The baby name Blossom mixes a certain quirky, mid-century vibe with plenty of energy and positive meaning.
Thanks to Gwen for suggesting our Baby Name of the Day.
WHAT DOES THE NAME BLOSSOM MEAN?
Strictly speaking, to blossom means to thrive or to bloom. It was blotsma in thirteenth century English and blomi in Old Norse.
On first hearing, the baby name Blossom might sound like a late 1960s counterculture pick. A sister for Rainbow or Kismet.
Except nature names trace their history back long before the twentieth century. Flora, after all, is a Roman goddess, and the Victorians perfected the art of adopting nearly every bloom in the garden for a child’s name.
In fact, the baby name Blossom hugged the edges of the US Top 1000 from the 1880s into the 1930s. It’s been a given name for baby girls longer than you might guess.
If the 100-year rule applies, this name could be making a comeback right about now.
FAMOUS BLOSSOMS
Of course, that means we can name some famous Blossoms over the years.
Blossom Seeley – born Minnie Guyer – became a major recording star in the 1910s and 20s. An innovator in her day, it seems possible that her popularity drove the name’s spike by the mid-20s.
Actor Blossom Rock – born Edith Marie Blossom MacDonald – also started out in vaudeville in the 1920s. Her biggest role came decades later, as Grandmama on The Addams Family during the 1960s.
Then there’s Blossom Dearie.
You might not recognize the name, but listen to a track or three and her distinctive voice might feel familiar. Born Margrethe Blossom Dearie, she made her career on the supper club circuit as a singer and pianist.
It’s said her unusual name came from peach blossoms delivered by a neighbor – or maybe her brothers – on the day she was born.
The surname Blossom is also heard occasionally. Pioneering dancer Beverly Blossom is one notable example.
BLOSSOM ON THE SMALL SCREEN
Odds are that many readers think of a different Blossom first – not Seeley or Rock or Dearie, but the titular character of 90s sitcom Blossom.
The 1990s sitcom world gave us plenty of unforgettable names: Boy Meets World’s Topanga, The Nanny’s Brighton, and too many soap opera characters to count.
But it turns out that the television show offered a backstory for the baby name Blossom. Her brothers answered to the traditional Anthony and Joseph, but their sister? She was named for jazz singer Blossom Dearie. After all, the show was about a single musician dad raising three kids on his own.
The 1990s was also the age of The Powerpuff Girls. The animated series gave us another television Blossom in the 1990s – a little girl superhero, sister to Buttercup and Bubbles. She’s the confident, determined leader of the trio.
A GARDEN OF GIRL NAMES
Flower names have been used for generations. Ecovintage favorites like Lily, Daisy, Ivy, Violet, and Hazel are very much back in favor.
So are pan-botanical baby names like Flora, Florence, and Eden.
In this company, Blossom makes sense as a girl’s name. Fresh and novel, but very much in the tradition of many a popular name.
HOW POPULAR IS THE NAME BLOSSOM?
From 1882 into 1931, the baby name Blossom occasionally appeared in the US Top 1000 baby girl names.
Since then, it’s teetered on the edge of obscurity. Maybe a few girls in the 1990s received the name Blossom thanks to the sitcom – or the superhero. But it just wasn’t common at all.
Instead, Blossom has caught on over the last decade or more because of our love of nature names. As of 2023, 92 girls were named Blossom – the biggest number since the name’s heyday in the 1920s.
VIBRANT and FLOURISHING
Blossom brings to mind the garden, but it’s no delicate flower.
There’s a boldness and sophistication to this beautiful name.
Pan-botanical Blossom, with just enough history of use to feel vintage, could wear well for a daughter born now.
What do you think of the baby name Blossom? Would you consider it for a daughter?
First published on July 18, 2012, this post was revised on December 22, 2020 and April 4, 2025.
I recently think Blossom could be considered as one of the modern virtue names since it could mean the greatest time period of greatest productivity, which brings to mind names like Harvest or Everest.
It makes me think of the powerpuff girl. Feels nickname-y to me, perhaps for that reason
I was reading Britishbabiesnames.com old 1800’s baby name registrar and blossom was always popping up. Especially during the phase of floral names becoming popular in 1880 onwards. Sweet, innocent and pretty for name. I saw it paired with mimosa and Lilly often.
My name is Blossom and I love it! (growing up, I was called Bubbles) & I loved both my names
Blossom is so sweet; it manages to be one of the old-fashioned florals without sounding antique or re-hashed. I do connect it with the singer Blossom Dearie.
I would definitely consider using this name in the future, but maybe in the middle? Not sure.
I grew up with the Powerpuff Girls, and although Blossom was my least favourite, I could see myself using the name. My sister went to primary school with a girl named Blossom, who must’ve been born in the mid-90s.
I really like Blossom, but I know regardless of the other “famed” Blossoms, the TV show character is going to be #1 in everyone’s minds. Is it the worst association ever? Maybe not.
I think Luella Blossom is incredibly adorable. It gives me warm fuzzies inside!
Our first dance as a married couple was to Blossom Dearie’s version of “Someone to Watch Over Me.” I just had a our little guy 10 days ago, but if (by some miracle) we ever have another little girl… Blossom could be a lovely middle name.
It WOULD be a lovely middle – what a sweet story. And have I said congrats on your new arrival? Welcome to the world!
For some reason I think of a cow. I’m sure I’ve come across a cow somewhere (in a book? TV?) named Blossom. I also think of My Little Ponies. I think there was a pony named Blossom.
Basically, not being familiar with any of the above references this name goes barnyard for me. But you’re right, I do recognise Blossom Dearie’s voice.
I like Blossom in theory, and could see it making a modest comeback. It’s simply too tied to Mayim Bialik’s character for me.