Liana

Meaning: (To Twine Around, Name of a Vine common to Tropical Rain Forests, Also short form of names like Liliana and Juliana or a variant of Eliana.

A tropical drift seed, commonly called a sea bean. This bean is, in fact, a seed produced by a giant legume, called a liana. The Concise Oxford Dictionary defines “liana” as “a woody climbing plant that hangs from trees, especially in tropical rainforests.” It uses its tendrils to climb up its host tree—sometimes as high as 100 feet [30 m] above the forest floor. This plant is widely distributed along coasts and rivers in central and western Africa, Colombia, the West Indies, and Central America. In Costa Rica, where arboreal monkeys use it to travel from treetop to treetop, it is known as the monkey ladder.

Measuring up to two and a half inches [6 cm] across, the seed starts its life in a huge pod hanging from its support tree. This large seedpod can grow up to six feet [2 m] in length. It is made up of rounded segments containing one seed each. These are separated by a thin groove. As with many common beans, when the seedpod first forms, it is soft and green. But as it ripens, the pod hardens, becoming dry and heavy. It also turns brown and begins to look woody.

Eventually, because of its increased weight, the seedpod drops off into the river or sea. As the pod floats away, its individual sections break off. Now each seed with its protective casing starts its own journey. Some seeds may get bogged down and grow in the mud along a riverbank. Many, however, will float downriver, sometimes traveling hundreds of miles to an estuary. If a seed journeys through groups of islands, a tide may catch it and wash it onto a nearby beach. *Awake! 2004, Watchtower Library CD Rom, Jehovah’s Witnesses*)

Origin: (French, Italian, Porteguese, Romanian, English)

Pronunciation: (lee-AHN-ah)

Gender: Female

I was looking up the name Lael *see on list of posts* and I saw people liked this name too on the site I visited. As I am a fan of Eliana *see on list of posts* and I intend to some day name a daughter Eliana I looked at Liana and really like it. If I name a daughter Eliana then Liana would be a cute nickname as I have been thinking about nicknames beyond Elle and Ellie. Of course Liana and Elia tie for possible nickname possibilities for Eliana. :~)

As for Liana as a name in a novel I would like to see it more often. It has a unique flare without being too odd. It is generally pronounceable and has a very beautiful foreign-esque look which I love.

Also it has a strong meaning as in reference to a tropical vine. So as a baby name it could be given to a strong little girl. The seeds of the vine travel on quite an interesting journey so perhaps a little girl came into the parent’s life unexpectedly but pleasantly and is a strong hardy little thing with a mind of her own.