Fun Facts About the Name Thistle
- 15 babies named Thistle: U.S. records list 15 babies given the name Thistle from 1880 through 2025.
What Does the Name Thistle Mean?
Thistle is an English word name meaning "thistle," the prickly plant. The word goes back to Old English þistel, a Germanic plant name that continued in Middle English as thistel; related forms include German Distel and Dutch distel. Its literal sense is the plant itself, not an abstract quality or a translation of a separate personal name.
The thistle's later use as an emblem of Scotland is a symbolic association of the plant and does not alter the word's basic meaning.
Thistle Name History & Origins
The plant name is recorded in Old English as þistel and in Middle English as thistel and thistil. It belongs to a Germanic family of plant words, with cognates such as German Distel and Dutch distel. The modern spelling thistle reflects the standard English development of the word.
As a personal name, Thistle is uncommon. It is used as a word name taken directly from the plant, and the same word also occurs as an English surname. Its use as a given name belongs to the English practice of drawing personal names from ordinary nouns, especially plant names, but Thistle remains rare and has no separate etymology from the plant word.
The thistle is also the national emblem of Scotland and gives its name to the Order of the Thistle, a Scottish order of chivalry. That royal and national symbolism is a cultural association of the plant rather than a distinct source for the personal name.
How Popular is the Name Thistle?
Thistle has historically been an exceptionally rare given name in the United States, remaining well outside the national mainstream. It saw its highest recorded annual births in 2025. Its best rank was #17,050 in 2025.
U.S. name popularity from 1880-2025, based on SSA data. Rank shows how the name compares with other names - lower numbers mean greater popularity. Births shows how many babies received the name each year.
| Year | Rank | Births | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | #17,050 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 2023 | #17,379 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 2012 | #19,303 | 5 | 0.0003% |
Name popularity over more than a century, based on Social Security Administration data. Gaps in the chart indicate years when the name does not appear in the published records.
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How the Name Thistle Shapes Your Personality and Life?
You like to control everyone within your influence, to shape things to your own liking. If positive, you develop high spirituality, as you have a God's protection. You are sensitive, affectionate, imaginative and cooperative, spiritually aware and prone to self-sacrifice. You can keep secrets and are a good diplomat. You may have healing and psychic powers. You are intuitive and might be interested in the arts, drama or science.
Creative and outgoing, you are always looking for an opportunity to show your abilities, especially before audience. You are very flexible and like to feel appreciated. You are looking for chances to mix with others socially and to communicate your ideas. You like to talk and can easily relate to different cultures and concepts. The biggest challenge for you is uncertainty. Easily getting bored, you can move from one job to another, switch projects and lovers. The high creative force can lead you either to happiness or unhappiness. If you understand your goals, if you can make major decisions in life and follow it directly and straight up without worry and uncertainty, you are able to achieve great heights.
✦ Thistle's Deeper Meaning & Tips for Parents Discover Thistle's symbolic numbers and practical tips for choosing a name that complements your child's birth date.