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Baby names

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

Original poster

Botanical girls names - please vote!

109 replies

sunshineandmango · 05/05/2023 15:21

Hello all

DH and I have finally narrowed down our list to our two favourite names, which we both love. We’ve considered lots of names but botanical names do hold a personal significance for us so we’ve decided this is the way to go!

Lily
Flora

Which is your favourite and why? And how popular is Lily in your experience? It’s in the top 10 but I personally don’t know any!

Thank you 💐

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WhisperingAutistic · 05/05/2023 19:35

Lily
Flora is margarine

PickledScrump · 05/05/2023 19:28

@FayCarew im aware of that but certainly not popular where I am. Same with Olivia. The only one I know of is in her 30s. No children Olivia, but that’s been number 1 for years. Just because it’s in the top whatever doesn’t mean there’s an overrun

Original poster
sunshineandmango · 05/05/2023 19:23

@Pocketfullofdogtreats same association for us, thank you for the reassurance! I have a scientific background so the gut flora etc terminology I am familiar with but definitely not what I think of when I hear flora as a name - it’s flowers, literary figures and springtime for me. I wouldn’t want to subject her to bullying though if this is what easily springs to other peoples minds 😬

OP posts:
BowiesJumper · 05/05/2023 19:21

Flora definitely.

cheercaptain · 05/05/2023 19:20

Another vote for Lily

Pocketfullofdogtreats · 05/05/2023 19:12

Flora is the goddess of flowers for me. I wouldn't have thought of any negative associations. I knew a really cool hippy Flora back in the day so I'd go for that. But Lily is gorgeous too. Sorry, no help!

Burpcloth · 05/05/2023 19:10

Both lovely names. Lily is clearly statistically v popular, but I'm also another person who hasn't actually come across one.

ElmTree22 · 05/05/2023 19:03

Flora is our choice for our next child, if it's a girl.

Holidaywwyd · 05/05/2023 18:59

GoldenFarfalle · 05/05/2023 15:52

When I see the name Flora I always think of vaginal flora.. I prefer Lily.

Gut flora for me 😂

Sorry OP.

Daisypod · 05/05/2023 18:58

I'm afraid when I was growing up Flora was always used as an insult as the margarine tag line was 'spreads easily' sorry it was the 80's and not politically correct! So im afraid I just think of that when I hear the name.

almostwarm · 05/05/2023 18:56

I really like Flora.

Although Lily is a pleasant name.

I like flower names in general.

Okunevo · 05/05/2023 18:54

sunshineandmango · 05/05/2023 15:21

Hello all

DH and I have finally narrowed down our list to our two favourite names, which we both love. We’ve considered lots of names but botanical names do hold a personal significance for us so we’ve decided this is the way to go!

Lily
Flora

Which is your favourite and why? And how popular is Lily in your experience? It’s in the top 10 but I personally don’t know any!

Thank you 💐

Lily. Though it is far too common for my liking. Flora is a cow or margarine.

itsgettingweird · 05/05/2023 18:53

Another who prefers Fleur to Flora.

So Lily is my favourite from your choices.

I also like botanical names and always loved Fern and Willow too.

Catlady74 · 05/05/2023 18:51

I work in a primary school and Lily is popular. I’ve never had a Flora. I vote for Flora 💐

FayCarew · 05/05/2023 18:43

@PickledScrump ,it's been in the top 20 names for girls for about 20 years!
There are thousands registered every year and that's not including the Lilly, Lillie, Lily-Rose, Lily-May, Lily-Grace, Lilia, Lillian, Lilian, Liliana, Lili names

PickledScrump · 05/05/2023 17:24

My daughter is in secondary school and she has 1 Lily in her year and haven’t known of any others in the school so I don’t think it’s that popular. I love Flora, it’s lovely and I really dont think people will make the silly associations when meeting a real one.

Original poster
sunshineandmango · 05/05/2023 17:21

@coxesorangepippin Ivy is nice but we prefer the others, thanks for suggestion though

OP posts:
Original poster
sunshineandmango · 05/05/2023 15:58

@GoldenFarfalle vaginal flora?! Oh dear. I’m only just getting over the spread association but this is far worse 🙈 hoping that this isn’t what would pop into most peoples minds when they hear the name!

@orangeblosssom we’ve considered Fleur but definitely prefer Flora, thanks for the suggestion though

OP posts:
SiouxsieSiouxStiletto · 05/05/2023 15:58

Flora.

StephanieSuperpowers · 05/05/2023 15:55

I think Flora is quite sweet and less used, so I would prefer it.

Daffodilmorning · 05/05/2023 15:53

I have a toddler and baby and only know one Lily from groups etc. I do think Flora is a nicer name though (DS might have been a Flora if he was a girl so I’m biased).

Congratulations!

orangeblosssom · 05/05/2023 15:53

How about Fleur?

GoldenFarfalle · 05/05/2023 15:52

When I see the name Flora I always think of vaginal flora.. I prefer Lily.

TrueScrumptious · 05/05/2023 15:52

I like both but prefer Flora. Lily is a nice name but perhaps dated now. It’s a name of the ‘90s to me.