Violet

The violet flower; also associated with its color.

Violet is a feminine English name taken from the flower. Its word history runs through Old French violete to Latin viola. The color term grew from the flower name, so the floral image sits at the center even when the shade is what first catches your imagination. The English sound has more flexibility than the spelling suggests: /ˈvaɪ.lɪt/ is compact, while /ˈvaɪ.ə.lɪt/ gives the middle a little more space. The opening v and final t bring definition to the softer flower association. To our ear, that mixture makes Violet lyrical with a crisp edge. French Violette and Spanish Violeta belong to the same floral family, but have their own spellings and rhythms.

Etymology: Violet is an English flower name. The word came through Old French violete from Latin viola; the English color term developed from the flower name.