Lavender Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
The name Lavender originates from the Latin 'lavandula' and relates to its historical use in bathing and fragrances. It has evolved through Old French and Middle English forms. Lavender signifies a flowering plant known for its pleasant aroma. It does not have biblical relevance. Lavender became popular during the Middle Ages and is currently viewed as a symbol of relaxation and natural beauty.
The name Lavender is most popular in Oregon, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Girl name among the Generation Alpha generation in the West region. Recent 3-year trends show this Girl name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, Lavender has been stalled for female in MidWest, stalled for female in Northeast, too falling for female in South, too falling for female in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for female in MidWest, stalled for female in Northeast, stalled for female in South, stalled for female in West. Across generations, 'Lavender' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 12526th out of 12526 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 11362nd out of 19264 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 11172nd out of 27321 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 4491st out of 35406 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 1713th out of 30306 names. Discover how the name 'Lavender' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Lavender"
Pronunciation
/ˈlæv.ɪn.dər/
Origin
Latin
Etymology
The name 'Lavender' is derived from the Latin word 'lavandula', which refers to the flowering plant known for its aromatic properties. The term itself is related to the verb 'lavare', meaning 'to wash', as the plant was historically used in bathing and perfumes.
Meaning
a flowering plant known for its fragrance
Language Evolution
Latin: lavandula, Old French: lavendre, Middle English: lavender
Historical Usage
Lavender gained popularity in the Middle Ages when it was commonly used in cooking, medicine, and as a fragrance. It became associated with cleanliness and purification.
Variants & Derivatives
Lav, Lavy, Lavie
Modern Popularity & Image
Today, Lavender is often associated with tranquility, relaxation, and natural beauty. It is widely used in aromatherapy and is a popular choice for gardens.
Famous People
Lavender Brown - a character in the Harry Potter series, Lavender (surname) - associated with various notable figures
Explore More Lavender Name Visualizations
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Lavender"
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History of "Lavender"
"Lavender" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 12526th of 12526 | 5 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 11362nd of 19264 | 33 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 11172nd of 27321 | 78 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 4491st of 35406 | 478 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 1713th of 30306 | 1,504 |
Regional Popularity of "Lavender" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
Regional Popularity of "Lavender" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- |
100.00% 5164th/5164 |
87.19% 6376th/7313 |
56.14% 4190th/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
37.58% 1497th/3984 |
48.94% 2196th/4487 |
25.67% 1751st/6822 |
22.99% 1443rd/6276 |
State-by-State Popularity of "Lavender"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Lavender" across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.