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Begonia and other unusual flower names
Lately I have been thinking about flower names. They are incredibly popular, probably because they convey an image immediately and it is usually one of beauty, freshness and life. It seems though, that there are plenty of accepted flower names... and plenty of flowers names that are just not used as names (usually). So, for every Rose, Daisy, Lily and Violet... I wonder how many parents wished they had the guts to use Amaryllis, Begonia, Aster or Hyacinth?
So - here are the questions:
1) What do you think of Begonia as a potential name? In all seriousness.
2) Are there any flower names you actually would like to use for boys?
3) What non-traditional flowers-for-names would you consider? Or, give us a few you are unsure of and ask for our opinion!
Thanks in advance all!______________________________________________
"How wonderful it is that no one need wait a single moment before starting to improve upon the world." -Ann Frank
Mama to my "bright star" Clarisse Bituin and Wife to Julius. Mahal na mahal from our little family to yours!
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1. I think Begonia sounds kind of ridiculous, honestly, but to me it just has an unpleasant sound.2. Aster. That might be the only one.3. My most non-traditional flower name that I would consider for a middle name is Daffodil. They have a lot of significance to me, and it is sounds similar to Daphne... eh, a little bit. Haha. Others have named the rest, but they are: Magnolia, Zinnia, Lavender, Dahlia, Marigold, & Lilac. I love floral names. The conventional ones I like are Rose & Violet. Other plants: Ivy, Fern, & Hazel.

This message was edited 3/26/2015, 1:09 PM

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1. I like it. One of my GPs is Begoña, a Spanish name. It's not derived from the flower name, but from a sacred place where the Virgin has appeared, I think, but I like to think of it as a flower name.
2. Fern, perhaps.
3. I like a lot of non-traditional plant names:
Amarante
Amaryllis (love it)
Betony
Celandine
Cinnamon
Fern
Hyacinth
Japonica
Jonquil
Juniper
Lavender
Marguerite
Nymphaea (water lily)
Primrose
Saffron
Windflower
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I like the image of Peony, but I hate that when mumbled or misheard it could sound like "pee on me." Similar story with Poppy...I just think of zits and poop. And Lotus, its the name brand of a feminine hygiene product. Lastly, Orchid, which comes from a term for testes. I like Dahlia but can't get the image of the Black Dahlia out of my head, so thats a no go. I like Magnolia and could actually see it in use. Other flowers I like are ranunculus, anemone, hydrangea, allium, mums, freesia, gardenia, and amaranth. I guess I could see Anemone, Hydrangea, Allium, Freesia, and Gardenia being used, but probably not by me. 1) I can see it working if you really love it. Then ending is what makes it usable, as there are other -ia names.
2) Nope, not that I can think of. I like tree names for boys.
3) See above.

This message was edited 3/26/2015, 1:32 AM

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1) I can see it on either the daughter of aristocratic parents in the 1890's, or on the daughter of hippies/hipsters/yuppies/artists in the 2010's. Either way, I appreciate it. 2) Sweetwilliam, as a major GP, and Aster, which I also dig on a girl, and Oleander, which I'd use as a middle name. 3) I play it pretty safe when it comes to flower names, Linnéa being my #1 flower name, but I'm a fan of Marigold and I've been liking Azalea lately. Interesting how a lot of people are mentioning Bryony, which I do love, but is also very, very popular here.
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I always thought Linnea would be a great name if someone had twins, being that it means "twinflower". You could pair it with Vanamo, which is Finnish for "twinflower". Talk about subtle matching!
Linni and Vana are cool nns too. Anyway... I like your answer about the artistocrats vs hippies, etc. It's spot on. I still like the name, though I doubt I am gutsy enough to consider it IRL. Sweetwilliam is very cool... and I like Oleander a lot. I could totally see it one aboy.
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I'm not a big fan of Begonia as a fn, but maybe as a mn. Amaranth, Amaranthe, Amarantha
Dahlia, Dalia
Narcissa
Aster
Azalea
Zinnea
Acacia
Acantha, Acanthe
Juniper
Laurel
Calla
Josephine 'Posy'Valerian (m)
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1) What do you think of Begonia as a potential name?
Not a fan. I don’t like the sound and the potential nickname Beg makes it even worse to me.2) Are there any flower names you actually would like to use for boys?
Not use, but I do like Neven, Jasmin, Hyacinth, Lilian, Dren (Dogwood), Mak, Narcis, Rowan and Sage for boys.

