Definition of "Violet"

It may be as well to say, by way of parenthesis, that her real name was Violante,―at least, such was the name by which her mother had her christened. But her father thought it much too long, and said it was better to call her Violet.

1836, Marian Dora Malet Beasley, Violet Woodville, Carey, Lea & Blanchard, page 16

Her Pakeha name was Violet, and everybody called her that because her Maori name was too long. And my Nanny, she was just like a violet; shy and small and hiding her face in her petals if the sun blazed too strong.

1972, Witi Ihimaera, Pounamu, Pounamu, Heinemann, page 111

My name is Violet Brown. - - - If I sound colorful, I am not. It's nought but a pair of names, stamped on me by two people who never met. First, my mother. She was fond of romantic novels with "Violets" in them.

2009, Barbara Kingsolver, The Lacuna, Faber and Faber, page 262