Can I, as a Feminist, call my daughter Violet?

[Laetitia1]

After many a year of adoring botanical names for girls, it suddenly dawned on me (and I hate myself for this, so do forgive me) that choosing a flower name is perhaps not the most feminist thing to do, for the reason that flowers are above all valued for their appearance and fragrance and are ultimately useless. Then I got all cross at the idea that it is only females who are given flower names, presumably because males are not prized above all for their aesthetic qualities. I am Most Miffed that I have had this thought, as it has quite put me off all my girls' names. I have also put myself off names with an 'ee' -sounding ending for the reason that it is the way of signalling the diminutive in English, which, once again, does not sit well with my feminist ruminations. Am I insane?

Flowers are the reproductive organs of plants, which give oxygen and therefore life to the world, so not useless.

I appreciate they are valued for their fleeting beauty though.

As a feminist myself, I am not a massive fan of frilly ornamental girls' names. DD has a one syllable, non frilly name. Having said that, Emmeline, Christabel and Millicent were not held back by frilly names.

For what it's worthy, Violet is my favourite of the flower names, and yes, purple was the suffragette's lead colour. Plus The Color Purple would be a great present for a Violet.

I suppose one feminist conclusion might be a unisex name?! Jude, Alex, Ashley...?

Flowers are amazing-a love of gardening and nature is a positive thing and certainly not lilly-livered. As well as being beautiful and interesting they bring a lot of happiness to people. (I wanted to be a botanist as a kid, wish I had been. I'd defo use a flower name).
Don't over analyse or you will become bonkers!!

I agree with Maggie - why would you restrict yourself just because you are fighting against restriction of females? Violet is a great name, and not particularly frilly. Why not look at it as females CAN be given a flower name (it's not automatic or compulsory), but for males the beautiful name Rose is not really an option, IYSWIM?

I think you should call her william. Sorted.

Way over thinking your pfb.

Way over thinking.

Rowan is a unisex plant name. I'm sure there's others.

I'm not sure about the flower thing, but I definitely agree with you about names with soft "ee" endings, because of that association with diminutives in English. All my hypothetical girl names ended with consonants

It's a strong flower name though isn't it? Not like Rose or Daisy, even though I personally quite like them too.

I know what you mean about cutesie feminine names. My eldest dd could never have lived with a girly name.

Brick is a nice strong and useful name.
Brick Shoehorn Tyreiron.

at Brick!

at Fanny Lowerwage

The only Violet I know is in ds2s class and is a Very Fierce and Fantastic Young Woman, who takes no nonsense from anyone.

There are some male botanical/nature names though - Rowan, Linden, Thyme, Leif etc.

Apparently Celyn is Holly in Welsh and is used as a boys name.

I think all the plant names became widely used in the late Victorian era which I like the history of for some reason (dd1 has a plant name and dd2 has a plant middle name).

Have never questioned it re feminism though!

Yes, there are lots of male botanical names. I know two little boys called Moss.

Violet is a great name. Go for it. I want some of that violet liqueur!

I wouldn't, as a feminist I'm a bit wary of naming my girls something is a bit frilly or flowery or cutesy. But I don't think it's necessarily a problem - I know quite a few people with girls and boys all called "nature" names - so if you're happy to call a boy Rowan, say, or Logan, then you can call a girl Violet.

Viviennemary - it tastes like parma violets. They were doing it at my local with Prosecco and a sprig of mint. I think it's my new favourite drink now.

But then surely you are complicit in agreeing that anything frilly / flowery / feminine is synonymous with weakness?

Why should women have to take on "male" characteristics to be considered strong or worthy of respect?

(Rather like black women in the US army having to straigten their hair and put it in a bun in order to be considered disciplined and efficient. )

Violet is a bloody fabulous name.

Violet is one letter away from 'violent'. Hardly that weak and frilly.

And I agree that there's nothing wrong with things being feminine, the world certainly doesn't need to become more masculine.

The colour violet is made by mixing pink and blue. The perfect balance of masculine and feminine.

Either that or call her Orange.

Gosh I didn't think there was such thing as a feminist name! If think it would be better to have a feminine name ?

Thanks Maggie!

Agree with ZeroSomeGameThingy. Why are feminine characteristics weak and negative? Flowers are not useless and females certainly aren't.

Seriously it's not fair to use your child as a social experiment, especially when I doubt very much that you are about to start adhering to its principles and changing your name for instance. It's almost like reverse sexism-by your thinking, things which society see as feminine are bad. You cannot change the world with this hair brained idea. There are other ways to challenge gender stereotypes and sexism.

Violet Trefusis!

Also, some of the most popular boy names at the moment end in ee sounds - Harry, Alfie, Archie, Freddie and are all pretty 'cutesy' imo. Violet sounds much stronger.

I think Violet is a lovely, strong, firm name and not a bit cutesy!

Violet is lovely. Regarding op's initially comments my first thought was William Morris's floral designs. These were not twee nostalgia or associated with constructs of femininity but rather about showing the pulsing vitality of nature and the urge to overcome the monotony of industrialised life. From this pov flowers are associated with strength and hope, positive qualities for a baby girl.