When Today host Jenna Bush Hager introduced her daughter Poppy to the world, she shared a deeply personal and touching story behind the name. If you're curious about the meaning behind Poppy's name, it's a beautiful tribute that will warm your heart and remind you of the importance of family ties.
Unpacking the Meaning Behind Poppy's Name
On August 13, 2015, Jenna Bush Hager and her husband, Henry Hager, welcomed their first child, Poppy Louise Hager, into the world. This little bundle of joy wasn't just named randomly—Poppy’s name carries a special significance. Jenna took to Instagram to announce the birth and reveal the story behind the name.
“Welcome to the WORLD Poppy Louise Hager—named after my darling Gamps, who went by Poppy during his childhood,” Jenna wrote. “We are in LOVE.” The name is a heartfelt homage to her late grandfather, George H.W. Bush, who was thrilled by the gesture.
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In an episode of Today With Hoda & Jenna in May 2019, Jenna shared how emotional the moment was when she introduced Poppy to her grandfather. “Poppy, my wild 3-year-old, was named after her great-grandpa, my grandfather,” Jenna explained. “So I FaceTimed my parents, who were with him, and I said, ‘Gampy, meet Poppy.’”
George’s reaction was unexpected and incredibly touching. “He wasn’t expecting it, so he cried,” Jenna recalled with a smile. “And of course, I cry at everything—like Teacher Appreciation Day commercials—so I was crying over the baby, and Henry was kind of wiping the baby’s face off because there were tears in the baby’s mouth.”
Jenna Bush Hager Reflects on Her Grandfather's Legacy
In June 2017, Jenna shared a sweet photo of her grandfather holding Poppy on Instagram. The caption read, “Happy birthday Gamps! Can’t wait to celebrate.” She added, “Pictured here with one lucky girl who is named for our greatest love.”
George H.W. Bush passed away on November 20, 2018, at the age of 94. Recently, Jenna opened up on Today about the invaluable advice her grandfather gave her about life. “It reminded me of this evening I spent with my grandpa,” Jenna said, her voice cracking with emotion. “He could barely speak, and I was sitting between him. He leaned over to me and said, ‘Don’t forget to enjoy the game.’”
“It was at the end of his life and the beginning of mine, relatively,” Jenna continued, wiping away tears. “To hear someone who had done everything say, ‘Don’t forget to be in it, enjoy it, be part of it’—I’ll never forget it.”
Meet Jenna Bush Hager's Other Children
Jenna Bush Hager is not only a proud mom to Poppy but also two other children. Her eldest daughter, Mila, whose full name is Margaret Laura “Mila” Hager, was born on April 13, 2013. Mila’s middle name is a tribute to her grandmother, Laura Bush. Jenna’s third child, Henry Harold “Hal” Hager, was born on August 2, 2019, and was named after his father.
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