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HelpWhy are Daisy, Iris, Rose, and Violet traditionally used as girl’s names but Marigold, Orchid, Peony, and Tulip aren’t?
What makes a flower suitable for a name?
This message was edited 5/24/2024, 7:34 PM
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With the exception of Orchid, have seen all of these used as girls names. Have also seen Hyacinth which also served as a mans name - with an added e - in the middle ages, Aster, Azalea, and Amarillas. Besides Orchid,have never seen Gladiola, Chrysanthemum, or Zinnia, but am not counting them out. Not these days. Simpke answer, Tastes change.
Thats a good question. Everyone has had some good answers. I would say that it all comes down to how it sounds and what reputation comes with it. Tulip, Peony and Orchid all sound strange - as girl names or names in general. Marigold is the most commonly used out of what you listed. It sounds vintage to me - maybe others think it's too old?
I think Violet and Rose are boring. I adore Daisy. I dislike how Iris and Orchid sound. I have a soft spot for Tulip and Marigold.
Columbine and Lotus sound strange too, but on principle I can enjoy hearing them on other people because I love flower names.
I think Violet and Rose are boring. I adore Daisy. I dislike how Iris and Orchid sound. I have a soft spot for Tulip and Marigold.
Columbine and Lotus sound strange too, but on principle I can enjoy hearing them on other people because I love flower names.
Marigold is used I think.
Orchids are kind of sexual?
Tulip sounds like two-lip. My sister's dog is named this and I am always calling her Two-lips.
Peony sounds like "Pee-a-knee" which... evokes "pee on me" to me.
Orchids are kind of sexual?
Tulip sounds like two-lip. My sister's dog is named this and I am always calling her Two-lips.
Peony sounds like "Pee-a-knee" which... evokes "pee on me" to me.
I like Marigold, but some people might find the old ending unattractive. I think for Orchid it's just a bit weird to name a kid a word that sounds like it ends in kid. Tulip just sounds too much like two lips and Peony has the unattractive pee/toilet sounding beginning. I think the flower names that are more popular are softer and don't resemble other words that might not be a great association (except Violet sounding like violent).
I don't know if this has any bearing on things, but I know that in Victorian flower language marigolds mean "disdain" or "jealousy". So maybe they weren't seen as a nice flower to be named after?
I'm not certain, but I think historically the 1st group is more common in English gardens/countryside. The other ones might have been considered foreign or ostentatious. I know I'd be less comfortable using a name of a flower I wasn't personally familiar with.
Plus, Rose originated as a name independent of the flower, Iris is named after a goddess, and Violet was used in classical forms in literature centuries ago. Maybe people in the Victorian era liked the symbolism of Daisy, and it sounds similar to various other English names.
Plus, Rose originated as a name independent of the flower, Iris is named after a goddess, and Violet was used in classical forms in literature centuries ago. Maybe people in the Victorian era liked the symbolism of Daisy, and it sounds similar to various other English names.
This message was edited 1/30/2024, 3:50 PM
I think the sounds of the others just aren't as pleasant, though I do like Marigold and Orchid!
The second group has been used as girls' names, just not nearly as often as the first group. I think a lot of that is just luck of the draw. Orchid probably got the least use, because it comes from a root meaning testicle, and the educated classes way back when would have known that.