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Home › Baby Names Directory › Lavender

Lavender

♀ Girl

Pronounced LAV-en-der /ˈlæv.ən.dər/High

Meaning: The aromatic plant Lavandula; from Latin lavare (to wash), because lavender was used in Roman baths and laundryHigh

In 30 seconds: A botanical name drawn from the fragrant lavender plant, whose Latin root lavare means 'to wash.' The color and the scent both carry associations of calm, purity, and the Provencal countryside.
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Origin HighLatin, English
MeaningThe aromatic plant Lavandula; from Latin lavare (to wash), because lavender was used in Roman baths and laundry
U.S. rank (2024)#998 ↗ Rising
2024 U.S. births258 girls (0.02% of U.S. girls)
Peak year2024
Total births (all-time)≈ 2,098

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 202419622024

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Lavender is the English name of the flowering plant Lavandula, derived from Latin lavare (to wash, to bathe), reflecting the plant's widespread use in Roman baths and laundry. The pale purple color associated with the flower also bears the name. As a given name, Lavender is a modern botanical choice.

Lavender has appeared in U.S. birth data since at least the late 20th century but remained rare until the 2010s–2020s, when botanical names surged. It ranked #998 for girls in 2024, sitting alongside Violet, Sage, and Magnolia in the botanical name trend.

Did you know? Lavender was so widely used to scent Roman laundry and bathwater that the Latin word for washing (lavare) gave the plant its name — reversing the usual plant-names-the-thing order.
Overall data confidence 92%
Behind the Name — Lavender — botanical etymologyU.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data

Variations

LavanderLavendar

Nicknames

LaviLavvyLavie

Famous Bearers

  • ★Lavender Brown (fictional, 1997–2007)
    A Gryffindor witch and classmate of Harry Potter throughout J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series — one of the world's best-selling book franchises with over 600 million copies sold in more than 80 languages. Lavender appears across all seven novels and becomes Ron Weasley's first girlfriend in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (Book 6, 2005), one of the series' most memorable storylines. Portrayed on screen by Jessie Cave in the film adaptations of Half-Blood Prince (2009) and Deathly Hallows (2010–2011), she is among the most recognized characters in the series to carry a botanically inspired name.

If you like Lavender…

Violet— botanical color-name in the same purple/lavender spectrum
Sage— aromatic herb name in the same botanical category
Magnolia— large flowering plant name with the same romantic botanical feel
Clover— short herb name with the same earthy-sweet quality
Primrose— another English flowering plant name with the same vintage botanical charm

Explore names like Lavender

By themelatinnaturefloralbotanicalcolor

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Lavender mean?

Lavender comes from Latin lavare (to wash); the plant was named for its use in Roman baths and laundry. As a name it carries the plant's associations with calm and fragrance.

How do you pronounce Lavender?

It's said LAV-en-der — three syllables, stress on the first.

Is Lavender a boy or girl name?

Lavender is used as a girls' name.

How popular is Lavender?

Lavender ranked #998 for U.S. girls in 2024.

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