This post was originally published on March 18, 2010. It was substantially revised and re-posted on July 17, 2014.
She’s a pretty botanical choice with appealing nickname options.
Thanks to Lyndsay for suggesting Magnolia as Name of the Day.
Back in the nineteenth century and right into the 1930s, girls named Magnolia weren’t shocking. The name regularly appeared in the US Top 1000, which meant that it was given to a few dozen newborns annually.
As so many names do, Magnolia faded – a never-too-popular choice quietly slipping in use.
If there were ever a moment for Magnolia to make a comeback, it is now:
- Parents are wild about nature names, from the traditional flowers to more adventurous possibilities. If we’re naming our kids Cedar and Sky, Magnolia is a possibility.
- That great nickname Maggie has been heard in fashionable circles – Jon Stewart’s daughter is Maggie Rose.
- Her -ia ending is quite stylish, and Magnolia fits in with Sophia, Olivia, and Amelia.
And wouldn’t you know it? Magnolia is back. In 2013, she re-entered the US rankings at #977, at her most popular since 1940.
The name comes from French naturalist Pierre Magnol. He was a teacher and director of the Royal Botanic Garden of Montpellier in the early 1700s. His student, Charles Plumier, named the flowering tree in honor of his professor. The name stuck, and Carl Linnaeus used it in his definitive guides to plants in the 1730s and 40s.
The surname Magnol has proven elusive, so the only meaning you’re likely to find is from the flower.
Speaking of the flower, they’re widespread, with varieties taking root from Asia to the Americas to the West Indies.
The most famous Magnolia might be Edna Ferber’s Magnolia, called Nolie, a river boat captain’s daughter and performer in her 1926 novel Show Boat. Ferber’s novel became a Broadway musical the following year. Today Show Boat might feel like a gentle antique, but in the 1920s, it was groundbreaking. Showboat featured the first racially integrated cast on Broadway, and it also dealt with much weightier issues than was previously the norm for musicals.
Show Boat takes Magnolia to the American South, as does 1989’s Steel Magnolias. The movie was all about the lives of a group of delicate-but-strong Southern ladies – including Julia Roberts in her breakout role.
Southern Living calls it “the essential Southern plant.” Houston, Texas has been called “The Magnolia City” and Mississippi is “The Magnolia State.” A number of gracious, historic homes bear the name throughout the American South.
In the Victorian language of flowers, magnolias were said to signify dignity, nobility, perseverance – good qualities, all.
Possible nicknames range from friendly Maggie to sassy Nola. Meg, Nolia, and Nolie are options, too.
I’m curious how she reads in the UK, where Magnolia is a rather ordinary shade of white.
While some floral names read bold – think of Lotus or Azalea – Magnolia is rather lady-like, without sacrificing an air of resilience and capability.
Overall, Magnolia makes for a lovely antique, ready for revival. She’s graceful and surprising, easy to wear but relatively rare – at least for now.
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Baby Name of the Day: Nolia
This is perfectly put! My daughter is Magnolia Louise, named for my grandmother and great-grandmother. She is 3 and an absolute southern, fiery, and not-afraid-of-anything little lady. We had always planned on calling her Magnolia but knowing she might have many nicknames growing up, but when anyone abbreviates or calls her something other than Magnolia she instantly corrects them by saying, “No, it’s Magnolia.”
I am not sure how I got here but had to comment! My 3 year old is Magnolia. She fits the name so well. She is spunky and beautiful, sensitive and warm. We get compliments on her name wherever we go. As far as nicknames go. She is Maggie, Nola, Nollie-Pollie, and to her baby sister Agga.
There is a Magnolia in the movie “Show Boat”.
I love the name Magnolia and plan on using this name for my daughter. I think it is a name that can carry a person from childhood to old age. Thank you all for commenting on it…it has been so interesting to read everyone’s perspectives on the name! Originally, I thought that I would use Maggie as a nickname, but now I am also considering Noli…thanks : )
I met a sibset, Magnolia and Orion. Seems deadheady but in a nice way. They were about 3 and 1.
Magnolia and Orion is, somehow, both totally over the top and undeniably attractive.
Maybe it is because they almost feel like twists on the classic Margaret and the contemporary Ryan. Magnolia and Orion are outside of the mainstream, but not startlingly so.
My name is Magnolia. I was Maggie May as a child, which got ridiculed as much as my long name Magnolia May Polley. Thats right, Im Maggie May for short… Ill tell you all something. I love my name every day. It has defined me in ways I cannot express. People remember it. It is not a name for just any girl child…its a name for someone strong, enduring, inspiring…its a poets name…it is not a prissy name…it is a sexy name, its an artists name. It is not a wall-flowers name. It is not the name of a house-wife, it is the name of an adventurer and life explorer…someone who loves nature, who is nature…who is not only enchanted by it, but one who is a very important piece of that enchantment. This is the name of a girl who loves everyone, hugs everyone, and puts her hands and heart out for the healing and survival of those around her, so that everyone has a better life. She is never poor, she has friends in every country and city, and loves all that radiates light and subtle beauty. She is never forgotten. There is a real definition of a real peson. Namaste.
That is beautiful! Thank you- I am no longer on the fence about giving this name to my daughter.
I really like this name even more! Not sure what we are having in April 11′, but if its a girl, I am really leaning towards Magnolia. I like Nolie too for the nickname! Thanks!
I recently read a book where the main character was Magnolia, who didn’t go by Maggie.
(Little Pink Slips by Sally Koslow, if you’re interested.)
Love this name! Can’t ever use it, though, as it’s too close to my daughter’s name.
I lived on the West Coast for a couple of years and grew to love the beautiful magnolia blossoms that would appear every spring. When I was pregnant last year I would go for long walks as the magnolia trees became heavier and heavier with their pink and white petals. But I never once thought about naming my daughter after the plant.
I love the name Margaret — it’s in my top ten (sadly my husband hates it) — but I don’t think I ever really would consider Magnolia. I’m with Urban Angel: I’d like to see it on someone else’s kid.
Magnolia is gorgeous, especially with the nicknames Maggie, Nola or Nolie. I am surprised it hasn’t been used more often.