Flora
/ˈflɔɹ.ə/
Flora derives from the Latin flos, meaning “flower.” In Roman mythology, Flora was the goddess of flowers and spring, honoured at the Floralia festival in late April and May.
The word flora also denotes the plant life of a given region, making it one of the botanical vocabulary words that doubled as a personal name.
The name entered widespread use through Roman religious tradition and later through British and Scottish naming culture.
What the name Flora means
In Scotland, Flora was associated with Flora MacDonald (1722-1790), the Jacobite heroine who helped Bonnie Prince Charlie escape after the Battle of Culloden.
Flora peaked in US SSA records at No. 68 in 1880 with 365 births. In 2024 it ranks No. 648 with 452 births—higher in raw count than any prior recorded year, confirming an active revival.
The character Flora Poste in Cold Comfort Farm and Flora in numerous Victorian novels kept the name in literary culture. The Disney character Flora in Sleeping Beauty (1959) gave it modern family-film recognition.
Two syllables—FLOR-uh—are clean and nature-fresh. The name carries an inherent botanical brightness that makes it feel both classical and green-naming-trend relevant.
Parents rediscovering Flora appreciate its Latin goddess roots, its Scottish heroine connection, and its place in the 19th-century botanical name revival alongside Lily, Rose, and Violet.
Related names include Florence (elaborated Latin form), Fleur (French for “flower”), Flo (short form), Florencia (Spanish), and the Italian Fiora—all drawing on the Latin floral root.
US popularity over time
Numerology and symbolism
Based on Pythagorean numerology — a traditional system linking name letters to numbers. Presented for cultural interest.
Famous people named Flora
Flora - similar names
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