and when you think of flowers you tend to think soft and delicate. Yet when I think of Fiora it makes me think of fire, of someone who is confident, assertive and strong, and I love a girls name that could mean any or all of those things to anyone who hears it. I also like that you could use the spunky nickname Fia, although Fifi or just Fi would also be perfectly cute options.

A Fiora may often get confused for a Fiona or Flora, but if you don't mind that then this is one beautiful, exotic rarity. It could be a way to honour an Italian heritage, or a floral name from your family tree such as Lily or Rose. It would be a surprising name, but one that I think you'll find others will like more than you think.

Wisteria

Wisteria is a beautiful but rarely used floral name that could be due for resurrection. 2011 was the first time in over 30 years that the name was given to five or more girls in the U.S., when seven girls received this as a name. Yet she feels like she could fit right in with today's trend for vintage feeling, frilly up and coming flower monikers. She could easily be a fashionable sister to a Primrose, Marigold, or Magnolia.

The wisteria (pronounced wi-STEER-ee-uh) is a climbing vine with gorgeous pale purple blue flowers. The name shares some sounds with the words whimsical, whisper and wishful, which helps to evoke a delicate, soft, light and almost magical feel when you hear it. This makes it a lovely name for a girl, especially one who believes in fairies and fairy tales. 

Wisteria also comes with some very cute nickname options. My personal favourite is Wish, but I've also seen Ria, Terry, Whis and Wisty suggested. Wisty in particular was chosen by author James Patterson as a nickname for his character Wisteria Allgood in the novel 'Witch and Wizard', so carries a literary reference for mystery lovers.

There are just two things you might want to keep in mind (and avoid - please) if you are considering using Wisteria:

1. Don't be tempted to use the alternate spelling of Wysteria. It's just a little too close for comfort to hysteria, meaning uncontrolled excitement, anger or panic.
2. Resist the urge to use Lane, Layne or Laine as a middle name. Maybe you are a 'Desperate Housewives' fan, maybe not, but there is no need to give a child the same name as the fictional street where the show was set.

If you can get around these two minor potential pitfalls, Wisteria is a great special yet not 'weird' name that many girls would love to have and make her own.

80's Fantasy Favourites

I grew up in the 80's and have very fond memories of some of the fantasy adventure movies from that decade. Movies such as these were an early introduction to a different style of naming. Sometimes they were a slight twist on an old familiar, other times they seemed fantastical. But one of the great things now is that they remind you of those old favourite movies and bring a smile to your face. Here are 20 of my top picks in alphabetical order:

Atreyu  (The Neverending Story) - This is probably one of my favourites on this list. Pronounced ah-TRAY-yoo, he was the warrior boy of the story. It is thought that the name has both Indian/Hindu origins - where it means 'warrior' - and German origins in the name Atreju, which means 'son of all'. Both are quite apt for this character, who was raised by a village when his parents died. The name is still quite rare, but has slowly been gaining in popularity since the early 1990's. In 2011 it was ranked #1339 in the US.

Aquila (Ladyhawke) - Aquila is traditionally a male Latin name meaning 'eagle', but is more often used as a girls name in America. Pronounced either ah-KEE-la or ah-KWIL-la, it was the name of the land in 'Ladyhawke' and is a pretty but rare name.

Auryn (The Neverending Story) - The Auryn was the name of the amulet Atreyu wore to protect and guide him in his quest. It was also on the cover of the book Bastian was reading 'The Neverending Story' from. This name could go either way, as it sounds similar to girls name Lauren and boys name Oren, and has only recently started appearing on the US charts for both. I love the sound of this - it's kind of like Aura but with the benefit of being more "namey" and less "wordy" feeling.

Bastian (The Neverending Story) - One of the most recognisable names on this list, Bastian comes from the Latin boys name Sebastian, meaning 'from Sebastia'. Actor Jeremy Sisto named his son Bastian Kick in 2012, and while the name is growing in popularity in America, it was still ranked just #2387 in 2011. It's much more popular in Chile, where it is a top 20 name, and Germany and Norway.

Buttercup (The Princess Bride) - A name that would sound at home on one of Jules and Jamie Oliver's offspring, Buttercup is a super-cutesy floral name that have never charted in America, despite being the name of the well loved bride of this tale. Probably better left as a term of endearment.

Cherlindrea (Willow) - Pronounced SHER-lyn-dree-ah, she is the fairy queen of the forest who tells Willow that he has been chosen to save the child who will bring about the downfall of the evil queen. I'm not sure how the writer came upon this name - it's like a mixed bag of Cher, Cheryl, Lyn, Linnea and Andrea all rolled into one. Perhaps a little too fantastical to use, this name has never charted in the US.

