Senna

Senna is the name of a group of flowering plants, many known for their yellow blooms. The botanical word has a long history through Arabic and later European plant terminology. As a given name, it offers a direct connection with plants rather than needing to be a shortened form of another personal name.

The name also has a separate sporting association through Brazilian racing driver Ayrton Senna, whose surname became internationally familiar. A family inspired by the driver may therefore tell a different story from one choosing the botanical name. Some senna plants are used medicinally, another established use of the word. The plant and surname associations are more secure explanations than treating every Senna as an Arabic name meaning brightness.