Flower name with our surname

[Ginfilledcats]

Our surname is Gardiner, we really like the name Violet or Iris, but are these too obviously flowers and sound daft with our surname?
my husband had no idea either were flowers and was surprised when I pointed it out. He thinks most people will associate Violet with the colour rather than a flower and not notice the connection.
also slightly concerned Violet is too close to violent but I admit that might be me just being daft!

if both are a no with our surname, any suggestions on names we might like? DD1 is Tabitha Jean. On our list are:
Eloise
Eliza
Felicity
Iris
Ottillie
Ophelia
Penelope
Violet

many thanks xxxx

If your surname were Redding or any other name with a colour in it, then the first name Violet would suggest a colour.

But with the surname Gardner I would immediately think of the flower, sorry. Same goes for Iris, Ivy, Daisy, and even Flora or Florence.

I like Penelope and Eliza from your list.

Suggestions:
Isla Ophelia
Evelyn Iris
Leonora Violet
Jocelyn Iris
Keziah Ivy

I would avoid any botanical names with your surname.

We had Tabitha on our girls list and other names we liked were:

Beatrix
Cordelia
Artemis
Sylvia (which has a botanical meaning but not so obvious)
Aurelia

Thanks all, pretty much unanimous that Violet (and any flowery name) is a bad move. I would never have gone for an obvious flower name such as Rose (though I’m sure there is an aunt somewhere named that, but think she married in!)

some lovely suggestions too.

i love Ophelia more now seeing it suggested a lot, and Eliza is up there too!! Is Ophelia getting quite common do you think? I like that Tabitha isn’t often heard but everyone knows it if you know what I mean.

others suggested that I love are Sylvia, Aurelia.

DH has just suggested (well not right now as it’s 4am and only one of us is awake, thanks pregnancy insomnia) Margot. Any thoughts?

thanks so much for your input and kind comments x

Eliza. I would avoid a flower name with your surname.

Margot seems popular on MN but I always think of the Penelope Keith character in The Good Life (snobby next door neighbour).

Margot Gardiner is a name that has too many G sounds. It's quite clunky.

No flower names. Viola is also a flower, so doesn’t substitute for Violet.
Margot is too clunky with your surname.
Eliza is good. So is Sylvia.
Not keen on Ophelia (bad associations) or Ottillie (I’m not sure that’s even spelled correctly).
Matilda?

Rose Gardiner

I think it’s fine but some might notice the connection.

other suggestions Tabitha and

florence
jemima
flora
ivy
aurelia
clementine
olive
daphne
mabel
harriet
cora
nancy
clara
matilda
juliet
xanthe

I know a few have said Eliza but with my dyslexic head on I read it As here lies the Gardner sorry!

Agree that Violet with anything which sounds like a person (Gardener, Baker and .... truly awful.... Butcher) isn't great.

Actually I think Iris is fine and runs nicely. Not a massive fan of Margot and think the repeated "g" sound is harsh.

Not Ophelia .... connotations of feeling your gardener......!

I quite like
Holly
Poppy
Daisy
Willow

I have nothing to add that hasn't already been said (i.e. Violet => violent, obvious flower names are too botanical with your surname) but I'm just placemarking to show DH because there are SO MANY beautiful names suggested on this thread 😊

Felicity is lovely.

Yes, and it flows really well.

Eloise Gardiner is a beautiful name! Wish it was mine.

Personally I think 3 or 4 syllables is better with Gardiner. I don't think Margot Gardiner works as well as some of the others. Felicity or Penelope Gardiner are both lovely but do sound like someone in their 60s presenting Radio 4. That's not a criticism 😀

Eloise
But I would say that, wouldn't I.

Violet definitely sounded like Violent Gardiner in my head.
I don't think Margot Gardiner flows very well.

Eloise Gardiner sounds lovely and is my favourite on your list.

Love Eloise and Sylvie Gardiner

I like Penelope, Felicity and Verity

also Allegra, Marianne, Meredith

Its a shame because violet is a lovely name but yeah 'flower' gardiner is a really silly name

Eloise and Eliza are beautiful and go with you surnae and other girls name

Oh-feel-ya Gardiner isn't great imo.

What about Willow Gardiner? Less obviously “garden” related to other children than e.g Rose, Daisy, Poppy etc

This made me laugh but yes I agree. Just sounds very twee and like a character in a victorian children's book.

All your other names are lovely, and viola gardiner sounds great if that's an option?

Jonquille, its a colour of daffadil I think.