Find out how popular the first name Cupid has been for the last 43 years (from 1981 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Cupid by gender

Based on the last 43 years of data, Cupid is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 5 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Cupid.

The history of the first name Cupid

Cupid is a given name with its roots in the Roman mythology and Latin language. It originated from the Latin word "cupido," which means desire or love. The name refers to the Roman god of love, who was depicted as a winged boy with a bow and arrows.

The earliest known reference to Cupid can be found in the writings of the ancient Roman poet Ovid, who lived from 43 BC to 17 AD. In his famous work "Metamorphoses," Ovid described Cupid as the son of Venus, the goddess of love, and Mars, the god of war.

One of the earliest recorded individuals to bear the name Cupid was a Roman soldier named Cupid Campestris, who lived during the 1st century AD. He was mentioned in the writings of the Roman historian Suetonius.

In the Middle Ages, the name Cupid became associated with romantic love and courtly love traditions. The Italian poet Dante Alighieri (1265-1321) mentioned Cupid in his famous work "Divine Comedy," where he personified the concept of love.

During the Renaissance period, the name Cupid gained further popularity in art and literature. The Italian artist Sandro Botticelli (1445-1510) depicted Cupid in his famous painting "The Birth of Venus," which became an iconic representation of the god of love.

Another notable individual named Cupid was the English poet and playwright Ben Jonson (1572-1637), who used the name "Cupid" as a character in several of his plays, including "The Masque of Blackness" and "The Masque of Beauty."

In the 19th century, the name Cupid appeared in the works of the English Romantic poet John Keats (1795-1821), who wrote several poems inspired by the mythological figure, such as "Ode on a Grecian Urn" and "Lamia."

While the name Cupid is not as commonly used as a given name today, it has left a lasting cultural impact and remains a symbol of romantic love and desire in literature, art, and popular culture.

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 Cupid was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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