The baby name Amapola is long, lovely, and connected to the natural world.
Thanks to Melissa for suggesting our Baby Name of the Day.
WHAT DOES THE NAME AMAPOLA MEAN?
Amapola’s meaning is straightforward: it’s the Spanish word for poppy.
Poppies have plenty of meaning across cultures.
In The Wizard of Oz, they put Dorothy and her friends to sleep, slowing them from reaching the Emerald City. The flowers serve a similar purpose in Wicked.
Poppies have been associated with rest since ancient days.
During the twentieth century, they came to be strongly associated with remembrance and courage, thanks to the the post-World War I poem “In Flanders Field.”
They’re also cheerful and upbeat, often with a vibrant, red color. California named a golden poppy its state flower.
So it’s a straight-up nature name, only in Spanish. That puts it in the company of Luna and Paloma, too.
Pronounce it with the emphasis on the third syllable: am ah POL ah.
AMAPOLA IN POP CULTURE
But how – and when – did Amapola become a given name?
It has a melodic quality, and in fact, it’s the title of a song. Composed in 1920 by Spanish American Joseph Lacalle – born José María Lacalle García – it’s had more than one set of lyrics, in Spanish, English, and French. The original 1937 English language lyrics make it clear that Amapola refers to a love interest:
I love you, my beloved girl
Just as the flower loves the light of day
The song is used for the 1984 movie Once Upon a Time in America, but without lyrics.
Still, this seems to have established Amapola as a girl’s name.
Fast-forward to 2014, and Argentine movie Amapola also gave the name to a woman. It’s a film by Academy Award-winning director Eugenio Zanetti about time travel and true love.
There’s also a Filipina singer known as Amapola.
POPULAR POPPY
In England, flower name Poppy became a fast-rising favorite during the 1990s.
In the US, it entered the Top 1000 in 2016, climbing rapidly.
Poppy seems to have side-stepped a possible problematic association with the name. One type of poppy is the source of opium and morphine. But in English, this name sounds cheerful and upbeat, without a hint of anything darker. It seems to be equally true for the Spanish form of the name.
HIGH-PROFILE AMAPOLA
Professional baseball player Francisco Lindor and wife Katia welcomed daughter Amapola Chloé in 2023. Her older sister is Kalina Zoé, and baby brother is Koa Amani.
HOW POPULAR IS THE NAME AMAPOLA?
Despite the popularity of Poppy, the first name Amapola has yet to catch on.
The United States Social Security Administration has never recorded the name. That means it’s pretty uncommon. Not only does it fail to rank in the US Top 1000, it’s never been given to even five girls in a single year.
That makes this a rarely heard name, indeed.
Variants, like Amapolla and Amapollah, are even rarer still.
WHAT ABOUT POL?
It’s worth noting that Pol is a form of Paul heard in several European languages. It’s tempting to connect the meaning of Amapola to Paul and Pol, but it’s just not true.
As for silent film star Pola Negri? She was born Apolonia.
FLOWER POWER POSSIBILITY
There’s plenty of energy and vitality to this vibrant red bloom. With Spanish origins, it might be the perfect heritage pick. Nearly any beautiful flower name has potential as a child’s name today, but the baby name Amapola feels especially promising.
A long and lovely choice, Amapola could be the perfect name for parents after something surprising and meaningful, too.
