The 40 Most Common Arabic Flower Names

Nora Nasr

Author

Nora Nasr

The 40 Most Common Arabic Flower Names

Hey there nature lovers and Arabic language learners!

In today’s post, we’re going to go over the various types of flowers in Arabic.

Not only will you learn how to pronounce some of the most popular and common flower names in English, but we’re going also to touch upon some fascinating meanings and symbolism.

Join us as we learn the Arabic names of 40 of the most common flowers out there.

Flower names in Arabic

The Arabic language is an incredibly beautiful language that carries with it so much history, culture, and art. From its lyrical verses in poetry to its intricate calligraphy in the Quran, the Arabic language has always been about celebrating beauty and expression in all forms.

One of the ways in which the Arabic language expresses its inherent beauty is through the names of flowers.

The Arabic word for "flower" is either "زهرة" (zahra) or "وردة" (warda).

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Ok, let’s get started with the different kinds of flowers out there and their names.

زنبق

Flower: Lily

Known for its purity and elegance, the lily carries the same meaning in Arabic as it does in Western culture and it is a popular choice for wedding bouquets!

ورد

Flower: Rose

Arguably the most iconic flower in Arab culture, the rose represents love and beauty.

فريزيا

Flower: Freesia

With its sweet fragrance and vivid colors, the freesia represents friendship and thoughtfulness in many cultures, including Arabic culture.

توليب

Flower: Tulip

Another popular flower that is widely used in Arab homes, the tulip symbolizes perfect love and admiration.

نرجس

Flower: Narcissus

This dainty flower is often associated with the arrival of spring and represents springtime, renewal, and rebirth!

ياسمين

Flower: Jasmine

An incredibly fragrant flower, jasmine is often used in perfumes and is a symbol of purity, grace, and elegance and is very often grown and used all throughout the Middle East.

زهرة اللوتس

Flower: Lotus Flower

This beautiful flower is widely associated with purity, enlightenment, and self-regeneration.

عباد الشمس

Flower: Sunflower

With its bright yellow petals, the sunflower represents loyalty, adoration, and faithfulness! Did you know that the Arabic word for sun is shams. You will find it in scores of personal or family names?

كركديه

Flower: Hibiscus

This stunning flower is used in tea and is a symbol of youthful beauty, femininity, and fertility and is used widely in Arab households.

بنفسج

Flower: Violet

This delicate flower represents modesty, humility, and innocence.

بوصير

Flower: Daisy

This gentle flower represents purity, innocence, and simplicity.

الليلك

Flower: Lilac

With its soft purple hues, the lilac represents serenity, tranquility, and the arrival of spring.

ديا

Flower: Pomegranate Blossom

Representing fertility and prosperity, the pomegranate blossom is widely associated with the autumn season. In many Arab countries, pomegranate tea is very popular!

خوخ

Flower: Peach Blossom

Representing longevity and good fortune, the peach blossom is widely celebrated in both Chinese and Middle Eastern culture.

المعمر

Flower: Periwinkle

This flower is known for its vibrant blue hue, and the periwinkle represents the connection between heaven and earth.

خشخاش

Flower: Poppy

Known for its hypnotic beauty, the poppy is often associated with the idea of eternal sleep and remembrance.

زعفران

Flower: Saffron

Widely used in cooking in many Middle Eastern countries, saffron represents luxury, royalty, and power.

الكوسة

Flower: Squash Blossom

Widely used in Middle Eastern culture and cooking, the squash blossom represents fertility, abundance, and the arrival of summer.

البامية

Flower: Okra Blossom

Also known as ladyfinger, the okra blossom represents fertility, abundance, and the promise of a fruitful harvest.

الفلفل

Flower: Pepper Blossom

With its bright colors and spicy fragrance, the pepper blossom represents fire, passion, and creativity.

الورد البلدي

Flower: Wild Rose

This simple yet elegant flower represents simplicity, humility, and the beauty of nature.’

الزعتر

Flower: Thyme Blossom

With its powerful aroma, the thyme blossom represents strength, endurance, and the ability to overcome adversity.

الصبار

Flower: Cactus Flower

Known for their ability to survive in harsh environments, cactus flowers represent resilience, endurance, and the ability to thrive in adversity.

الأقحوان

Flower: Dandelion

Often viewed as a weed in Western culture, the dandelion represents the beauty of simplicity, wish-making, and the arrival of spring.

الحسك

Flower: Hyacinth

With its sweet fragrance and bold colors, the hyacinth represents the beauty of youth, vitality, and the arrival of spring.