3) What non-traditional flowers-for-names would you consider?
These are on my GP list: Amaryllis, Azalea, Bryony, Calla, Camellia, Capucine, Dahlia, Edelweiss, Forsythia, Genista, Honeysuckle, Lilac, Magnolia, Marigold, Mimosa, Pansy, Peony , Petunia, Primrose, Saffron, Salvia, Tansy, Verbena , Zinnia
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Aster is nice and would work well on a boy, but most flower names would sound too effeminate. Some herbs and trees seem to work better as male names or at least sound unisex. Begonia sounds terrible even worse than Petunia, Orchid or Myrtle. Some flowers like Hydrangea and Ranunculus simply sound ridiculous. Hycinth reminds me of the overbearing protagonist/antagonist in the old show "Keeping Up Appearances."
Most of these flower names I would not use. Flower Names Girls:
Chrysanthe
Sakara
Wisteria
Angelica
Astilbe
Canna
Delphinium
Morning Glory- guilty pleasure
Astrantia
Calla
Carlina
Cynara
Anemone
Cercis
Celosia
Forsythia
Malva
Verbena
VincaPossible Boy Flower names:
Narcissus- wouldn't use
Jonquil
Helianthus
Larkspur
Eremurus
Hellebore
Scolymus
Carthamus
Amaranthus
Hawthorn- flowering tree
Oleander
Yarrow
Valerian
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I actually quite like Vinca and Oleander. I doubt I would use them, but they seem realistic to my tastes. As for Hyacinth... we have it on our list as Giacinta and Giacinto (the Italian translations). I agree that it would be a bit much in English, to me.
Love your list though - plenty to think about!
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1) Begonia: thumbs down as I can't think of a nice nn, which is a problem with a four-syllable name, and it reminds of of 'begone'. Maybe as a middle name.
2) Viorel & Hyacinthe are nice, although not something I'd actually use myself.
3) Lilas & Eglantine, maybe
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I was thinking Nia would be a decent nickname for Begonia, or Bego if I wanted to be daring. Viorel is cool! I have to be honest and say that I have never heard of it.
Lilas is decent as well. I have a grandmother named Lila, and I have always appreciated the sound. Eglantine is a GP of mine. Wouldn't fly well in the US though (imo).
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1) I'm not sure about Begonia... I love flower names, but Begonia sounds a bit old. For some reason it makes me think of a nun.2) I know a boy called Aster, and I've always liked it better on a boy than on a girl. I'm not sure if it's a real flower name, but I think Blossom could work on a boy too. And maybe Tulip.3) Unusual flower names I like: Azalea, Primrose, Zinnia, Magnolia, Lavender. I know these aren't extremely unusual.
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Aster on a boy is fantastic! Tulip would be interesting. I like all of the flowers you listed though. Magnolia is probably my favorite of them, and I can never decide if I like that or Marigold better. Azalea is probably the most mainstream and usable imo. Quite lovely.
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I don't like Begonia. It just doesn't sound appealing to me. Not into flower names for boys either.Non-traditional flower names I'd consider (very seriously, I really like botany and natural history so these names appeal to me a lot):Amarantha
Bryony
Camellia
Calanthe - I like the nn Calla for this, which is coincidentally also a flower name haha
Diantha
Iris
Juniper - probably with the nn June, but I also think Juniper is fun to say on its own
Magnolia - I like the nn Nola for this
Poppy & Posy - I like these two, but I am not sure if they are strong enough to stand alone as given fns imo
Primrose - prefer this one as a mn
Zinnia

This message was edited 3/24/2015, 10:19 PM

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Love your list!Amarantha is bold and upbeat, a great choice. I could totally see it in use. Bryony and Briony we actually considered. I think they have a certain charm, plus they sound trendy but are not.