Elora and Danan (Willow) - Elora Danan was the child Willow was charged with saving. Either of these names are great - fans will appreciate where you got it from and everyone else will just think they sound great.

Elora is thought to be a variation of the Hebrew name Eliora, meaning 'the Lord is my light', or the Greek Eleanor meaning 'bright, shining one'. It's likely though that the writer - himself a Canadian - got it from the Canadian town Elora. Elora has a long history in the US charts, however the movie has certainly helped to boost it's popularity. Prior to 1988 it charted irregularly, but since 'Willow' was released that year it is a regular on the charts. Understandably so - it's a pretty but not overly frilly choice for a girl.

The characters second name is spelled Danan, but is quite often thought to be Dannan or Dannon. Interestingly, Danan has only ever charted for boys, Dannan only for girls, while Dannon can be seen on boys and girls. The original form is most likely Danann, as in the Irish legend of the Tuatha De Danann, which I only say because Willow uses the word tuatha when he is trying to cast a spell. This would give the name the meaning of 'people of  Dana'. Personally I prefer this name for a boy, with the spelling of Dannon. It reminds me of the strength of a cannon, but without the negative weaponry connotation.

Falkor (The Neverending Story) - Falkor was that fluffy flying white luck dragon in the movie. A very cool name, like Falcon but less "birdy". Falkor (or Fuchur in the original German text) has no accepted origin or meaning, and has never charted in the US.

Isabeau (Ladyhawke) - I love Isabeau, it is such a romantic name. Pronounced IS-ah-bo, it's a variant of Isabel and means 'God is my oath'. It's likely that it's less popular than Isabelle or Isabella variants because although Belle/Bella and Beau all mean 'beautiful', the first two are usually the feminine version while Beau is masculine. Beau is also a term used for a male suitor. Nevertheless, it's a beautiful (no pun intended) name and would be stand out from the Isabels and Isabellas, and ensure that you avoid the nickname Bella. Isabeau entered the US charts in 1987 and has maintained a constant but quiet presence.

Jareth (Labyrinth) - This is one name that would be instantly associated with the movie it comes from. But in a good way - Jareth the Goblin King was played brilliantly by David Bowie, and is iconic within 80's movies.  Inevitably it would be confused a lot with Jared, but it carries a massive cool factor that would probably go a long way towards making up for that. Jareth hit the US charts the same year the movie was released - 1986 - but again has never been super popular.

Kael (Willow) - Like the sound of Kale, but not the less than flattering association with cabbage? Then you may want to spell it Kael. This variation first cracked the US top 1000 in 2006, and was still there in 2011. Kael is a variant of the Gaelic name Kaelen, meaning 'uncertain'. It's also used in 'World of Warcraft' (Kael'Thas Sunstrider) and is generally seen as a name for a dark, strong and forbidding type. I can't help but think that it would make a good name for a love interest in a romance novel. Hmmm, maybe someone should write one featuring lead characters called Isabeau and Kael?

Kira (The Dark Crystal) - Kira is one of those names with many multiple spellings. This is one of the sleeker  versions, and also the one worn by Olivia Newton John in 'Xanadu' and female officer Major Kira on 'Star Trek: Deep Space Nine'. Each of the variations have different origins and meanings, therefore meanings vary from 'dark' in Gaelic to 'throne' in Persian to 'glitter' in Japanese. Kira has been in the US top 1000 since 1979 - and the top 500 for most of those years - but has been declining slightly in the past few years.

Ludo (Labyrinth) - Also the name of a board game, Ludo was the lovable friendly monster in 'Labyrinth'. It has never charted in America, but did appear as a minor character name in 'Harry Potter'. Ludo is assumed to be a nickname for any number of boys names starting with Lud, such as the German Ludwig or the French Ludovic, both meaning 'famous warrior'. But I see no reason to have a long version name with this one - Ludo could fit in quite well with current hot names Milo and Arlo.

Rylan (The Last Starfighter) - It sounds kind of like Riley and kind of like Ryan, and in this movie it was the name of the people on the planet Rylos, which the star fighter is recruited to protect. Rylan is English in origin, means 'land where rye is grown' and is a top 1000 name in the US for both boys and girls. Which I was surprised to hear. Guess this isn't quite as "undiscovered" as I thought it would be. Makes a good different-but-not-too-different name.

Sorsha (Willow) - I've also seen this one pop up as a hero name in the video game 'Heroes of Might and Magic'. I quite like the sound of it - it's an alternative spelling of the Irish name Sorcha, meaning 'bright, shining'. Sorsha has rarely charted in the US, possibly because the character was nasty for most of the film which might have discouraged parents. It's a great fantasy sounding name though, and you would be extremely unlikely to meet another one if you chose this name.

