Rising since 2019, #11,932 for girls today.
Popularity of Gardenia since 1917
Babies named Gardenia per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1910s | 10 |
| 1920s | 18 |
| 1930s | 118 |
| 1940s | 148 |
| 1950s | 154 |
| 1960s | 99 |
| 1970s | 75 |
| 1980s | 79 |
| 1990s | 315 |
| 2000s | 178 |
| 2010s | 114 |
| 2020s | 46 |
Meaning & origin
Gardenia is a rare floral name with a distinctly old-fashioned charm. First recorded in 1917, it belongs to the category of botanical appellations that flourished in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The name saw its highest usage in 1992, when it reached its peak rank. After decades of relative obscurity, Gardenia has been rising again since 2019, reflecting a broader revival of nature-inspired and vintage names. With only about 1 in every 229,610 newborn girls receiving the name in 2025, it remains an uncommon choice, appealing to parents seeking a delicate, fragrant alternative to more popular flower names like Lily or Rose.
Gardenia is a modern botanical name, first used as a given name in the early 20th century. It derives from the genus of flowering plants named in honor of Dr. Alexander Garden (1730-1791), a Scottish-born American naturalist. The name entered the U.S. naming pool around 1917, reflecting the Victorian fashion for flower names. It saw modest use throughout the 20th century, peaking in 1992.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Gardy, Nia, Deni
Sibling names for Gardenia
Names that share Gardenia's style, for a brother or sister.