Camellia is so sleek, as is Calanthe. I think these would be most likely to be used (by me) if I were to go the flower route ever. Calanthe is especially daring and darling.Diantha is a great name... I can see it as a perfect alternative to honor a Diane or Diana, and still sound fresh. I have a thing for 'th' though. Iris is one of my favorite names, and Zinnia and Magnolia are stellar as well. Juniper and Poppy are probably my least faves, but only because they have a trendy vibe to be. Posy is adorable though, and Primrose is endearingly sweet. Thanks for the offerings!
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1. Sounds kind of weird.
2. Narcissus and Hyacinth could work as boys' names. The French forms Narcisse and Hyacinthe are unisex. (In Portuguese, we have Narciso and Jacinto.)
3. None, really.I admit, Amaranth is a guilty pleasure of mine.Look at the hobbit family trees in the appendices of the Lord of the Rings books. Half of the female hobbits are named after flowers. Some of the more unusual ones include Malva, Peony, Camellia, Celandine, Lobelia, Amaranth, Asphodel, Mentha, Melilot, Belladonna, Primula, and Primrose.
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Narcisse is great. I actually quite like it. We have Giacinto on our list, but haven't thought of the narcissus variation before. Thanks for the idea. Amaranth is fantastic. I am surprised it isn't a bit more mainstream. LOTR name are a GP for my husband. Asphodel is especially appealing to me, as is Primula and Celandine. Belladonna always sounds lovely, but is quite dangerous... so I always back away with the meaning. Still, I hadn't made the flower connection in Tolkien's work before. I will have to look those up again!
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1. Begonia makes me think of Mrs. Doubtfire when Miranda screams "He at my begonias!"Also, I just don't like the sound. 2. No3. Camellia, Lilac, Hyacinth (are those non-traditional enough, idk?)

This message was edited 3/24/2015, 5:11 PM

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Lol at Mrs. Doubtfire.
My mom actually suggested Begonia and I was quite surprised. I think I like it especially because it is kind of clunky and weird... yet the image is so beautiful. Lilac, Camellia and Hyacinth are cuurently non-traditional. Though, I think all would make decent names. I can see Lilac making a surge soon, to combat the Lily, Delilah and Lilah trend.
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1. I don't like the sound of Begonia enough to find it appealing as a name. It makes me think of the imperative 'begone, you.' Even as a name for a flower, it always has.2. Penstemon. Well, I wouldn't actually use it. It's a GP. Middle name, I would use it.3. I like Zinnia. I made a list of botanical "names" once ... I don't really like them all that much, but here you go
Vervain (longtime GP)
Kalanchoe (KAL-lan-KOH-ee, I think)
Frangipani
Salvia (sages)
Calamintha; Calamint ("butterfly bush")
Calliandra
Solandra
Persea (avocado genus)
Olea (olive genus)
Betony
Dittany
Orphine
Poplar
Neomarica
Abelia

This message was edited 3/24/2015, 3:56 PM

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Penstemon is interesting. I am not sure I have even heard of it. I would make a cool middle for a boy... very grounded and bold. A statement choice. From your list... I like Solandra a lot. Betony and Vervain are lovely. I also love Poplar. I have never thought of that. I am not sure I would use it on e person myself... but it's a great sound with tons of potential.
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1: Begonia it is a little unusual but not bad, it sounds nice, don't whether it would be a boy or a girl. 2:There are some flower names for boys such as Adonis and Melanthios but I don't think I would ever use them. 3: Including: Luljeta and Zaynab, I really like flower names.
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Adonis and Melanthios would be cool to make a comeback today though. I would be impressed, even if I wouldn't use them myself. Luljeta and Zaynab are lovely! I really appreciate their sound, though they would be quite a statement in an English-speaking country. Still... bold and beautiful choices.
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What flower names do you think works for boys.
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I think Larkspur, Aster, Yarrow, Viburnum, Lotus, Snapdragon, Foxglove, Saffron, Narcissus, Jessamine, and Amaranthe. Possibly Hyacinth too, but I prefer the Italian Giacinto.
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There very good, sometimes a flower name sounds better in another language. I like Saffron but I like for a girl as well, if thats not to unusual. I also like Aster but for a girl as well, never thought of it for a boy
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1) I've always thought begonia was a goofy sounding word, so I don't like it as a name. My cousins and I used to make dirty jokes about peonies and begonias, which I realize as an adult didn't make much sense, but we thought were dead funny at the time.

