Apollonia is a unique and elegant female name of Greek origin. Its roots can be traced back to the ancient Greek god Apollo, who was known for his prophetic powers, music, and light. The name Apollonia itself means "destroyer of men" in Greek, which may sound somewhat intimidating, but it is important to note that this meaning is often associated with the mythological figure of Apollonia, a witch or sorceress who could supposedly curse her enemies.
Despite its potentially ominous connotation, Apollonia has been used throughout history as a given name for women. It was particularly popular in the Byzantine Empire and can be found among the names of several Eastern Orthodox saints. One notable example is Saint Apollonia, a martyr who suffered during the Roman persecution of Christians in the 3rd century AD.
In literature, Apollonia has appeared as a character in various works. In George Bernard Shaw's play "Pygmalion," the protagonist Eliza Doolittle has a friend named Clara "Clara" Apollonia who is described as having a strong personality and being somewhat of a rebel.
Today, Apollonia remains a rare but captivating name choice for parents looking to give their daughter an unusual and meaningful name with deep historical roots. While it may not be as commonly used as some other names of Greek origin, such as Athena or Cassandra, Apollonia offers a unique opportunity to honor the rich cultural heritage of ancient Greece while bestowing upon one's child a distinctive and memorable name.
The name Apollonia has been given to a total of 670 babies born in the United States over the past century and a half, with its popularity varying greatly from year to year.
In the early 20th century, there were relatively few instances of the name being chosen for newborn girls. Only six births were recorded in 1895, followed by seven births each in 1915 and 1916, and another seven in 1918.
The name Apollonia did not gain significant popularity until much later. It was not until the mid-1980s that the number of births began to increase steadily. In 1984, there were 28 newborn girls named Apollonia, marking a significant jump from previous years.
This trend continued into the late 1980s and early 1990s, with the highest numbers recorded being 67 births in 1985 and 53 births in 1986. However, the popularity of the name Apollonia began to decline after this period.
From 1993 onwards, the number of newborn girls named Apollonia fluctuated greatly from year to year. In some years, such as 1993 and 2023, there were only five births recorded. Conversely, there were years with higher numbers, such as 2011 and 2022, when 21 babies each were named Apollonia.
Most recently, the name Apollonia has seen a resurgence in popularity, with 24 births recorded in both 2022 and 2023. This suggests that the name may once again be gaining favor among parents choosing names for their newborn daughters.