Find out how popular the first name Calliope has been for the last 39 years (from 1985 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Calliope by gender

Based on the last 39 years of data, Calliope is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 618 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Calliope.

The history of the first name Calliope

The name Calliope has its origins in Greek mythology. It derives from the Greek words "kallos" meaning beauty and "ops" meaning voice. Calliope was the name of the chief of the nine Muses in ancient Greek mythology, who presided over eloquence and epic poetry.

The earliest recorded use of the name Calliope dates back to ancient Greece, where it was a popular name among the Greeks. In ancient Greek literature, Calliope was mentioned in works such as Homer's Iliad and Odyssey, as well as Hesiod's Theogony.

One of the earliest recorded individuals with the name Calliope was Calliope of Cyzicus, a Greek poetess who lived around the 3rd century BC. Another notable figure was Calliope Syrica, a Greek woman who lived in the 1st century AD and was known for her exceptional memory.

In the Middle Ages, the name Calliope was less common but still used occasionally. One notable bearer of the name was Calliope Gemistus Pletho, a 15th-century Greek philosopher and scholar who played a significant role in the revival of Greek learning during the Renaissance.

During the Renaissance and Enlightenment periods, the name Calliope experienced a resurgence in popularity, particularly among intellectuals and artists who drew inspiration from classical Greek culture. Notable individuals with the name include Calliope Baffo, a 16th-century Venetian poet, and Calliope Simonetti, an 18th-century Italian painter.

In more recent times, the name Calliope has been used by several notable writers and artists. Calliope Tsavaliris was a 20th-century Greek actress and singer born in 1923. Calliope Wellbacher was an American painter and sculptor born in 1905. Calliope Hawkins was an English novelist and poet born in 1898.

While the name Calliope is not as common today as it once was, it has endured over the centuries, carrying with it a rich cultural heritage and associations with beauty, eloquence, and the arts.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Calliope was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Calliope, please contact us.

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