Winter Botanicals: 90 Nature Names for a Winter Baby

Botanical names are wildly popular with new parents at the moment: beloved for their fresh, natural, summery feel. But for babies born in the winter months, seasonal options can — like winter blooms — feel rather few and far between.

Of course, there’s nothing wrong with calling your December baby Rowan or Rose, but (as a recent survey of British parents shows) we like the idea of giving winter-born children a name which somehow ties in to the season. It’s why classic Christmas-themed choices like Holly and Ivy shoot up the popularity charts in December: the former ranked #52 overall last year, but #8 in the last month of the year. That’s a huge leap!

But if you’re looking for fresh inspiration for a baby born during the winter months (technically, from late December to early March), then check out this master list of botanical names: from flowers to fruits and vegetables; from berries to herbs and spices — all associated with the winter season.

Aconite	Alyssum	Anise
Azara	Bay	Birch
Bellis	Berry	Blossom

The pretty seed pods of star anise have a powerful aniseed flavour, making it a key ingredient in many festive recipes.

Buckthorn	Bud	Calendula
Camellia	Carnation	Cassia
Castanea	Catkin	Cherry

Japanese cherry blossoms, or “sakura“, typically bloom in the spring — but there are a few varieties that produce beautiful pink and white blossoms at either end of the winter season, too.

Chrysanthemum	Cinnamon	Clematis
Clementine	Clove	Crocus
Cyclamen	Daffodil	Daisy

Early-blooming crocuses and irises can peep through the snow as early as February.

Daphne	Diane	Erica
Evergreen	Fir	Firethorn
Forsythia	Garland	Gem

Firethorn, or pyracantha, is an evergreen shrub which blooms white in late spring and is covered with vibrant red and orange berries throughout the winter season.

Ginger	Glory	Hawthorn
Hazel	Heath	Heather
Hellebore	Holly	Honeysuckle

Witch hazel is an extremely hardy winter-flowering shrub with a scent as bewitching as its spooky appearance (and name!) Its natural healing and purifying properties mean that it’s often used in cosmetics.

Hyacinth	Ilex	Iris
Ivy	Jasmine	Jelena
Kale	Laurel	Mahonia

Leafy greens like kale and cavolo nero are a mainstay of any vegetable garden in winter — and they’re super healthy, too!

Marron	Mistletoe	Narcissus
Nemesia	Nutmeg	Osier
Pansy	Pearl	Perovskia

An archetypal seasonal plant, mistletoe features in many a winter tradition: lovers kiss under bunches of it at Christmastime, and it’s also associated with ancient Druidic ritual around the winter solstice.

Persimmon	Pine	Poinsettia
Poppy	Primrose	Primula
Quince	Red	Rosemary

The poinsettia is another plant closely associated with Christmas. Its star-shaped leaves are supposed to symbolise the Star of Bethlehem, and its deep red colour the blood of Jesus. National Poinsettia Day in the US is 12th December.

Ruby	Sage	Sakura
Salix	Scarlet	Scilla
Snapdragon	Snowdrop	Star

Star-shaped scilla flowers are a beautiful bright blue and bloom in late winter and early spring, producing carpets of colour in shady spots and woodlands.

Thyme	Viburnum	Viola
Virginia	Willow	Wintergreen
Wintersweet	Wreath	Yew

Sweet-smelling wintersweet produces bright yellow flowers all through the winter season, from November until March. It is used in perfumes and in traditional Chinese medicine.

What would you name a winter-born baby from this list? I’d have to go with Bay for a boy and Primrose for a girl!