Primula is actually the genus name for a number of species of flower including the primrose. It is not a synonym for Primrose, however, as cowslips and oxlips are also Primula. They're all lovely flowers though, making this a lovely name for a girl. It's a shame Shakespeare never chose to use it; then it would have had his literary seal of approval and influential endorsement, as Viola did.Another shame is the brand of Primula Cheese Spread, which gives the name a silly association for those who've only encountered it as the brand name :-( [noted -ed]