الكزبرة

Flower: Coriander Blossom

Although often overshadowed by the herb's distinctive flavor, the coriander blossom represents courage, strength, and resilience. You’ll find this blossom growing in many Arabic gardens.

البنفسج الأسود

Flower: Black Violet

This unique flower represents mystery, intrigue, and the unknown.

الريحان

Flower: Basil

Known for its calming aroma, basil represents serenity, peace, and the importance of self-care. Another popular flower you’re likely to find growing in Arab gardens, which is also used often in Middle Eastern cooking and in salads too.

الزنجبيل

Flower: Ginger Blossom

With its spicy fragrance and bright colors, the ginger blossom represents creativity, passion, and the ability to navigate difficult situations.

الطحلب

Flower: Lichen

Although often overlooked, lichen represents the tenacity, resilience, and grit needed to survive in difficult environments.

البصل

Flower: Onion Flower

This humble flower represents the beauty of simplicity, the importance of self-sufficiency, and the ability to overcome adversity.

الياس

Flower: Wisteria

With its cascading branches and delicate flowers, wisteria represents the beauty of tradition, elegance, and grace.

الزيتون

Flower: Olive Blossom

Representing peace, prosperity, and the bounty of nature, the olive blossom is widely associated with the Mediterranean region.

الشماس

Flower: Bird of Paradise

Known for its vibrant colors and unique shape, the bird of paradise represents the beauty of the exotic, the unknown, and the unexplored.

زهرة القرنفل

Flower: Carnation

Carnations are known for their diverse colors and are often associated with love, fascination, and distinction.

زهرة الأوركيد

Flower: Orchids

Orchids come in various shapes and colors and are often associated with luxury, beauty, and strength.

زهرة الكرز

Flower: Cherry Blossom

Often associated with renewal and the fleeting nature of life, cherry blossoms are a symbol of spring in many cultures including Arabic. 

المغنوليا

Flower: Magnolia

Representing dignity and nobility, magnolia is a symbol of purity and perfection in various cultures.

الأقحوان البحري

Flower: Sea Daisy

This lovely flower often symbolizes peace and tranquility, reflecting the serene nature of the sea.

الأذريون

Flower: Lavender

Last, but certainly not least, lavender is known for its calming scent and is often associated with relaxation, healing, and purity all throughout the Middle East. It is also known for its remedial properties.

Pronunciation of Flower Names in Arabic

Here's a table that organizes these Arabic flower names, their English translations, and a simple guide to their pronunciation:

Arabic English Pronunciation
زنبق Lily zanbaq
ورد Rose ward
فريزيا Freesia freiziā
توليب Tulip tūlīb
نرجس Narcissus narjas
ياسمين Jasmine yāsmīn
زهرة اللوتس Lotus Flower zahrat al-lūtas
عباد الشمس Sunflower ‘abād al-shams
كركديه Hibiscus karkadīh
بنفسج Violet banafsaj
بوصير Daisy bawsīr
الليلك Lilac al-līlak
ديا Pomegranate Blossom diyā
خوخ Peach Blossom khawkh
المعمر Periwinkle al-mu‘ammar
خشخاش Poppy khushkhāsh
زعفران Saffron za‘farān
الكوسة Squash Blossom al-kūsah
البامية Okra Blossom al-bāmīyah
الفلفل Pepper Blossom al-filfil
الورد البلدي Wild Rose al-ward al-baladī
الزعتر Thyme Blossom al-za‘tar
الصبار Cactus Flower al-ṣabār
الأقحوان Dandelion al-‘aqḥuwān
الحسك Hyacinth al-ḥasak
الكزبرة Coriander Blossom al-kuzbarah
البنفسج الأسود Black Violet al-banafsaj al-aswad
الريحان Basil al-rīḥān
الزنجبيل Ginger Blossom al-zanjabīl
الطحلب Lichen al-ṭaḥlab
البصل Onion Flower al-baṣal
الياس Wisteria al-yās
الزيتون Olive Blossom al-zaytūn
الشماس Bird of Paradise al-shamās
زهرة القرنفل Carnation zahrat al-qaranfīl
زهرة الأوركيد Orchid zahrat al-‘urkīd
زهرة الكرز Cherry Blossom zahrat al-karaz
المغنوليا Magnolia al-magnūlīā
الأقحوان البحري Sea Daisy al-'aqḥuwān al-baḥrī
الأذريون Lavender al-'azaryūn

We hope that this list of the most common flower names in Arabic has inspired you to explore the beauty and richness of the language even further.

The next time you come across a flower, take a moment to appreciate its beauty and all that it represents, and perhaps even learn its Arabic name to deepen your appreciation of the language.

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