Tyrian (Dragonslayer) - I personally prefer Tyrion as in the 'Game of Thrones' character, as this spelling brings it just that little closer to looking like tyranny and tyrannical, which aren't exactly positive attributes. Tyrian is also the name of a dark reddish purple that was once prized for it's rarity and ability to become richer with exposure to sunlight, rather than faded. 'Tyrian' is also the name of a video game, or spelled Tirian is the final king of Narnia in CS Lewis' 'The Last Battle'. Both spellings are rare but have charted at least once in America.There is no information on the history or origins of either names - best guess is they might be  variations of Welsh girls name Tirion, meaning 'gentle', which seems a little at odds with it's appearance.

Westley (The Princess Bride) - Looks like Wesley but has more of a cowboy feel to it. Westley is an English name meaning 'western meadow'.  Westley has a long history in the US charts, but is more often outside the top 1000 than in it. Boys names ending in "ley" such as Bentley are pretty popular right now- Westley would be a great choice if you're looking for current sounding but not over-used.

Willow (Willow) - This is by far the most popular name on this list, but 'Willow' would have to be one of my favourite ever movies of 80's, so I couldn't really do this list without including it. Willow was man whose self doubt held him back from being the sorcerer he desperately wanted to be. When he accepts the challenge of protecting Elora Danan he finds the courage to be a truly great sorcerer. Willow is a great unisex name, although far more popular for girls, particularly in the US.

Valerian (Dragonslayer) - Yes, Valerian may be a most often recognised as a herbal remedy for sleeplessness. But it can also be argued that this is a very regal sounding nature name, one that would work for both genders. It has been the name of a Roman emperor and several saints, and is a Latin name meaning 'healthy, strong'. Valerian is a rare name, and likely to stay that way for the foreseeable future.

Did you see your favourite on this list? Would you use a name inspired by your favourite movie? Or maybe you already have......

Saffron

Today's name was in part inspired by a post on 100 Best Fall Baby Names. Yes, I'm on the other side of the hemisphere and therefore it's more timely for me to be thinking about Spring names right about now. But when I noticed this gem at the number 14 position on the girl's list, I was reminded of how much I have liked Saffron for a long time.

There were two main reasons that Saffron popped onto my radar as a teenager in the 90's. The first inspiration came in the form of the long suffering daughter on the British comedy classic 'Absolutely Fabulous'. Saffron - often better known as Saffy or "Saffy Darling" - was the daughter of PR maven Edina (played by Jennifer Saunders). Edina was crazy, outrageous and incredibly selfish. She liked to overindulge in drugs and booze, and I think it was always assumed that the name Saffron was a result of her drug induced, hazy hippy days. Saffron herself however was anything but dippy. She was the calm, sensible one attempting to bring normalcy to their lives and counterbalance the effects of Edina's crazy friend Patsy (played by Joanna Lumley). Saffron was played by Julia Sawalha, who I already loved from her days in the show 'Press Gang'. At the time Saffron seemed like such a far out, 'hippy' name and at such contrast to the sensible on-screen character that I was intrigued.

And then not long after 'Absolutely Fabulous' hit the screens, I fell in love with a movie called 'Circle of Friends'. Well worth a watch if you haven't already seen it - I love to pull this off the DVD shelf from time to time. But without going too off-track here, one of the stars of this gem was the then relatively unknown Saffron Burrows. And suddenly Saffron went from being an 'interesting but a bit of a strange, hippy name' to being a beautiful, sophisticated and unique name for me.

Saffron still strikes me as an elegant name, and slightly quirky in-a-good-way. As a spice name, it feels like a more modern alternative to other spice names such as Rosemary and Thyme. Saffron is arguably the rarest and most expensive spice (it can only be collected by hand), making it feel very special and unique. It is also a colour name - this bright yellow spice is used to dye the robes that monks of some eastern religions such as Buddhism a bright yellow orange colour. And Saffron is a flower name, as the spice Saffron comes from the purple crocus flower.

While I think the nickname Saffy used in 'Absolutely Fabulous' is cute, I understand that actual Saffrons don't necessarily feel the same way. Real life Saffrons have also reported that people seem to associate this name with India, possibly due to the prevalent of the spice in Indian food, despite it being a name that seems to have originated in England.

However I think one person who commented on the babyname wizard website summed up my feelings on the name Saffron most eloquently with this insightful comment: "I think this is a perfect name to give a baby if you believe your child is worth her weight in gold (or even more than her weight in gold)". Ditto from me.

Sookie

Anna Paquin as Sookie Stackhouse

Unfortunately, next weeks episode of 'True Blood' means the end of another great season of this show, and a long wait until season six starts in June 2013. So in honour of the ending of another season, I thought it a fitting time to look at the interesting name of the main character - Sookie Stackhouse.

