Zenry

Henry too mainstream for you? I may just have found a rather delectable solution, with a slight Katniss flare.

For those not yet informed, the character of Katniss from The Hunger Games is named for a edible aquatic plant, also known as sagittaria – which means arrow. It was an apt name for the character, given her prowess with a bow and arrow.

The name Zenry has similar connotations, being an Old West Country name for charlock.

Charlock is considered a weed in the UK, but has rather pretty yellow flowers. It’s seeds can be ground to create a mustard substitute, and at one point in time it was consumed as a green vegetable. The scientific name for the plant is Sinapis arvensis, and is also commonly known as wild mustard.

Going back to Zenry, you would be mistaken in believing there to be a link between Zenry and Zen, although the latter could, admittedly, make for a wonderful nickname for the former.

Zen, you see, has origins in Ancient Greek where he was a poetic variant of Zeus; but is more often associated with Zen Buddhism these days, which at it’s core teaches the importance of experience over learnt theory.

The origins of the name Zenry most likely lie with the Latin saurion, which means mustard, and was almost certainly influenced by Henry.

However, despite the association with Henry, this name is still technically unisex. You may have already been able to work that out from the picture above.

Most nature names seem to go to the girls (think Rose, Océane and Juniper), but a select few still remain in the blue camp (hello Forest). Since it’s a rather obscure name, I could really see Zenry working as a quirky pick for either and that rocks.

Which do you prefer? Zenry as a boy or girl name?