Nigella

At a Glance: Name: Nigella – Meaning: from the flower name, ultimately Latin for 'black' (referring to its dark seeds) – Origin: English (19th-century flower name, from Latin)

---

Nigella is an English name that surfaced in the 19th century, taken from the flower of the same name. That flower's name traces back to Latin for 'black,' a nod to its dark seeds — so while some assume Nigella simply means 'flower,' the word's roots actually point to color, not blossom. It's a name with a clear, traceable origin rather than a vague or invented one.

Meaning & Origin of Nigella

Meaning: From the flower name, ultimately latin for 'black' (referring to its dark seeds).

Origin: English (19th-century flower name, from Latin).

A common claim: Nigella means 'flower' Actually: It doesn't literally mean 'flower' in Latin — the plant's own name traces to Latin niger ('black'), referring to its black seeds; the given name simply borrows the flower's name.

Source: Wiktionary.

Popularity of Nigella

Nigella does not appear in U.S. Social Security birth-name records (38,443 names on file, 1880–present) — likely too rare, too new, or recorded under a different spelling. No popularity rank or trend is shown rather than an invented one.

Make Nigella Name Art

Free printable nursery art for Nigella, pre-loaded below — pick a layout, palette, and font, then download a print-ready PNG.

FAQ

What does the name Nigella mean?

From the flower name, ultimately latin for ‘black’ (referring to its dark seeds). (Source: Wiktionary, https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Nigella)

More Baby Name Inspiration

• Check any name’s popularity history
• Take the naming-style quiz
• Make art for a different name