Purple names are in vogue and offer a range of unique and fascinating options. The color purple is prevalent in nature, from amethysts to lavender, and carries symbolic meanings of spirituality, royalty, and power in different cultures.
To help you find a name with significance and symbolism, we’ve compiled a list of extraordinary purple names. Take a stroll through our vineyard of names and pick the perfect one for your baby boy or girl. Whether you’re looking for a name inspired by purple gemstones or flowers, our list is sure to inspire you. So grab a basket and explore the beauty of these purple names.
Table of Contents
- 50 Cute Purple Names for Boys and Girls
- Amethyst
- Aster
- Bellflower
- Bíborka
- Bora
- Calfuray
- Clematis
- Dhumra
- Fialová
- Fuchsia
- Hadley
- Heather
- Heliotrope
- Hyacinth
- Indigo
- Iolanthe
- Ione
- Khuzama
- Kikyo
- Kovidar
- Lavender
- Lila
- Lilac
- Magenta
- Mauve
- Mazarine
- Morado
- Murasaki
- Petunia
- Phoenix
- Plum
- Porfirio
- Roxo
- Shigure
- Shion
- Shiryu
- Shizuki
- Sigal
- Slate
- Sugilite
- Sumire
- Temenuzhka
- Tyrian
- Umeko
- Viola
- Violet
- Violeta
- Wisteria
- Yolanda
- Yukari
50 Cute Purple Names for Boys and Girls
Paint a picture to last a lifetime with these 50 pretty names that mean purple.
Amethyst
Amethyst comes from Amethystos, which consists of Greek elements, “a” meaning “not” and “methystos” meaning “intoxicated.” Amethyst is a gemstone name that exudes refinement, but its usage is historically uncommon. Pop culture has thrust this glistening purple quartz into the limelight. Characters called Amethyst have graced screens in anime like Houseki no Kuni and cartoons like Steven Universe.
Aster
Aster is a primarily violet perennial flower, a favorite of monarch butterflies. They get their name from the shape of the flower head, which resembles a star. In Greek mythology, Astrea, the “star-maiden,” once cried for lack of stars in the sky. Her tears fell to Earth, becoming aster flowers. Catch a falling star with this celestial purple pick.
Bellflower
Bellflower is an English form of the rare French surname Bellefleur. It refers to a deep purple-blue bell-shaped flower with the scientific name campanula, Latin for “little bell.” Unlike other girl names that mean purple, Bellflower gives you the additional benefit of being an obvious floral choice. You can shorten it to Bell, Bella, or even the Bambiesque Flower.
Bíborka
Bíborka stems from the Hungarian “bíbor,” meaning “purple.” This Hungarian word is not heard often in the west, if at all. Its usage is limited to Romania and Hungary, where it remains fairly popular. Bíborka lets you get experimental by looking outside the usual options. Playful nicknames include Bíbí and Bíbo.
Bora
In Korean and Albanian, Bora is feminine and means “purple” and “snow,” respectively. In Turkish, Bora is masculine and means “strong wind” or “squall.” Bora is a great option for parents who appreciate variety. And with only four letters, it’s easy to write and even remember. Try the sturdy-sounding Bora for a tough little boy or girl.
Calfuray
Calfuray is certainly unique. From Hispanicized Mapuche, its elements are “kallfü” meaning “purple-blue,” and “rayen” meaning “flower.” Calfuray is a purple floral epithet allowing parents to celebrate their baby’s heritage. For others, it could be a respectful nod to a culture they appreciate. Why not be one of the rare few to use Calfuray for your little flower?
Clematis
Clematis is from the Greek word “clēmatís” meaning “climbing plant,” which itself stems from “klema” meaning “twig,” “tendril,” or “branch.” The plant genus Clematis comprises primarily purple and blue flowers of the buttercup family — mainly originating in China and Japan. With its unusual look and feel, Clematis might be better relegated to middle name status.
Dhumra
Dhumra is of Hindu Sanskrit origin and signifies the grayish-purple color of smoke. In Hindu teachings, Dhumra was an attendant of Skanda, a war deity in the court of Indra. It’s extremely rare, with just a handful of bearers limited to India. If you’re searching for unique boy names that mean purple, put Dhumra on your list.
Fialová
Fancy and feminine, Fialová is one of the rarest girl names that mean purple on our list. This Czech option seems to be a popular last name for actresses, with bearers including Anna Fialová, Zuzana Fialová, and Květa Fialová. If you’re having a boy and want something similar, Fiala is the masculine variant.
