Pola is a unique and captivating name of Slavic origin. It is derived from the Polish female given name Paulina, which itself comes from the Latin masculine name Paulus. Paulus is a derivative of the Latin word "paulus," meaning "small" or "humble."
The name Pola has been associated with various notable figures throughout history. One such figure is the Italian actress and sex symbol, Pola Negri (1894-1987). Born Barbara Apolonia Chalupiec in Poland, she adopted her stage name from a shortened version of her birth name's first syllable.
Another famous bearer of the name Pola is Polish-French composer Maurice Ravel's sister, Marie-Madeleine 'Pola' Ravel (1875-1954). She was an influential figure in French literature and arts, known for her literary salon that attracted many prominent artists of the time.
While not extensively used outside Slavic countries, Pola has gained some international recognition due to its association with famous individuals. It is a name that carries a unique charm and mystique, reflecting its Slavic origins and notable bearers throughout history.
The name Pola has been used inconsistently over the years in the United States, with varying numbers of babies given this name each year. Between 1911 and 2023, there were a total of 672 births registered as Pola.
The highest number of births occurred in 2020, with 17 newborn girls named Pola. Interestingly, the year before (2019) had only 9 births for this name. This significant increase suggests that Pola may have been trending among parents during this time.
However, the popularity of Pola has fluctuated significantly over the years. For instance, there were no recorded births with this name between 1954 and 1957 inclusive. Then, it resurfaced in 1958 with 7 births, only to drop back down to 5 births each year from 1959 to 1963.
The number of Pola births started to pick up again around the late 1960s and early 1970s. After fluctuating between 5 and 9 births per year during this period, there was a notable increase in popularity from the mid-2000s onwards.
From 2006 to 2014, the number of Pola births doubled each year, reaching its peak with 19 births in 2014. Since then, it has maintained a relatively consistent level of popularity, with between 8 and 17 births per year.
In conclusion, while Pola may not be one of the most common names in the United States, its usage has varied over time. Parents have shown interest in this name for their daughters, particularly since the mid-2000s.