Sookie is pronounced as SOO-key (sounds like cookie). 'True Blood' has created a lot of interest in this name - website www.parenting.com reports that Sookie has been one of the most searched girls names on their site in 2010 and 2011. However this so far does not seem to be translating to actual use, as Sookie is yet to crack the top 1000 in America and certainly doesn't rate a mention in Australian charts.

Sookie is an unusual names that has been used not only in 'True Blood' which is based on the Charlaine Harris novels, but also in 'Gilmore Girls' in the form of kooky chef Sookie St James, and as the name of Claire Danes' character in the movie "Igby Goes Down". For those familiar with the name through these characters, you possibly think that Sookie is a cute name, slightly left of centre but quite lovable. Sookie is thought to originate from Susanna or Susan, and all three mean "Lily".  Of course, the name Lily is a top 10 name in America and England, and a top 20 name in Australia. So there is a possibility that maybe people will start to look to Sookie as an alternative to the wildly popular Lily.

So why hasn't Sookie taken off the way the names from that other big vampire franchise - Twilight - have? Isabella and Jacob shot up the charts once those movies went into production, and let's face it, vampires are hot right now. Here's what I think are the main factors that have contributed to it's less than stellar performance on the charts:
1 - it's similarity to a certain 'Jersey Shore' "celebrealty" called Snooki. The similarity is far too close for comfort, with most parents wanting to keep any comparisons to this controversial character as far away from their daughters as possible (with good reason!)
2 - in Australia, "sookie" - or the more elaborate "sookie-la-la" - is another word for a crybaby. You're just asking for your daughter to be the butt of jokes if you give her the name Sookie in Australia.
3 - people tend to see Sookie as more of a pet name, both figuratively and literally. Yes, on sites such as www.babynames.com where you can upload photos of your precious little ones you don't see photos of happy children, just cute little puppy dogs.

Sookie may be one name that's best left to the world of movies and TV, where people don't get teased for their names unless it's an important plot line. Or if you really want to use it, stick to Susanna with the nickname Sookie instead. It's a shame. I can fully understand why you'd want to name a daughter after the brave, intriguing Sookie Stackhouse.

Florinda

I saw this name - Florinda - in the paper today as the name of a French model. Having never heard it before, I was intrigued. It sounded like a great smoosh of Florence (which is so hot right now) and Linda. Exotic yet familiar at the same time, and different enough to stand out in a crowd.

So I have to admit I was surprised when a quick Google showed me that this is far from a new, invented name. Florinda is a Latin/French name, a variant of Flora, who was the Roman Goddess of Flowers. Like Flora, it means flower, flowering or in bloom. It has been used more years than not in the US but never given to more than a couple of dozen girls in any one year. When used used in Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands it is pronounced flo-RIN-dah (which is how I automatically thought of it), when used in Spain and Portugal it is said flo-REEN-dah.

Florinda could be a great, little used alternative for popular favourites Flora and Florence, and better yet, another way to get to the cute nicknames Flo and Florrie. It's also a subtle nature name, for those like myself who like names with nature meanings. Still not quite convinced? Here are a few other similar choices and their meanings to get you thinking:

Florine (flower)

Florina (flower)

Florissa (flower-like)

Florencia (blooming flower)

Florentina (blooming flower)

Floressa (flower)

Floretta (flower)

Floria (blooming flower)

Floriana (flower)

Florinia (blooming flower)

Florita (flower)

Fleur (flower)

Fleurette (little flower)

section of the painting 'Florinda' (1852) by Franz Xaver Winterhalter

Calla

A pink Calla Lily flower

Calla is a girl's name that seems to be suddenly popping up on the Internet and in the baby name books as a fresh new flower name alternative - as in the Calla Lily. Lily is a top 20 name in both Australia and the US, so it stands to reason that parents to be would be on the lookout for viable alternatives, and this could be just the name for the job.

Calla has the dual advantage of a old-fashioned yet modern feel. It is easy to pronounce and feels warm and friendly, girly and tomboyish all at once. Calla, far from being a modern invented name, is a Greek name meaning beautiful. It would be striking with other nature names such as Sage and Bay. Calla is also perfectly poised to be a nickname for longer Greek names that derive from Calla - such as Callista (meaning most beautiful) and Calliope (meaning beautiful voice). Which also opens it up as an option for those that love more fanciful/mythological/Greek names that have more accessible nicknames.

A couple of objections I've seen are that it could be caught up in the Kayla/Kaylee trend, that it was the name of a Gummi Bear on the 80's cartoon, or that it is slightly reminiscent of "call girl". However the response to this name seems to be overwhelmingly positive, with most lovers of the name suggesting it'd be best paired with a shorter and/or more traditionally feminine middle name.

Whatever way you prefer to use it, Calla is a versatile name that is beautiful by name and beautiful by nature. I'd love to see used more often!