20+ Flower Names in English with Their Characteristics
Flower Names in English! In this lesson we will talk about flower names in English. We will learn the most common and interesting ways to name them, as well as which language belongs to each group of names. In addition, we will learn some useful phrases that contain flower names.
English has a rich vocabulary to identify flowers. Most of its words for flowers derive from Greek, Latin, or French roots. There are also some original English words that have been used since the Middle Ages.
List of Flower Names in Detail
Rose
It is a very beautiful flower and has great importance in English. Many flower names have been formed from it. It is one of the most common flowers in the world, and it is used to symbolize many things.
The rose has two meanings. On the one hand, it means a pink flower that comes from old roses, but on the other hand, it can mean anything that is similar or related to beauty.
Sunflower
It is an interesting flower. Its name comes from the fact that it always follows the sun during the day. This flower has a special significance in English culture because of Shakespeare’s classic play “Anthony and Cleopatra.”
Gladiolus
This beautiful flower’s name derives from Latin Gladius, which means sword. It describes this flower’s long and sharp leaves.
Hyacinth
This flower’s name comes from Greek and means the plant of spring, because its blossoming starts in March or April. It is closely related to Greek mythology, as it alludes to a beautiful young man who was killed by a god to be reborn as this flower.
Water lily
This flower’s name describes it very well, as its petals grow on water. This flower is native to the Americas and was mainly used as a source of food for the indigenous population. In Europe, it became an ornamental plant that represents purity and innocence.
Crocus
In English, this is a variant of “crocuses,” which are valued flowers that are native to Asia. This flower is used in English heraldry, with its beautiful colors that represent different things.
Daffodil
It is a type of narcissus and has been one of the most popular flowers in Europe since Victorian times because it represents love for oneself. In Greek mythology, Daphne was a nymph that got turned into one.
Lily
It is the most famous of all English flower names, and it comes from Latin. It represents beauty, innocence, purity, virginity, and prosperity. In Greek mythology, it was sacred to Hera (Juno). Its negative meaning is related to death and destruction because in Christian cultures it is associated with the Virgin Mary’s death.
Daisy
This flower’s name comes from Old English and means “day’s eye.” It is also used in heraldry, where it carries positive meanings that depend on its colors. Other languages use this flower to represent sleep or blindness.
Orchid
It is a type of plant that has become an ornamental plant in Europe and the United States. Its name comes from Greek and means testicles, because it looked like them to ancient Greeks.
Rosemary
This flower is closely related to love and remembrance. It was used by brides for this reason, as well as its fragrance that lasts a long time. Its name comes from Latin and means “dew of the sea.”
Pansy
It is native to Europe, Asia, and North America. It comes from French Pensee, which means thought. Other languages use it to name the same flower because its color looks like a human face.
Gladiolus
This is a beautiful flower that goes back to ancient Rome, where its name means sword. These flowers are mainly used for decoration because of their beauty and size.
Larkspur
It is a small but delicate flower native to the Mediterranean Sea basin. It comes from Latin Delphinium, which means dolphin, because it resembles one in shape. In English, it means bravery.
Hyacinth
It is very popular in English culture, and its name comes from Greek Hyakinthos, which means plant of spring (hyacinthus orientalis). Its color varies depending on the language. For example, in Persian it is red; in Arabic it’s blue; and in Greek, it is yellow.
Water lily
It is a very popular flower in the Americas for its richness of nectar, which attracts bees and birds. It comes from Nahuatl (Aztec language). Its name means “crown of flowers.”
Crocus
This beautiful flower was widely known to ancient Greeks and Romans, who valued it for its beauty and symbolism. The stigmas were used in cooking because they tasted sweet, while the flowers had a scent similar to saffron.
Daisy
It is one of the most widely known English flower names because it symbolizes innocence and purity. It comes from Old English means day’s eye, due to their closed petals that open at night.
Lily
It is the most popular flower of all English names, and it comes from Latin. It means beauty, innocence, purity, virginity, and prosperity. Other languages use it to name this flower because its color varies depending on where it’s found.
Pansy
This flower was named after the thoughts of a lover because it resembled them. In English, Pensee means thought. Some cultures use this flower to symbolize springtime and youthfulness.
Gladiolus
This beautiful flower has origins in ancient Rome, where its name means sword. It is mainly used for decoration because of its size and beauty. This plant contains poison, so it is not recommended for consumption.
Hyacinth
This flower has very deep roots in English culture because of its symbolism. It means bravery in English, and the Romans used this plant to make a potion that increased mental abilities. Greeks said the scent of this flower helped forget your problems.
Water lily
This attractive flower has its origins in South and Central America. It’s the national flower of Venezuela and symbolizes purity and good luck. Its name comes from Nahuatl (Aztec language), which means crown of flowers.
Tulip
It’s a very popular English flower name. It comes from Turkish and means turban, since it resembled this to Turks. In other languages it is also known for its symbolism of strength and nobility. This beautiful flower has origins in Turkey, where its name means turban because it looks like one.
Pansy
This flower was named after the thoughts of a lover because it resembled them in shape. In English, Pensee means thought. Other cultures use this flower to symbolize springtime and youthfulness.
Daisy
It is one of the most widely known English flower names because it symbolizes innocence and purity. It comes from Old English means day’s eye, due to their closed petals that open at night.
Snowdrop
It is a very delicate flower that comes from the mountains of Central and Eastern Europe. It is widely known as Galanthus, which means milk flower in Greek. Other cultures use this flower to symbolize hope and regeneration after hard times.
Rose
This beautiful flower has many meanings in many different languages and cultures because its symbolism changes depending on where it is found. In English, of course, means love and passion for a person or something.
Daffodil
This plant is widely known in English culture because of its symbolism. It means tears of the sun, and it was also considered a symbol of rebirth after winter’s end. This flower comes from ancient Greek mythology, where its name (Narcissus) means self-love and pride.
Hyacinth
This beautiful plant has origins in ancient Rome, where its name means sword. It is mainly used for decoration because of its size and beauty. This plant contains poison, so it is not recommended for consumption.
Snowdrop
It is a very delicate flower that comes from the mountains of Central and Eastern Europe. It’s widely known as Galanthus, which means milk flower in Greek. Other cultures use this flower to symbolize hope and regeneration after hard times.
Hyacinth
This beautiful plant has origins in ancient Rome, where its name means sword. It is mainly used for decoration because of its size and beauty. This plant contains poison, so it is not recommended for consumption.
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Simi
Meet Simeron Khan, an experienced ESL teacher with a passion for guiding students towards fluency in English. With a knack for making even the most complex grammar rules accessible and enjoyable, Simeron has helped countless learners achieve their language goals.