What Should You Name a Bonsai Tree?

  • By: Josh Koop
  • Date: August 28, 2023
  • Time to read: 6 min.
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Bonsai trees are a mark of living history that the Japanese have cultivated through many years. A sense of serenity comes with a bonsai plant, so many people choose to keep a bonsai in their homes to enhance the atmosphere. So, if you have a bonsai plant and you’re wondering, “What should I name my bonsai tree,” you’ve come to the right place.

Naming your bonsai tree can be tricky, especially if you’re an indecisive individual. The name should be entirely personal and is best if it conveys a story. Because many bonsai trees live so long, the name you provide can hold great significance in the future. As you’re its owner, the name could have a unique link to you, besides being meaningful on its own.

People often choose to name their pets, and owning a tree is similar to owning a pet. In this article, I will go in-depth on why you should name your bonsai tree and things you can consider while doing so.

So, stick with me till the end to find out more about naming your bonsai tree.

Why Should You Name Your Bonsai Tree?

A bonsai tree is a form of art that you’re contributing to every day by taking care of it and nurturing it. People give their bonsai trees names to establish a real connection with them, to make the experience more personal and memorable, besides giving it an independent identity.

Owning a bonsai can bring many joys in your life, especially if you struggle with being on your own. It can also improve your mental wellbeing and increase your levels of commitment. Here are five reasons why you name your bonsai tree.

Builds a Connection

Giving your bonsai tree a name will build a personal connection between you and your tree. You’ll empathize with your tree, and it’ll gradually become a part of your life.

Similar to how we name pets, people also give their house plants or trees names. Even when there is no one to talk to, talking to your bonsai tree will provide you with a sense of calm.

Plus, giving it a unique name will pack a punch, and you can get your creative juice flowing by choosing a name that also says something about yourself.

It’s a very healthy way to establish connections and companionship with your plant, and it will also help you take better care of it.

The human brain has an innate tendency to seek and connect with other people, which can sometimes transfer to plants and pets. Talking to your bonsai tree or any other house plant is a symbol of love and higher cognition.

It Tells a Story

People go through different situations at different stages of their life. The bonsai tree you have in your home is no exception. It could be a tree you bought or a tree you’ve grown.

What you name your bonsai plant may also reflect what its story is. Besides, having your plant’s name tell people a story is a remarkable way to initiate conversations.

It will also let you speak about why you’re enthusiastic about your bonsai tree. If you don’t know your tree’s history already, naming it is an excellent excuse to start searching.

Also, if you’re confused about how to name your bonsai tree, thinking about how the name can tell a story is a great way to begin your attempt.

Makes the Experience Very Personal

The entire idea about giving your bonsai tree a name is to make your experience very personal and memorable.

At different life stages, while you nurture your bonsai tree, you’ll attach memories of your journey with your tree. When it flourishes, it will fill you with excitement and give you a boost of motivation.

Besides, naming your bonsai tree will give you a more meaningful ownership sense over it than a bonsai without a name.

The name you select will say a lot about your relationship with your bonsai tree, and it can be an excellent way to bond with your bonsai plant. You can also assign a gender to your plant.

The idea is to make the entire experience very “you.”

Gives Your Plant an Identity

A bonsai plant will grow older with you. It will be there will you throughout its entire lifespan if you choose to keep it. Taking care of a bonsai tree is not a piece of cake.

There are several things you have to do to maintain it. So, it’s likely that you’ll be spending a big chunk of your day taking care of it.

This tree is a considerable part of your life. Giving it a name will provide the tree with an identity. It’s a separate entity that you can make conversations with and about. It’s very similar to how children love to give names to their toys; adults love the idea of companionship and build identities with their plants.

Confirm Your Overall Goals

Giving your bonsai tree a name will solidify your plans of being in here for the long run. If you’re struggling with committing to something, you can get a home plant first and see how that works out for you.

Getting a bonsai tree will undoubtedly test your commitment because it is a high-maintenance tree. You’ll be giving your tree a particular place to live in your home. It’ll thrive, and you’ll water it, prune it, and even repot it when it gets bigger.

Naming Your Bonsai Tree

While I can’t pick a ready-made name for your bonsai tree for authenticity reasons, I can point you in the right direction of it. Since you’ve been wondering, “What should I name my bonsai tree,” here are three things you can consider while making your tree .

Your Essence and Personality

The bonsai tree you have at home or your garden is entirely yours and your responsibility. Its name should be something that truly represents you and your personality. I advise you to name your tree something that captures how you feel about your bonsai.

You can name the tree after someone you associate good memories with or something that makes you happy. You can also find inspiration from your daily activities and hobbies, such as from books and movies.

Your Bonsai Tree’s History

Every breed of bonsai tree has a history, and you might find a name that represents your bonsai tree’s origin. You can also take how your bonsai tree looks into consideration .

It’s always incredible to name pets and plants after their backstory, and your tree would be no exception. Besides, it’s also a good conversation topic when you have guests over.

Pick a Small and Meaningful Name

A meaningful name that’s easy to remember will be the best name for your bonsai tree. Whatever name you pick will be unique and inspire you to make a connection with the tree.

If you are not sure what to pick then just know that anything goes. There are no names that specifically suit bonsai. From human names like Dave or Jonah to anything that signifies a specific time or event like the birth of your child, anything goes.

Gender of The Tree

In bonsai, there are masculine trees and feminine trees. Trees that have a girthier stature are considered masculine and it’s best if you give them a masculine name. Here are some masculine names that you can try:

  • Dan
  • Hiro
  • Krane
  • Vitus 

Trees that look a bit elegant and feminine are best named with a feminine name to complement their looks.  Here are some feminine names that I’ve personally used:

  • Niko
  • Cake
  • Aoi
  • Yui
  • Celine
  • Lika 

Conclusion

Giving your bonsai tree a name is an excellent excuse to get your creative juices flowing and have fun in the process.

I hope you now know the answer to your initial question, “What should I name my bonsai tree,” and you’re already at it. I’m sure you’ll pick something great.

Thanks for reading. Best of luck picking the best name possible for your bonsai tree. See you next time.