Fuchsia
The Fuchsia is a genus of flowering plants named after the German botanist Leonhart Fuchs, whose surname means “fox.” This flower has bright red sepals and purple petals. Most people know fuchsia as a striking pinkish-purple color, making this moniker stand out in more ways than one. Why should celebrities have all the fun with the trendy Fuchsia?
Hadley
Hadley comes from the Old English elements “hǣþ” meaning “heath” or “heather,” and “leah,” meaning “meadow,” “woodland,” or “clearing.” In England and Wales, Hadley is more popular for boys, ranking 461st in 2021. Meanwhile, Hadlee is also fairly popular in the U.S. for girls at 747th in 2021. Overall, everyone can agree that Hadley is a perfect purple choice.
Heather
Heather stems from the word “heath,” which comes from Old English “hather.” This classic epithet conjures scenes of European moors carpeted in light purple. It may have lost some traction in places like Scotland and Canada, but Heather will always be evergreen, even if it doesn’t make some charts.
Heliotrope
Heliotrope comprises Greek “hḗlios,” meaning “sun,” and “trépein,” meaning “to turn,” and refers to a vivid purple flowering plant. This name came about due to the belief and myth that heliotrope flowers always turned to face the sun. Besides the plant, Heliotrope is a pink-purple color inspired by the flower and a mineral aggregate called bloodstone.
Hyacinth
Originally from the Greek, Hyaʹkinthos, Hyacinth refers to the fragrant perennial flower and a deep blue semi-precious stone — possibly a sapphire. In Greek myth, Hyacinthus was a youth of astounding beauty, beloved by the god Apollo. When he died, a flower grew from the tears Apollo shed. To this day, Hyacinth is equated with the tragic tale.
Indigo
Although Indigo is gender-neutral, it’s more popular for girls. Its etymology stems from the Greek “Indikon,” meaning “from India.” This referred to an Indian dye, which made its way to the Greeks and Romans, who prized it as a luxury item. The obvious nickname here would be Indie, though again, it’s probably more suited to girls.
Iolanthe
Iolanthe comes from the Greek elements “iole” from “ἴοn” meaning “violet,” and “anthos” meaning “flower.” The 1882 comic opera Iolanthe, or The Peer and the Peri, by Sullivan and Gilbert helped popularize it. The titular character was a fairy banished from fairyland for marrying a mortal. Iolanthe is the perfect balance of flower and fae for your newborn princess.
Ione
Ione is from the ancient Greek word “ἴon” meaning “violet.” For parents who like Iolanthe but want a shorter, simpler option, Ione is the ticket. It sounds like a fairytale princess or badass sci-fi chic. For all its elegance and beauty, Ione has become antiquated in the U.S. We think it’s time to put Ione back on the throne.
Khuzama
Khuzama is popular in Islamic communities despite not being of Quranic origin. This is possible due to its neutral and soft meaning. Go with Khuzama for a cool exotic pick that is still primarily undiscovered worldwide.
Kikyo
Kikyo can have many meanings based on the kanji used, but it usually refers to the Japanese or Chinese bellflower. This bright purple blossom symbolizes unchanging love, obedience, and honesty. Fittingly, the shrine priestess in the Inuyasha anime is called Kikyo. The flame of love for her sweetheart endured despite being apart for centuries.
Kovidar
Kovidar is of Indian Sanskrit origin and refers to the purple orchid tree, also known as the purple bauhinia. This plant produces flowers with five bright pink petals, so the purple in this one is all in the meaning. Kovidar is one of the few exclusive boy names that mean purple.
Lavender
Lavender possibly comes from the Latin “lividus,” meaning “blueish,” or Old French “lavandièrer” meaning “launderer” or “lavandière,” meaning “washerwoman.” Lavender was first recorded as an English color term in 1705 and is usually agreed to be a medium purple tone. Though the lavender based on the flower is darker than the shade for the web, both are equally pretty.
Lila
Lila is a darling pick and comes with many lovely meanings. In Hindi, it means “play” or “amusement,” but in German, it simply means “purple.” This makes Lila the most vivacious purple name on our list. Hot on worldwide charts, Lila will satisfy parents with a preference for more popular picks.
Lilac
Lilac is an Anglicized version of the Arabic “laylak” and Persian “nylac” meaning “blue.” While lilacs generally symbolize first love and spring, those on the violet end of the color spectrum also symbolize spirituality. Blue lilacs are said to symbolize peace and happiness. You can grant your spring blossom eternal joy with the gentle-sounding Lilac.
