Poppy

Pronunciation: [ p-AHP-ee ]

Girl Name #338 Most Popular Rising 2 Syllables

A joyful British floral favourite with deep roots

English Australian British

Playful Vintage Whimsical Gentle Earthy

Meaning & Origin

"poppy flower"

Origin: Old English

Language: English

"from Latin papaver (poppy plant)"

Origin: Latin

Language: Latin

The Story of Poppy

Poppy comes from the Old English 'popæg,' derived ultimately from Latin 'papaver,' the word for the flowering plant of the genus Papaver. As a given name, Poppy has been used in English-speaking countries since the Victorian era, when flower names became fashionable for girls. The red poppy carries deep symbolic weight in Commonwealth countries as a memorial for soldiers who died in World War I, inspired by the poem 'In Flanders Fields' (1915).

Poppy has been a top-20 girls' name in England and Wales consistently since the mid-2000s, fueled by the broader trend of vintage floral names. It has grown rapidly in Australia as well. In the US it remains more unusual, appealing to parents seeking a British-inflected, charming alternative to more common floral names.

In Commonwealth nations, the poppy is the preeminent symbol of Remembrance Day (November 11), worn as a red paper or plastic lapel flower to honor fallen soldiers. This adds a layer of poignant meaning to the name. In other traditions, poppies represent sleep, peace, and dreams, with connections to both the field of Morpheus and Dorothy's adventures in Oz.

Fun Facts

Poppy has been a top-10 girls' name in England and Wales multiple times since 2011
The red poppy became a remembrance symbol after Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae wrote 'In Flanders Fields' in 1915
Poppy is also the name of the optimistic princess in the Trolls animated franchise

Poppy in Other Languages

French Coquelicot

German Mohnblume

Italian Papavero

Spanish Amapola

Japanese ポピー

Famous People Named Poppy

Poppy (singer)

Musician

1995

American singer and internet personality known for her avant-garde pop music and multimedia art

Poppy Montgomery

Actor

1972

Australian-American actress known for Without a Trace and Unforgettable

Princess Poppy Fictional

Other

The cheerful main character of DreamWorks' Trolls franchise, voiced by Anna Kendrick

Quick Facts

Gender: Girl
Syllables: 2
Popularity Rank: #338
Total SSA Count: 928
Cultural Origins: English Australian British
Pronunciation: Easy
Formality: Casual
Cross-Cultural Ease: High

Alternative Spellings

Poppi #3233

Common Nicknames

Pop

Pairs Well With

Poppy Rose Poppy Jane Poppy Lou Poppy Grace Poppy Mae Poppy Anne

Sibling Names

Daisy Violet Jasper Olive Archie Iris

Also a Boy Name

Poppy is also used as a boy name, ranked #35914.

View Poppy as a boy name →

Similar Names

Maggie Mollie Ollie Pauline Millie Winnie Polly Dolly

Playground Safety

Kid-Friendly

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Frequently Asked Questions About Poppy

What does the name Poppy mean?

"poppy flower" (from Old English). "from Latin papaver (poppy plant)" (from Latin). Poppy comes from the Old English 'popæg,' derived ultimately from Latin 'papaver,' the word for the flowering plant of the genus Papaver. As a given name, Poppy has been used in English-speaking countries since the Victorian era, when flower names became fashionable for girls. The red poppy carries deep symbolic weight in Commonwealth countries as a memorial for soldiers who died in World War I, inspired by the poem 'In Flanders Fields' (1915).

What is the origin of the name Poppy?

Poppy has Old English, Latin, English, Australian, and British origins. In Old English, it means "poppy flower". In Latin, it means "from Latin papaver (poppy plant)".

Is Poppy a boy or girl name?

Poppy is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #338. As a boy name, it is ranked #35914. Poppy is more commonly used as a girl name.

How do you pronounce Poppy?

Poppy is pronounced p-AHP-ee.

How popular is the name Poppy?

Poppy is currently ranked #338 in popularity for girl names in the United States.

What are common nicknames for Poppy?

Common nicknames for Poppy include Pop.

What are good middle names for Poppy?

Popular middle name pairings include Poppy Rose, Poppy Jane, Poppy Lou, Poppy Grace, Poppy Mae, and Poppy Anne.

What are good sibling names for Poppy?

Names that pair well with Poppy as siblings include Daisy, Violet, Jasper, Olive, Archie, and Iris.

How many syllables does Poppy have?

Poppy has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.

Is Poppy a common or rare name?

Poppy is a popular name, ranked #338 for girls. It is well-known without being overused.

About the Name Poppy

Poppy is a girl name with English, Australian, and British origins . The name means "poppy flower" in Old English .

Is Poppy a boy or girl name? Poppy is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #338 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #35,914. Poppy is more commonly used as a girl name.

Poppy is currently ranked #338 in popularity for girl names in the United States.

The name Poppy has 2 syllables and is pronounced p-AHP-ee, making it easy to pronounce and remember.

Common nicknames for Poppy include Pop. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.

Alternative spellings of Poppy include Poppi . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.