Argo
Swift ancient Greek sailing vessel or mythological ship.
Name Census estimates that about 19 living Americans carry the first name Argo. The name is used almost exclusively for boys. The average person named Argo today is around 7 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Argo births was 2024 (9 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Argo. Below you will find a gender breakdown showing how the name splits between male and female registrations, a year-by-year popularity chart stretching back to 1880, decade-level totals, the top US states for this name, its meaning and etymology, and a set of frequently asked questions with data-backed answers.
Key insights
- • Fewer than 100 living Americans are believed to carry the name Argo. It is among the rarest names in the SSA records.
People living today
19
~ 1 in 18,039,702 Americans
Peak year
2024
9 babies that year
Average age
7
years old
2024 SSA rank
#8,340
Tracked since 1912
Popularity
Argo: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Argo from the 1910s through to the 2020s, spanning 3 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 1910s, with 22 total registrations. Although the numbers have come down from the 1910s peak, Argo remains solidly in use and shows no sign of disappearing from maternity wards.
Babies born per year
Decades
Argo by decade
The table below breaks the full SSA timeline into ten-year windows. Each row shows how many male and female babies were given the name Argo during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
Origin
Meaning and history of Argo
The given name Argo has its origins in Greek mythology, where it was the name of the famous ship that carried Jason and the Argonauts on their quest for the Golden Fleece. The name Argo is believed to be derived from the Greek word "argos," meaning "swift" or "shining," referring to the ship's speed and splendor.
In ancient Greek literature, the Argo is prominently featured in the epic poem "Argonautica" by Apollonius of Rhodes, which recounts the voyage of Jason and his crew. The ship's construction was overseen by the skilled shipwright Argus, and it was renowned for its exceptional craftsmanship and ability to navigate treacherous waters.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Argo in history is in the writings of the Greek historian Herodotus, who lived in the 5th century BC. He mentioned the Argo in relation to the Argonauts' journey and the mythological tales surrounding it.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Argo. One example is Argo Scholasticus (circa 10th century AD), a Byzantine scholar and grammarian who wrote commentaries on ancient Greek literature, including works by Homer and Euripides.
Another prominent figure was Argo Gonzales (1853-1942), a Spanish painter and illustrator known for his vibrant depictions of Spanish culture and landscapes. His works showcased the rich traditions and daily life of his homeland.
In the field of astronomy, Argo Navis was the name given to a large constellation in the southern celestial hemisphere, representing the ship Argo from Greek mythology. The constellation was later divided into smaller constellations, but its association with the legendary vessel remains.
One of the most famous individuals named Argo was Argo Plant (1889-1983), an American architect who played a significant role in the development of Art Deco style architecture in the United States. He designed several iconic buildings, including the Gulf Building in Houston and the Tampa Theatre in Florida.
Argo Nau (1920-1995) was a German Olympic athlete who competed in rowing events during the 1952 and 1956 Summer Olympics. He won a bronze medal in the coxless fours event in 1952, contributing to Germany's success in the sport.
These are just a few examples of individuals throughout history who have borne the name Argo, which has its roots in the rich tapestry of Greek mythology and literature, and has been associated with themes of adventure, exploration, and craftsmanship.
People
Argo + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Argo as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.
Related
Other names starting with A
Other first names starting with A with a similar number of bearers.
FAQ
Argo: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Argo?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 19 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Argo going back to 1880 and adjusting each cohort for expected survival using CDC actuarial life tables. The result is an age-weighted living-bearer count, not a raw birth total. That works out to about 1 in 18,039,702 US residents.
Is Argo a common name?
We classify Argo as "Very Rare". It ranks above 39.1% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 41 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Argo most popular?
The single biggest year for Argo was 2024, when 9 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Argo is about 7 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
What does the SSA popularity chart show?
The chart tracks births, not the number of people alive with the name today. Each point shows how many babies were given the name Argo in that year. That makes it useful for spotting when the name rose, peaked, or faded.
Is Argo a male name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Argo in the SSA data are male. You can see the full per-sex comparison in the gender distribution section above, which includes the latest year rank, birth count, and peak year for each sex.
Is Argo still being used today?
Yes. The SSA still recorded Argo in 2024, and the page above shows its latest-year rank where available. A name can be well past its peak and still remain in steady use, especially if it built up a large population over earlier decades.
Why can a name have a lot of living bearers even if it is not trendy now?
Because living-bearer counts and current baby-name popularity measure different things. A name like Argo can build up a very large population over many decades, even if fewer parents are choosing it now than they did at its peak.
Where does this data come from?
First-name figures come from the Social Security Administration's national baby name files, which cover every name on a birth certificate from 1880 to 2024. Living-bearer estimates layer in CDC actuarial life tables broken out by sex to account for mortality. The population baseline (342,754,338) is the Census Bureau's latest national estimate. You can read the full calculation on our methodology page.
Does every first name have Census demographic data?
No. The public Census first-name release only covers names that met the Bureau's publication rules, so many rarer names in the SSA files do not have a published Census demographic snapshot. In those cases, the page still shows the SSA trend, gender history, and state data.
How many people share the name Argo?
Want to know how many people share the name Argo? HowManyOfMe.org, our sister site, puts the living-bearer count front and centre.