Flower names for boys are a rare find, but there are some truly handsome options for new parents to consider. Floral names have long been popular for baby girls, but nature-loving parents are driving the trend for boys as well. These flower names for boys might not be as apparent as other nature names like Fox or Sky, but they do have flowery roots. You’ll also find some of these names aren’t as popular in the US as they are in Europe and beyond.
We love flowers. Who doesn’t? So, we decided to take a deep dive into floral names for boys and flower-adjacent names to help bring a bit of beauty and bloom to your little one’s name. Now, some of these baby names are going to be “too out there” for some parents and if you find yourself attracted to one, but think it might be over-the-top, consider it as a middle name. Discover our favorite flower names for boys below.
Discover the Flower Names for Boys That Parents Are Turning to Today.
Aletris
A medicinal plant known as “unicorn root” because of the horn-like appearance of its long stems of white flowers, Aletris is a handsome name. It shares the common Al-beginning of so many other favorites like Alex and Allister but offers a wonderful, unique, floral meaning.
Asciano
Aciano and Asciano are beloved baby boy names in Europe. The name refers to the “blue cornflower” or “blue bottle flower” and we think it sounds very elegant. The name has Spanish origins and it is one of the few flower names for boys from the language.
Zahur
The name Zahur is Egyptian and Arabic. It means “flower.” Zahur offers the coolness of other z-names but with a wonderful, soft meaning.
Zephyr
Zephyr lilies get their name because they only bloom after heavy rainfall. In Greek mythology, Zephyr was the god of the west wind that would blow in storms. The name means “west wind.” Technically, this name is unisex but we prefer it for baby boys.
Sorrel
An edible herb with reddish-purple flowers, sorrels have a delicious name. Sorrel is a popular choice for girls in France, but we think it has the potential to crossover for boys. The name means “reddish.” It’s one of the flower names for boys we expect to take off in the next few years in America.
Senna
Senna is a genus of flowering plants from the legume family. Senna is a very popular name in the Netherlands these days but hasn’t made its way to the US yet. Names that end in A are rare for baby boys but this one is established and very sweet.
Rosen
Rosen Plevneliev was the former president of Bulgaria and he has a very flowery name. Rosen means “dittany” to Bulgarians but to Germans, the name means “roses.” This flower name for boys is pretty much right on the nose but we still love it.
Ren
Japanese baby names are so fresh and make for excellent options for parents who want to think outside the box. Ren means “water lily” and it is currently trending. It is the perfect alternative to the bird name, Wren. We think this name is wonderful!
Oleander
Oleander might not be the first name that pops into mind and we totally get that! But, the name is similar to both Oliver and Alexander and offers a compromise between the two. Of course, this name refers to the flowering tree (or shrub). Oleander has endless nickname possibilities but we feel Ollie is the one new parents will want to use for it most.
Lupin
Lupin flowers are so-named because of the way they eat up nutrients from the soil they’re planted in. Lupin has Latin origins and means “wolf-like.” For a name that’s tough, yet soft, go with Lupin. It’s one of the many flower names for boys to have a great nickname attaching. Lu is right there, folks!
Jacinto
Jacinto is an awesome name with Spanish or Portuguese origins that refers to the hyacinth flower. Popular nicknames for Jacinto are “Chinto” or “Cinto.” Otherwise, the proper pronunciation of the name is Hah-SEEN-to. We’re very much into this name.
Garland
Garland was in the top 500 names in the US for fifty years before it slowly fell off the charts in 1985. It’s a solid name that has origins in Old English and French. It refers, of course, to a wreath of flowers.
Bud
A wholly American invention, Bud is a name for a friend or pal, short for “buddy.” However, you can think of it differently as a flower name. Fun fact: Bud was a popular given name for baby boys up until the 1960s. Easy, breezy, and casual Bud would be surrounded by many friends, we’re sure.
Heath
The name of a family of flowering shrubs, Heath gained popularity thanks, in part, to actor Heath Ledger. The name of English origin means “the heathland dweller.” It is slightly slipping in popularity today, but we expect those fortunes to start to change very soon. This evergreen name is a welcome alternative to a name like Keith.
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Hawthorn
Another topographic name, Hawthorn was traditionally used for those living “near a hedge of hawthorn.” Somewhat prickly, but exceedingly elegant, Hawthorn would be an excellent pick for your baby boy. Crataegus, commonly called hawthorn, is a genus of several hundred species of flowering shrubs and trees in the family Rosaceae, native to temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere in Europe, Asia, North Africa, and North America. It’s one of the flower names for boys that sounds the most stately.
Campion
Campion wildflowers are beloved for their pink or red petals. This name sounds so close to “champion” that it would, no doubt, be a winner for a baby boy. It actually means “champion.” The name has both English and French origins and we think it’s got universal appeal. Who liked the idea of the nickname Camp?
Calix
Calix is a rising name for boys. It benefits from having the cool-sounding “Cal” and also sounding similar to the popular name Alex. Calyx is a botanical term for the cup of a flower. This is one of our favorite names on the list and it’s easy to see why it’s getting traction.
