Two floral favorites face off in an epic battle between the tame and timeless Rose and the modernly classic Lily. Both names have captured parents’ eyes, both as middle names, nicknames, and first names for their little girls, so it’s going to be a tight race for first. This all comes down to my opinions and naming criteria, so if one of your favorites doesn’t get the crown, that doesn’t mean that the name is a bad choice. It just means that the other name’s qualities appeal more to my preferences. And with that out of the way, let’s get the stats on these two botanical baby names!
Rose
Popularity in 2018: #123
Origin: Latin
Pros: One of the qualities many parents try to avoid when finding a name is a fleeting trend or a name that will sound ridiculous on a teenager or older woman, and that is something that Rose contradicts entirely. In 100 years of data, Rose stays above the 400 range, but never cracks the top 20. For a name to remain in one place for so long is astounding, and it puts Rose firmly in the classic category. When a name doesn’t rise and fall dramatically over the years, it’s easier for the name to age well. We may not be able to imagine a 40 year old woman called Poppy now, but a few decades ago, some parents couldn’t picture a toddler called Candy ever suiting her name in her 40s and 50s. However, because Rose already belongs to so many generations of women, it ages seamlessly, and will suit a daughter at any age, unlike a name that is unique to one generation.
Another big plus for Rose regarding her popularity is how her steady sweet spot status keeps her feeling familiar, but not trendy or overdone. With lots of parents searching for names that aren’t too out there, but won’t be the most common name in class, Rose perfectly satisfies. Not only does she fit common popularity needs, she also comes with the friendly nickname Rosie in case your spunky little girl wants a cutesy nickname for her first few years. On top of Rose suiting modern day trends, especially in regards to popularity, Rosie also fits in with the stylish English nickname names like Evie, Archie, and Alfie that are starting to gain momentum in the US as well.
Cons: Tell a group of women you’ve named your daughter Rose, and about half of them will say “That’s my middle name!” Well, not exactly. But Rose has indeed earned herself a reputation for being a filler middle name, the go-to middle name for girls. Infamous for being frequently chosen for the middle spot, Rose has been ruined for some by the overuse of this Latin flower name. The simple, one-syllable appellation appeals to the masses as a middle name. But as a first name, Rose hasn’t had quite as much luck, leaving her in the middle name territory for many expecting parents.
Flower names have always been an integral part of girl baby names, and 2020 is no exception. However, longer, more elaborate flower names like Violet and Magnolia are dominating botanical trends recently, a category that simple, stately Rose doesn’t fit in. Daisy, Poppy, and other cutesy flower names are also at the front of many parents’ minds at the moment, and the more refined and serious Rose doesn’t fit with that trend either. Rose just doesn’t feel as current, and opposes the flower name trends of today, grouping her with other popular middle name choices like Marie and Grace, which aren’t appealing as much in the first name spot in 2020.
Lily
Popularity in 2018: #31
Origin: English
Pros: Lily is one of the many modern classics, or names that have been decently used in past decades, but have exploded in popularity recently. Some examples include Henry, Owen, Sophia, and Lucy. With elements of the vintage Lillian, but an on-trend -ley ending, Lily blends two styles together to make a fresh but familiar name. Not only does Lily hit both vintage and modern notes, her roots as a name stemming from a flower (puns intended) are seen as a symbol of innocence and purity, a lovely meaning for your little girl. Characters with the name Lily in books and movies are often wholesome, motherly figures, like Lily Potter and Lily Owens, from Harry Potter and The Secret Life Of Bees. Celebrities are also quick to bestow this beloved botanical treasure on their baby girls, with some of the most notable celebabies being Lily Jane Collins, the daughter of musician Phil Collins, and Lily Anne O’Donnell, daughter of actor Chris O’Donnell. With all of these factors going for her, she’s going to be hard to beat.
Cons: Lily definitely doesn’t have the classic, unwavering popularity her competitor possesses. Flickering in and out of the top 1000 all throughout the 60s and 70s, Lily then surged towards the top 20 until she peaked at #15 in 2011, making her not the freshest choice of the up-and-coming flower names having a resurgence this year. Because her popularity only really surged in the 2000s, most of the Lilys are under the age of 20, making a full grown Lily a little hard to see for some. Lilly, Lillie, Lillian, Lilian, Liliana, Lilianna, Lillianna, Lilliana, and Lilyana all rank in the top 1000. Many of those elaborated or full forms of Lily use Lily as a nickname on a daily basis, and that’s not including Elizabeth, Lilith, or Lilia. With Lily already ranking so high, her popularity as a nickname and alternative spellings surely make her much more popular as alternative spellings only look different when spelled out, and not when said, and all of the Lillians I know are strictly Lily. Lily is already pushing the envelope in terms of how popular many modern parents are willing to go, and the possibility of even more Lilys than there appear may be off-putting for some.
It was a tight competition, thanks to the many appealing qualities of both floral favorites. But I think, once measuring each name up against my personal criteria, that Rose is the better option. I try to avoid more popular names, and I love that Rose stands apart from other names in the same category. However, if Lily is your favorite, I can completely see the charm of this sweet blend of styles and appealing -ley ending. If you disagree, you can always let me know by submitting my form or commenting down below, but I hope I did these two gems justice!
Sincerely,
~Delphina Moon
Do you agree with my final verdict? Are nature names not your style? Then submit my form with two names of the same style or with similar sounds to see if your favorite prevails!