Magenta
Magenta comes from the vivid pinkish-purple color and feels very new-age. The dye first used to make magenta was discovered about a year after the Battle of Magenta, named after the nearby town of Magenta in northern Italy. In nature, magenta is seen in animals like flamingos and dragonflies, sea fish and corals, and more abundantly in flowers.
Mauve
Mauve comes from the Latin “malva,” meaning “mallow,” of which the petals range from pink or white to lilac or purple. In a strange coincidence, Mauve looks and sounds quite similar to Maeve. It gives this pastel epithet a dignified old-fashioned feel despite being relatively fresh on the baby naming scene.
Mazarine
Mazarine refers to a dark purplish blue that falls between hyacinth and sapphire. Unlike many floral purple names, the Mazarine Blue associates it with butterflies. Still, its usage is relatively uncommon. Despite falling out of favor during the mid-90s in France, it manages to hold out in DR Congo. We think it’s worth putting Mazarine on your own list.
Morado
Morado feels like the beginnings of a young matador. It can be used for boys or girls since it’s a transferred Spanish surname meaning “purple,” though admittedly, it rings masculine. Spanish class will be one word easier for your little Morado, reinforcing its straightforward, vibrant meaning. Morado scores high on our list of names that mean violet.
Murasaki
Murasaki is Japanese for purple, referencing the purple gromwell plant. It comes from a combination of the kanji for “mura,” which reads as “group” or “cluster,” and the kanji “saki” as “bloom.” Murasaki is more commonly a surname, but it can also be used for girls. A lovely nickname would be Saki, as it still holds meaning on its own.
Petunia
The Petunia is a genus of South American flowering plants that primarily comes in shades of purple, pink, and red. It comes from a French epithet that used the Native American Tupi word “petun” meaning “tobacco,” Petunia’s origin and etymology are unique. A Petunia’s fragrance warded off monsters and spirits in Mayan and Incan myths. Old-school Petunia is feistier than expected.
Phoenix
Phoenix is inspired by a mythical crimson bird that burst into flame upon death and rose from its ashen pyre. The word comes from the Greek “phoinīx,” supposedly meaning “griffin.” More likely, it means “the Phoenician bird” or “purplish-red bird,” stemming from a root meaning “those working with red dyes.” If you like Phoenix, try the nicknames Fee Fee, Nix, or Nicky.
Plum
Plum is from Middle English “ploume,” meaning “plum fruit” or “plum tree.” The word was borrowed from the Old High German word “pfruma” or “pfluma,” from the Latin “prunum.” Originally, Plum was a topographic or an occupational surname but has since become a sweet pick for little girls. The color plum symbolizes royalty and romance — perfect for your sweetheart on the way!
Porfirio
Porfirio probably derives from the Greek Porphyrios, Latinized as Porphyrius. Between the fifth- and sixth-centuries, Porphyrius was a celebrated Byzantine-Roman charioteer. His moniker came from a giant of Greek myth, Porphyrion, who waged war with the gods. It’s unclear how the word came to mean “purple dye” in Italian and Spanish, but it sounds super cool.
Roxo
Roxo is most popular in Portugal, where it calls home, but is overall super rare. Although similar in appearance to manly monikers like Rocko or Rosco(e), it sounds wildly different. Coming from the Latin “russus” or “russeus” meaning “reddish brown,” Roxo has clear roots. And girls’ parents don’t have to feel left out as there’s a feminine version — Roxa.
Shigure
Shigure is a rare gem with fewer than 30 global carriers. According to the characters used, it can have many other meanings, which are all just as lovely. Some of these include “timely rain” or “seasonal rain.” Though there aren’t many examples of real-life namesakes, a famous fictional bearer is Shigure Sohma from the anime Fruits Basket.
Shion
Shion has a sharp but soothing feel and means “aster.” Fittingly, it can also mean “beautiful sound,” with the “shi” kanji reading as “poem” and the “on” kanji as “sound.” Though it keeps the original pronunciation, Shion might sometimes be Anglicized as Sion. Try Shion if you’re looking for a more approachable Japanese option.
Shiryu
Purple dragon has to be the coolest purple name ever. With hardly any bearers worldwide, baby Shiryu has room to make his mark. The kanji can refer to other meanings, but they aren’t as notable. The popularity of this epic epithet is reinforced by fictional namesakes like Saint Seiya’s Dragon Shiryu and One Piece’s Shiryu of the Rain.