Betony
We are fully aware that this name is very close to Bethany, but Betony benefits from having the “Tony” ending. This name also belongs to a wildflower. In the language of flowers, Betony signifies surprise, so this might make for a meaningful choice for an unexpected pregnancy or premature birth. We love the name Betony and hope parents start to use it more often.
Florian
Florian is a handsome name for boys that takes its root from the Latin flos which means “flower.” While the name has enjoyed broad popularity in the US, it’s a favorite in Europe where you’ll also find its other forms: Fiore, Florent, and Florin.
Thyme
A flowering herb with a soft and appealing name, Thyme is a delicious herb and even more tasteful name. It is a very rare choice for boys today, but we think it has plenty going for it. It has a strong sound and a mellow vibe.
Yarrow
O-ending names are a spot-on trend right now, but here’s one you don’t hear often. Yarrow has sprays of tiny white or yellow flowers and is said to have been used by Achilles to heal his soldiers’ wounds throughout the Trojan War. Yarrow is also an English habitational surname that means “rough stream.”
Aster
Aster is an English name of Greek origin that means “star.” The name of the Aster flower, named by the English, was derived from the Greek word for star. Like many floral names, Aster is much more popular among baby girls but we think it totally works for boys as well.
Garance
Garance is the vivid, deep burgundy color that comes from the madder flower and that has become a fashionable name for baby girls in France in recent years. While it’s virtually unknown in the US and other English-speaking countries, Garance makes an original choice in among the fashionable flower names for boys. Garance is technically a gender-neutral option and we hope American parents understand that!
Kamal
Kamal is a multicultural name found in Arabic and Hindi naming traditions. Kamal means “lotus flower” or “perfection.” While the name is popular in India and across the Middle East today, you scarcely hear it in the United States. You can change that, folks! Kamal is easily one of the most attractive flower names for boys.
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Rue
Ruta graveolens, commonly known as rue, common rue, or herb-of-grace, is a species of Ruta grown as an ornamental plant and herb. It is prized for its blue leaves and tiny purple flowers. In addition to naming an herb, Rue is also a word from Latin that means “regret.” In French, rue is the name for a “street.” Rue is a gender-neutral option and we expect to be one of the most popular flower names for boys in coming years.
French Flower Names for Girls
Anémone
Anémone is a French name that is derived from an ancient Greek myth. The myth centers around the love story of Aphrodite and Adonis. Aphrodite transforms her wounded lover’s blood into a flower, the crimson anemone, whose soft blooms are blown open by the wind, giving the flower its other name: windflower. The myth also gives the name its meaning, “daughter of the wind.” You will want to pronounce this one as the French do: ah-NEM-oh-nee.
Fleur
One of the most straightforward French flower names, Fleur is simply the French word for “flower.” It’s been in use as a given name since the 1970s but it has never ranked in the US top-1000 names for girls. Despite it lacking popularity here, Fleur is one of the most popular baby names for girls in Belgium and The Netherlands today. You will also encounter the name in England much more often than you do stateside.
Daphné
Daphné with the accent is the French form of a Greek name that means “laurel tree.” The name takes its meaning from Greek mythology. Daphne was a nymph who was saved from her creepy father, Apollo, a river god, transforming her into a laurel tree. Laurel trees or Bay trees are prized for their small white or pink blooms. Without the accent, the appellation is a top-500 choice in the US and it is an evergreen favorite in France.
Garance
Garance is a unisex French name that we love equally for girls and boys. The name describes the “madder flower” which is an intense shade of red. The flower itself is small and rounded and the color of the blooms is so vivid that Garance also names its unique shade of red. The name is a trendy one in France today but it has gone virtually unused in the US. You can change that!
Reine
Pronounced the same as “ren,” Reine names the reine-des-prés which is a wildflower commonly known as meadowsweet in English. Despite it being a name for a wildflower, this name actually has an orderly meaning in “queen.” The name was popular in France in the first half of the 20th century but it has since fallen from favor. Rescue this gorgeous appellation from the brink and introduce it to American ears.
Marguerite
The French form of Margaret, Marguerite means “pearl”. It is a classic French name for a variety of daisies. That makes this flower name one of the most subtle on this list. It’s a very chic and posh choice in France today but it was given to fewer than 100 girls in the US last year. We think this charmer deserves more from new parents today in the US.
Rose
Rose is a hugely popular name for girls in France today. Rose is derived from the Latin rosa, which referred to the flower. The French put their spin on it to give us the name and word, Rose, today. The name has always been a top-500 name in the US but its popularity in France is a new phenomenon. While Marguerite offers subtlety, Rose is very much straightforward.
Rosalie
Pretty Rosalie harkens back to the Rosalia festivals, the annual Roman ceremony of hanging garlands of roses on burial sites. Rosalia comes from Latin but the Rosalie spin is a French invention. Rosalie has long been popular in France and that’s pretty much true for the US as well. Today, it’s a top-200 option for baby girls. If Rose does not smell sweet enough for you, Rosalie will do the trick.
Liana
Liana has been quietly on the rise in the US since the 1970s. Today, it’s a top-500 choice for girls. Liana refers to a tropical, flowering vine. Thus, Liana means “to climb like a vine.” This delicate-sounding name with its gentle meaning could prove a winning combination for your baby girl.
