Meaning: Its source is Florentia, a Latin name meaning "Flourishing."

Nickname For: Florence

Popularity: The name Flossie ranked 726th in popularity for females of all ages in a sample of the 1990 US Census.

Though this name has fluctuated in use, it has been quietly present throughout the last century.

Narrative: The most famous bearer of this name was the founder of modern nursing, Florence Nightingale (1810-1890). This Englishwoman received her name from the city of her birth, Florence, Italy.

Known as ''the lady with the lamp,'' she led the first team of nurses to the battlefields of the Crimea in 1854. She survived a bout of fever and continued her work until the war's end. Her reputation established, she was consulted by governments all over the world, and showered with honors and accolades.