Friday Faves: Our Top 10 Favourite Flower Names for Girls

Rose - a flower, but also a NAME.

We like to have a little fun on Fridays, so today we're going to look at flower-inspired names girls. Now, naming a child used to be so simple: "You wanna call her Gretta, Edna  or Delores?" Boom, done. But anecdotally, at least, there's been a distinct uptick in recent years in people wanting unique names for their children. Heck, there are directory listings of "unique" baby names, which is a bit self-defeating, no?

Anyway, before we get too off-track, the point is -- flowers can provide some great inspiration for coming up with a unique name for your child. Here, we'll suggest our top ten favourite names for girls that are inspired by flowers.

Blossom: There's a whole generation of people who grew up watching the TV show who already are
mothers, or will become mothers shortly. Will this name surge in popularity? Ehhh, probably not, but still. Really, we just wanted to include that picture over there.

Rose: This is more of an old-fashioned name than a trendy new one, but it's pretty by any other name. After peaking in the 1910s, it steadily declined in popularity, but has rebounded slightly since the '80s.

Lily: According to this handy and super-addictive tool which we're using to reference all these numbers, the popularity of Lily has skyrocketed in the past couple of decades. In the 80s, it was the 673rd most popular name; in 2012, it was the 16th most popular.

Violet: After dropping from being fairly common in the early part of the 20th century into a baby oblivion during the '80s and '90s, the name 'Violet' has rebounded strongly in recent years.

Daisy: Like Rose, its most popular days are behind it. The name saw a slight resurgence in the '90s but has dropped off in recent years.

Marigold: This has never been in the top 1000 names during any time period. You want a unique name? That's a good sign that it's pretty unique.

Aster: See 'Marigold.'

Jasmine: More people probably know the name itself rather than the fact it's based on a flower. Its popularity was non-existent until the 1960s, and it rocketed up in popularity, becoming the 25th most common girls' name in the 1990s. It's since sharply dropped off again, though.

Heather: Again, many people wouldn't know the name better than the plant. It was the 8th most popular name of the 1970s, but it's really out of vogue now -- dropping to 708th place in 2012.

Iris: Iris has never been a super-popular name, but it's certainly seen its share of peaks and valleys... and it's on its way up again, sitting at its most popular point since the 1940s.

MORE FRIDAY FAVOURITES FROM BLOOMEX

• The top 10 songs with flowers in the title
• The top 10 best quotes about flowers

2008 Floral Trends

So, what’s hot for floral trends in 2008? The trends for 2008-2009 were unveiled at the AIFD’s (American Institute of Floral Design) “The Edge of Paradise” Symposium in Palm Desert in the summer of 2007. At that time, with the input from leading floral stylists and floral product designers, they arrived at the 2008 floral forecast. Based on various factors, the following 5 factors are the lead in for 2008 floral trends.


“Habitat”

A concern for the Earth, gentler, yellowed greens dominate, with touches of blue yielding a calm and natural feeling. Flowers and plants of interesting form and texture are showcased. "Habitat" provides a restful, serene and studious environment that communicates one's ecological values, respecting the delicate balance between the Earth and its people. Below are some of the flowers that enact the habitat style:

Rose
'Monte Cassino' Aster
Calla
Hydrangea
Gladiola
Tulip
Hyacinth


"Nocturne"

"Nocturne" exudes luxury and opulence with a darker edge. This provocative, urban palette is inspired by haute couture and celebrity culture. Lustrous hues of greyed purples, plums and roses combine in overflowing arrangements that bring together deeply coloured flowers with powerful silhouettes. "Nocturne" expresses elegance and luxury. Below are some of the flowers that enact the habitat style:

Rose
Cattleya Orchid
Japhet Orchid
Phalaenopsis Orchid
Asiatic Lily
Miniature Calla
Gerbera
Gladiolus


"Whisper"

A tranquil, calming aura floats through "Whisper," with neutral, hushed tones of creams, grays and blues. Stronger earth tones, such as brown and charcoal, provide a base, and a hint of dusty coral and shimmery copper add punch. "Whisper" invites us to settle in and let tranquility and texture envelop our senses. Below are some of the flowers that enact the habitat style:

Rose
LA Hybrid Lily
Protea
Peony
Anthurium
Dahlia


“Nomad”


The bright colours of tribal handicrafts from around the globe populate this trend, from golden oranges and saturated blues to deep fuschias and browntinged reds. "Nomad" celebrates the wanderlust in each of us while the global influences that shape our world in a vivid, exciting palette. Below are some of the flowers that enact the habitat style:

Gerbera
Iris
Rose
Asiatic Lily
Parrot Tulip
Miniature Calla
Sunflower

"Chinoiserie"

"Chinoiserie" (pronounced shen-wah'-zeh-ree), a French term describing European interpretations of Chinese style from the 17th and 18th centuries, reflects China's influence as a world power and Westerners' fascination with the country, the site of the 2008 Summer Olympic Games. This update features a midtone colour palette encompassing dominant pink-toned reds as well as lighter purples and greens as complements. "Chinoiserie" offers a new take on cultured style and beauty with its exotic sophistication. Below are some of the flowers that enact the habitat style:

Chrysanthemum
Cymbidium Orchid
Oriental Lily
Calla
Rose
Gladiolus
Gerbera
Tulip
Snapdragon

So what does this all mean? Well to start we can see reoccurring favourites populate the 2008 floral trends guide, the rose, gladioli, orchids and lilies are just but a few. However, the type of flower is not the only thing, the top 5 trends are based on colours and moods of these various favourites. The distinction of trendy colours, as well as the mood these colours and flowers represent is what catapults them into the various category trends. What we are learning is that in our everyday, our moods and the colours we select depict how we feel, flowers have always been considered a “feel good” gift. For spring '08, models became walking bouquets of roses, peonies, and pansies – to name a few. The season itself was the obvious inspiration for this blossoming trend, with designers displaying vibrant illustrations and blurred hothouse motifs in their delightful fashions. Flower lovers will swathe themselves in large, graphic floral prints, while those allergic to the impact of oversized patterns can opt for a quieter take on the flowery trend by choosing summery dresses and silky scarves in mid-sized prints. Flowers are everywhere in our daily lives, and now you can customize your “feel good” surprise with a unique twist of colours, which actually have meanings!