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Poppy
Pronounced POP-ee /ˈpɒpi/High
Meaning: The poppy flower; from Latin papaverHigh
Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data
U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.
SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.
History & Origin
Poppy is an English botanical name from the Old English popæg and ultimately from the Latin papaver (poppy). The poppy flower has been cultivated since antiquity — it appears in ancient Egyptian, Greek, and Roman art — and became associated with sleep, dreams, and remembrance. Red poppies became a worldwide symbol of Remembrance after World War I.
As a given name, Poppy is strongly associated with the United Kingdom, where it entered the top 5 girls' names in the 2010s. In the United States it has been growing rapidly, driven by British cultural influence and the broader botanical name revival.
Variations
Nicknames
Famous Bearers
- ★Poppy Montgomery (1972–present)Australian-American actress known for the TV series Without a Trace and Unforgettable.
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Frequently Asked
What does the name Poppy mean?
Poppy is an English botanical name from the poppy flower, ultimately from Latin papaver. It also carries symbolic meanings of sleep, dreams, and remembrance.
How do you pronounce Poppy?
It is said POP-ee /ˈpɒpi/ — two syllables, stress on the first.
Is Poppy a boy or girl name?
Poppy is used almost exclusively as a girls' name.
How popular is Poppy?
Poppy is in the U.K. top 10 for girls and has been rising steadily in the U.S. top 300.