2) There are some tree & herb names that I like for boys, but no flower names. 3) I like Jonquil, Magnolia, Tulip, Bryony, and Clover, plus a couple non-specific botanicals like Blossom, Flora, and Petal. I also like Pansy, but it's probably the most unusable name here.
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I like Clover too. I often wonder if it really is usable or too cutesy for real life. In any case... I can see your subtle Peony and Begonia point. I think Peonies would be the likelier to be seen by others as a joke. Begonia is kinda goofy though. I am stubbornly still loving it.
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1. I personally wouldn't use this name. As a name it doesn't sound pretty to me.

2. Hyacinth and Aster3.
Lotus
Lilac
Belladonna
Snowdrop
Periwinkle
Calla
Tiger-Lily
Chrysanthemum
Camellia
Orchid
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Belladonna is pretty in a deadly kind of way.
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I was thinking that too. It sounds so lovely, but is just so dangerous! It would be a great character name for that multi-faceted-ness alone. Not sure I could saddle a child with that... though I feel the same way about Sorrel.
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1. I have only ever had one Begonia combo: Nella Begonia. I think it's sweet and begonias are so pretty! I prefer it in the middle.2. For a boy I tend to prefer arboreal names. However, I love the idea of a little boy named Mandrake, Woodrose, Jonquil, Briar (briar rose), or Larkspur. I am actually crushing on Phlox in the middle. I mean Fox works so...?3. I'd use a flower name no hesitation. Lilac is a long time love of mine. We're talking I'm on like year 6 of it being on my list. I can't see it going anywhere I just love it too much. I also adore Azalea, Zinnia, Posy, and Rose.

This message was edited 3/24/2015, 2:34 PM

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Nella Begonia is adorable! It packs quite a punch in the middle, doesn't it?I think I prefer it in the middle too, but if I were to use it, it would have to take the FN spot. I am glad to see that someone likes it, like me. I know it's an unconventional appeal... but I do really like it. The imagery is just so attractive. - I know a Briar! There is a Briar at the company I work for, so I always think of it as a boy name. I think he is a Briar Jonathan. But, I like Briar Alistair or Briar Marcel a lot. Phlox I have never thought of... but I do like Fox soo... Lilac is quite lovely. I mentioned somewhere else that I considered it to honor a Lila. It has a beauty in sound and imagery, making it a great RL choice. I also like the other flowers you listed.
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That's so cool! I wouldn't think of Briar having been used earlier than the 2000's or so but Brian was quite popular and Briar is so similar that it makes perfect sense that some parents might have chosen it instead.
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Yeah... he is in his late 30s. I am sure Briar has been in use for a long time though.
It first made the Social Security index in 1971 with 5 boys. It was used just for boys for a couple years... then in 1975, 5 girls were named Briar. Minimal usage since... but there are always at least a few boys with the name since then.
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1. I think it would be an ok name. I personally like the sound of it, but I think to the non-namenerd the Beg- part could be off-putting. However, it will at least be generally recognizable.2. Actually use, no. But like hypothetically: Jonquil, Delphinium, and Rose3. Again, none I would consider in real life, but some I do like. But right now, along with the ones mentioned above, I can only think of Baptisia (f).
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I thought it might be off-putting as well... however I asked the pickiest (well, second pickiest) person I know, my mother. She loved it! In fact, she may have been the one to suggest it at one point. I happen to like the odd clunk of 'Beg' and might even consider Bego or Bega as a nickname. Though, I am sure Nia would be the more appropriate nickname choice. I don't know... I am just crushing on Begonia right now. Jonquil would be great on a boy. Rose would be unexpected, but I think I could handle it. Baptisia is darling.
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