Shizuki
Although Shizuki is unisex, all its bearers in Japan are girls. Countless kanji pairings are possible, but you came for “murasaki” meaning “purple” and “tsuki” meaning “moon,” read together as “shizuki.” However, there are so many kanji readings for “ki” that there are too many to list. Some notable ones include “hollyhock,” “princess,” and “sunshine.” Shizuki has major potential.
Sigal
Sigal means “violet” in Hebrew and is the modern Hebrew word for the violet flower. Though uncommon in the west, Sigal is popping up in Israel, with over 7,000 bearers worldwide. Sigal is simple and sweet. Many people Anglicize the spelling of Sigal based on preference, providing some gorgeous variations, such as Sygal and Cygalle.
Slate
Slate is a powerful but understated pick referring to a type of rock. As a first name, Slate has only about 200 bearers worldwide, but as a surname, it’s over 9,000! Dragon Ball Z memes aside, Slate isn’t an outright purple color but tends to fall somewhere in the ballpark of purplish-gray-green. Regardless, it’s definitely a head-turner.
Sugilite
In Steven Universe, Sugilite was a powerful gem created by fusing Amethyst and Garnet. Voiced by Nicki Minaj in her introductory episode, Sugilite was solidified in pop culture. The term Sugilite comes from the mineralogist who discovered it in 1944, Ken-ichi Sugi. Sugi means “cedar” in Japanese, and the suffix “lite” was added to complete the mineral name.
Sumire
Sumire is not to be passed up on this stunning list of violet names. If Japanese purple names are high on your list, gentle Sumire should make the top three. Sumire is often written with hiragana rather than kanji. It may include complex or highly uncommon kanji or colloquialisms making hiragana more accessible. Fortunately, English-speakers can just pick their favorite meaning.
Westerners are prone to mispronouncing Temenuzhka with its length and unusual spelling. Once you get it, the name becomes quite pretty. It’s exotic in a Southeastern European way that makes you think of the Russian Anushka. If you prefer it as a middle name, it should pair well with a shorter first and last name.
Tyrian
Game of Thrones has done wonders to re-establish Tyrian’s variant Tyrion as a regal epithet. It stems from the Latin Tyrianus, meaning “of Tyre,” probably derived from a Semitic word meaning “rock.” The city of Tyre was famous for producing a purple-red dye known as Tyrian purple or royal purple. Hence, Tyrian is a moniker befitting a little king.
Umeko
Ume originates from the obsolete Japanese word “mume,” meaning “plum.” Paired with the kanji “ko,” meaning “child,” it becomes Umeko, roughly translating to “plum child” or “apricot child.” This adorable choice is ideal for summer babies as this is around when the fruit of the Japanese plum tree ripens. Vintage or not, Umeko stays sweet all season.
Viola
Viola brings to mind both the slightly larger cousin of the violin and a genus of flowers in the violet family. We can’t stress enough how pretty and prim Viola is despite its long absence from the U.S. charts. Many Italian options tend to appear complex, but Viola is just so simple and accessible — and more mature than Violet.
Violet
Violet started its comeback in the U.S. in 1998 and has been rising on the charts ever since. In 2021, Violet boomed in the English-speaking world. Beyond U.S. borders, it ranked 45th in England and Wales and 56th in New Zealand. Violet also provides lots of fun nicknames — from Letta and Vi to Vee-Vee and Lottie.
Violeta
For a fancier version of Violet, look to Violeta. It’s most popular in Spanish-speaking nations but only appeared on Spain’s charts in 2021, ranking 93rd. In Spanish, you would more likely hear it pronounced with a soft “B” sound instead of a “V,” to the effect of “bee-oh-LEH-ta.” Get swept away by the exotic charm of Violeta.
Wisteria
Wisteria comes from a purple or lavender blossom named after the American physician and anatomist Caspar Wistar. In many cultures, wisterias symbolize a love that transcends death. Parents are familiar with such a strong affection for a child, and Wisteria is a fantastic show of that unconditional love. Plant a seed of everlasting love in your newborn’s heart with Wisteria.
Yolanda
Yolanda is a version of Iolanthe that departed from its roots enough to grow into its own flower. It last ranked in the U.S. in 2002 at 973rd and in England and Wales at 993rd in 2000. Despite declining popularity, Yolanda still has so much to give. Yola and Landa add even more youthful energy to this lively option.
Yukari
Yukari is as cute as they come. When written with the character “紫” or “murasaki,” it means “purple.” And as a purple name bonus, it can also refer to the plum blossom. There are various other kanji combinations, including one which renders Yukari as “yu” meaning “reason” or “cause,” “ka” meaning “fragrance,” and “ri” meaning “village.” Definitely go with Yukari.
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