Bettany
Bettany is a name of French and English origin that means “betony.” Betony is an herb, a flowering shrub that often features purple blooms. Bettany is the perfect alternative to the dated Bethany or the overly-used appellation Brittany. We love the idea of the nickname Bett for this one.
Rue
You can slice the name Rue in a couple of different ways. As a Latin name, it belongs to an herb that was prized by the Ancient Romans. In French, the name means “street” or “path.” It also is a word that means “regret” in English (from Latin as well). The appellation is one of the flower names that has an attractive single syllable that so many new parents are after today.
Lilou
Lilou is a charming, scarcely heard import. It is derived from Occitan, a language spoken in Provence, in the south of France, in which the suffix “ou” denotes a pet form — thus, Lilou is a short form of Liliane or its Occitan form Liliana or Liliano. Each of those longer names as well as the shorter one refer to the “lily.” This name is pronounced lee-loo, which is just adorable. The French think so too. It’s a top-20 name in the country today.
Iolanthe
Pronounced yo-lan-thuh, Iolanthe is a French flower name for girls that comes from Greek, meaning “violet flower.” It’s actually the French answer to Yolanda. Mildly popular in Europe today, Iolanthe has gone virtually unused in the US. We think it deserves a better shake!
Violette
If Iolanthe was too much of a mouthful to you, consider Violette, another French name that was derived from Greek that refers to the color and flower, “violet.” The name is pronounced with a long E-sound as vee-oh-let. Surprisingly, the name was popular in the US through the 1920s but fell out of the top 1000 by the 1930s. It finally staged a return here in 2020 landing back on the list for the first time in almost 100 years. With Violet also on the rise today, Violette would be a great alternative.
Suzanne
Suzanne is a French name from Hebrew, meaning “lily.” Suzanne is viewed as a retro pick along with its sister name, Susan. The name fell out of favor by the 1990s in the US. It’s been on the opposite trajectory in France where it is now seen as one of the most fashionable choices for baby girls today.
Capucine
Pronounced cap-oo-SEEN, Capucine is a chic French flower name that means”nasturtium.” It is one of the most stylish names in France and Belgium today. Although it is highly familiar to French speakers, most Americans have likely never encountered this treasured appellation.
Liliane
We mentioned this name in passing when discussing Lilou but we think it deserves some attention as well. This name means “lily” and is the French form of Lillian. Liliane is not as popular as Lilou is in France today and it has never been widely used in the US. It’s a more established choice than Lilou and makes up for the sophistication that Lilou lacks.
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French Flower Names for Boys
Lupin
Now, French flower names for boys. As we mentioned, Garance is a unisex name and we just wanted to put that here in case you scrolled past it to get to the boy names. Lupin is a French name from the Latin root, lupus, meaning “wolf.” Lupins, as plants, reward gardeners with candy-colored blooms.
Florimond
Florimond is another French name from Latin and its components translate to “flowery mountain.” The name was a mildly popular choice in the US in the earliest part of the 20th century but it goes unused these days. If you’d like to bring back this vintage delight, go for it!
Ferréol
Ferréol is an undiscovered possibility in the US today. The name belongs to a grape varietal and contains elements from Latin that mean “iron” and “a grape variety.” The name belongs to a wine region in France but most Americans have never heard of it.
Hyacinthe
Hyacinthe is a French name of Greek origin that once referred to a purple gem but it is more commonly used today to name a bulbous flowering plant with fragrant blooms. This name is a unisex option in Europe. In fact, the name was traditionally only given to boys for decades before flipping to being almost exclusively to girls, to the consideration that it is gender-neutral today.
Anicet
Anicet is a French name that is derived from both Greek and Latin naming traditions. Depending on how you look at it, the name means “invincible” or “anise.” That second botanical meaning is the one we are after as it refers to an herbaceous plant that is used as a flavoring across the Middle East and beyond. Anicet is rare even in its homeland of France. That makes this one a really unique and distinguished option.
Florestanis
Florestanis might seem like a name we just made up but it is, indeed, an established appellation in France. For instance, its cousin name, Florestan, names Florestan I who was Prince of Monaco between 1841 and 1856. It’s an ancient French name that was derived from Latin and those roots mean “a garden of flowers.” This name is a rare choice in France and is virtually unknown by most Americans.
Saule
Saule looks and sounds a whole lot like the Hebrew name Saul, but it is derived from different roots. This French name is the word for a “willow tree.” Willow trees have long been associated with the moon and with magic. Those qualities give this name an inspired feel. Now, this name is undoubtedly going to get mixed up with Saul for parents in the US but if you are fine with correcting folks, it could be a great option for your family.
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Ambroise
Ambroise is a French name from the Greek word, ambrosia. Ambrosia was considered the food of the Olympic gods and it means “immortal.” According to myth, ambrosia offered eternal life to anyone who consumed it. Ambroise is given to about 200 boys each year in France but in the US it is very rare. The name also belongs to a flowering plant with showy purple-veined and white flowers.
There you go! We hope you found a French flower name that is fitting for your baby. They are so wonderfully chic in every way.