Etymology & Historical Origin of the Baby Name Magnolia

Magnolia is the name of a species of flowering trees indigenous to North America. A French botanist by the name of Charles Plumier described the tree in 1703 after coming across it on the Caribbean island of Martinique. Plumier gave the lovely flowering tree the name “Magnolia” after another French botanist Pierre Magnol who happened to be instrumental in the development of the botanical classification systems we know today. As for the meaning of Magnol, we could not find any definitive etymology on this rather rare surname. It most likely comes from the Latin “magna” meaning “great”. The magnolia tree is typically associated with “splendid beauty” and dignity. The tree stands tall and the flower blossoms are simply gorgeous and vibrant. The magnolia tree is the state tree of Mississippi, and it’s the state flower for both Mississippi and Louisiana (within the United States magnolia trees are native to the southeast). As a given name, Magnolia came into vogue during the latter part of the 19th century when naming girls after flowers became fashionable.

All About the Baby Name – Magnolia

Personality

OF THE GIRL NAME MAGNOLIA

The number Nine personality represents the completion or ending of the cycle, and a need for perfection. This is the personality that moves from "self" to a greater understanding and compassion for the human condition and the world order. They want to make the world a better place. Nines are capable of great spiritual and humanitarian achievements. They are courageous and fearless, able to fight great battles on behalf of worthy causes. These personalities will not tolerate injustice. They are compassionate people with a strong sensitivity to others. They are able to both educate and inspire. Friendships and relationships are the lifeblood to the Nine, and they place a high value on love and affection. Nines are often exceptionally gifted artistically, and they have a keen imagination and enterprising mind.

Popularity

OF THE GIRL NAME MAGNOLIA

In the United States, Magnolia was most popular during the turn-of-the-century in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Back then, flower names for girls were quite trendy. Although Magnolia was not as popular as her sisters Rose, Violet, Lily or Daisy; she still managed to carve out a moderate place on the charts over 100 years ago. Just as with other flower names, Magnolia began to experience a decline in usage as the 20th century got under way. By 1940, Magnolia fell off the American girl’s naming charts altogether, and has yet to return. While the other flower names (Rose, Violet, Lily and Daisy) have experienced a recent revival, Magnolia hasn’t made the cut. We figuring parents have just forgotten about this lovely moniker. Lily and Daisy are super happy and cute names. Rose and Violet are both charming and dignified in that “old lady” sort of way. But the four-syllable Magnolia is nothing short of a “splendid beauty”. Maggie is also a potential pet form of this more fanciful flower name.

Quick Facts

ON MAGNOLIA

GENDER:

Girl

ORIGIN:

English

NUMBER OF SYLLABLES:

4

RANKING POPULARITY:

981

PRONUNCIATION:

mag-NOL-ee-ah

SIMPLE MEANING:

Great flower; Splendid beauty

Characteristics

OF MAGNOLIA

Multi-talented

Intuitive

Oneness

Idealistic

Philanthropy

Independent

Perfection

Cultural References to the Baby Name – Magnolia

Literary Characters

OF THE BABY NAME MAGNOLIA

We cannot find any significant literary characters by the name of Magnolia

Childrens Books

ON THE BABY NAME MAGNOLIA

We cannot find any childrens books with the first name Magnolia


Popular Songs

ON MAGNOLIA

Sweet Magnolia Blossom
a song by Billy "Crash" Craddock

Sweet Magnolia
a song by Dan Fogelberg

Steel Magnolia
a song by Cypress Hill

Miss Magnolia
a song by Matt Costa

Magnolia Simms
a song by The Monkees

Magnolia Mountain
a song by Ryan Adams

Magnolia Moon
a song by Seals & Crofts

Magnolia
a song by Tom Petty

Magnolia’s Room
a song by Anthony Hamilton

Dear Magnolia
a song by Mark Erelli

Da Magnolia
a song by Juvenile [explicit]

727 East Magnolia Avenue
a song by Sage Keffer

Sugar Magnolia
a song by the Grateful Dead

Famous People

NAMED MAGNOLIA

We cannot find any celebrities or significantly famous people with the first name Magnolia.

Children of Famous People

NAMED MAGNOLIA

We cannot find any children of famous people with the first name Magnolia

Historic Figures

WITH THE NAME MAGNOLIA

We cannot find any historically significant people with the first name Magnolia