Charlotte Girl
SHAHR-luht
“free man” · French
#2
Magnolia
GirlLatin, French· “the magnolia flower”
- Meaning
- the magnolia flower
- Origin
- Latin, French
- Pronunciation
- mag-NOHL-yuh
- Syllables
- 3
- US rank 2025
- #124
- US babies 2025
- 2,233
- Best rank
- #124 (2025)
- Peak year
- 2025
Meaning and origin of Magnolia
Magnolia is a Latin and French name that means “the magnolia flower”.
Magnolia is the name of a flowering tree admired for its large, fragrant blossoms. The plant was named in honor of Pierre Magnol, a French botanist of the seventeenth and early eighteenth centuries, using a Latin-style ending. The magnolia is strongly associated with the American South, where it grows along streets and in old gardens, and it is the state flower of Mississippi and Louisiana. As a baby name Magnolia combines Southern charm with the current love of botanical names. Maggie, Nola and Lia are all possible nicknames.
Popularity over time
Magnolia has been given to babies in the United States since at least 1880, the first year of Social Security records. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 72 different years. It is at its all-time high right now: 2025 brought both its best national rank, #124, and its highest count, 2,233 babies. Use has grown 396% in ten years.
Its national rank moved from #642 in 1920, #1,401 in 1950, #4,437 in 1980, #2,203 in 2000, #1,390 in 2010, and #124 in 2025. Of the 23,403 US girls named Magnolia since records began, 50% were born in the 2020s, its biggest decade. The 2010s come next, with 5,429 babies.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Scottie, Hallie, Alina, Ember, and Amira.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Magnolia ranked highest in Arkansas, Alabama, and Tennessee.
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Magnolia is usually pronounced mag-NOHL-yuh, with three syllables. It has eight letters, starts with M and ends in “-ia”.
Middle names for Magnolia
A few middle names that flow with Magnolia: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Magnolia
Similar names
Dahlia Girl
DAL-yuh
“the dahlia flower” · Swedish
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Lilia Girl
LIHL-ee-uh
“lily” · Latin
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Camellia Girl
kuh-MEEL-yuh
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Natalia Girl
nuh-TAHL-yuh
“Christmas Day” · Latin
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Cecilia Girl
sih-SEEL-yuh
“from Caecilius; traditionally 'blind'” · Latin
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Alivia Girl
uh-LIV-ee-uh
“variant of Olivia” · American (modern coinage)
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Rosalie Girl
ROH-zuh-lee
“rose” · French
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Emelia Girl
ih-MEE-lee-uh
“form of Emilia; rival” · Latin
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Aurelia Girl
aw-REEL-yuh
“golden” · Latin
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Livia Girl
LIV-ee-uh
“from the Roman family name Livius” · Latin
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Amelia Girl
uh-MEEL-yuh
“work” · Germanic
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Juliette Girl
joo-lee-ET
“youthful” · French
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Lists that include Magnolia
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Magnolia mean?
Magnolia is a Latin and French name that means “the magnolia flower”.
What is the origin of the name Magnolia?
Magnolia has Latin and French roots. Magnolia is the name of a flowering tree admired for its large, fragrant blossoms.
Is Magnolia a popular name?
Yes. Magnolia ranked #124 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Magnolia a boy or girl name?
Magnolia is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Magnolia?
Magnolia is usually pronounced mag-NOHL-yuh. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings