Why are some nature names regarded insubstantial, and others not?

[persephoneplum]

I have a huge soft spot for the names Willow and Juniper, but I often get the comments that they're insubstantial.

So can anyone put a finger on why Lily and Rose are so well regarded, and the above regarded as wishy washy hippie names?

Also what are your thoughts on Dahlia in terms of substance? This is another favourite of mine.

Historical precedence?

I've often wondered why flowers are OK and vegetables and (most) trees not.

im partial to carrot

Willow and Juniper are lovely names, I wouldn't call them insubstantial but they are less mainstream and more hippy then Lily and Rose.

Dh wanted Willow for dd2 but I just couldn't agree.

What does 'insubstantial' mean?! Willow is fairly common, though, I know 2, anyway.

Dahlia - well if you are a plantswoman (as opposed to just a gardener) you have to pronounce it Daaaaahhhlia, as in Roald Dahl.

Wasn't there a Dahlia in PG Wodehouse, as well?

Umm, without substance, so as to say lacking strength. As in clause 2 of the following:

in⋅sub⋅stan⋅tial
  /ˌɪnsəbˈstæn&#64 3;əl/ Show Spelled Pronunciation [in-suhb-stan-shuhl] Show IPA

?adjective

1. not substantial or real; lacking substance: an insubstantial world of dreams.
2. not solid or firm; weak; flimsy.
3. not substantial in amount or size; inconsiderable: an insubstantial sum.

This is just an opinion however, and of course little Willows exist. I tend to like much stronger names.

Carrot is just fantastic custardo! Now why didn't I think of that? ;)

God knows what happened there, but apologies for the mess up there

I prefer Aubergine and Leek myself but ho hum!

I know a Saige, a Barley and a Clover!

ROFL!
I mean what makes a name insubstantial. It's arbitrary, isn't it? A willow could be common, tall, strong, and has the life force (you put a willow twig into the ground and it'll grow). Juniper is hardy as anything, grows in wild conditions.
There is nothing insubstantial about either.

In some cultures, trees have otherworldly links and come in male and female varieties that are not related to biology. Irish mythology is full of examples of this. I tend to see trees with such lore attached as strong, inspiring, mysterious. So I think of tree names as having gravitas, whereas imo a name like Poppy or Daisy seems a bit fluffy, more like a wild flower growing at the side of a field -- nothing wrong with that either, just more lightweight. I think Dahlia has an elegant sound. Hazel, Willow, Juniper are all nice names, imo.

I would always think 'weeping willow' tbh. Juniper is lovely though

Barley? Don't like that at all.

Don't mind Willow but dislike Juniper - it sounds like a character in a gothic romance (not that there's anything wrong with gothic romances).

My favourites are Robin for a boy (not for a girl though) and probably Violet for a girl (though I have a Daisy).

Dahlia sounds a bit 1970s cullotte-wearing to me - not necessarily a bad thing!

I did American Summer Camp in '02 and two campers, sisters, were cinnamon and ginger. Poor little mites.

Quote "Prunerz Fri 09-Oct-09 08:38:11 Add a message | Report post | Contact poster

ROFL!
I mean what makes a name insubstantial. It's arbitrary, isn't it? A willow could be common, tall, strong, and has the life force (you put a willow twig into the ground and it'll grow). Juniper is hardy as anything, grows in wild conditions."

arbitrary! love it! (like arbre, tree, geddit?)

sorry

Rowan works for a girl or boy.
Daisy's pretty for a blonde.
I love Rose and Lily and Iris is nice too.
and Robin, yep, lovely.

I just think Willow is less well-established. I think it's a nice name, with good connotations. Juniper is a bit "fussy"

Dahlia - not sure - Dahlias are not my favourite flower.

I like Iris too.

or Avocado for a boy

I think Lily is a bit insubstantial to be honest. Along with Lila, Leila, Ella, Lola...

But Anna, Leah, Emma - they pass my substantialness test! It might not be logical. It's just a feeling.

I know a family where the names are
Camilla (for Camelia)
Fleur
Sorrel and Rowan

No-one thinks they are insubstansial

I know of a Spanish Camellia and I love that. It doesn't rhyme with Amelia. It's not Cameelia it's CamELLya. love that one too.

My friend has just named his ds River - I was a bit at first but I love it now. It really suits him!

Brockleybelle, as bad as Ginger is at least it wasn't Ginger with a J like that Duggar family! one of theirs is a Jinger... number 21 is Jurex.

I think they're probably running out of names beginning with J, in all fairness.

I love Forest for a boy too. Wouldn't match either of my other dc's names though, so it's out, should the impossible happen and I have another baby!

While I love Dahlia it does make me think of Bertie Wooster's Aunt Dahlia

Dahlia makes me think of an Aussie accent for some reason- and then I see Dame Edna, and it's all over for me.

I am always wary of any name that makes people say "Oh, that's pretty"

Adult women don't want one of the first impressions anyone has of them to be "Oh, that's pretty"

Yes, know what you mean Seeker. I would as an adult prefer to be Juliet than Julia for example. Not knocking either name, I do like them both actually, it's just an example of what I mean. And I've felt like that for at least 15 years now... Names with too much lululala going on aren't great for a woman iyswim.