Flora is a name of Latin origin and its meaning is "flower". It has been popular throughout history, especially among the Romans who often named their daughters after flowers or plants as a symbol of beauty and fertility.
The name Flora was particularly significant in ancient Rome where it was associated with the goddess of spring, Flora. According to Roman mythology, Flora was responsible for bringing about the blossoming of flowers each year and she was celebrated annually during the festival of Floralia.
Throughout the centuries, many notable figures have borne the name Flora. One of the most famous was Saint Flora, a martyr from Carthage who was executed in the 3rd century AD. Her feast day is celebrated on December 5th by the Catholic Church.
In literature and art, Flora has also been a popular choice for characters. The Brontë sisters named one of their main characters Flora in "The Tenant of Wildfell Hall" and in Charles Dickens' novel "Little Dorrit", Flora Finching is a prominent character.
Today, Flora remains a beautiful and timeless name with its roots deeply ingrained in history and mythology. Its meaning as the flower is fitting for any girl named after it, evoking images of beauty, growth and renewal.
The name Flora has been a consistent yet not overwhelming choice for parents in the United States over the past century. Between 1880 and 1960, there were a total of 172 babies named Flora born each year.
Looking at the statistics year by year, we can see that the popularity of the name Flora has fluctuated over time. The years with the highest number of births were 1923 and 1930, with 14 and 10 births respectively. These peaks suggest that there may have been a fashion for this name at these particular times.
However, it is important to note that even in the peak years, Flora was not one of the most popular names. The highest number of babies named Flora born in a single year was only 14, which represents just a small fraction of the total births in the United States during that time period.
On the other hand, there were some years where Flora was barely used as a baby name at all. Between 1905 and 1922, for example, there were only five or six babies named Flora born each year on average.
Despite these fluctuations, it is clear that Flora has been a steady choice for parents over the long term. The consistent number of births each year suggests that this name may have been passed down through generations within certain families or communities.
Overall, while Flora may not have been one of the most popular names in the United States during this time period, it did have a devoted following among parents who chose to give their daughters this classic and distinctive name.