Find out how popular the first name Echo has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Echo by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Echo is more commonly used as a female name, with approximately 92% of people named Echo being female.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 136 female babies and 32 male babies born with the name Echo.

Yes—according to the SSA data, 32 baby boys were named Echo in 2023, despite it being a predominantly female name. We'd love to know why!

The history of the first name Echo

The name Echo has its origins in Greek mythology, where it was the name given to an Oread nymph. The word "echo" itself comes from the Greek ēchō, meaning "sound" or "to resound." In Greek mythology, Echo was a talkative nymph who was cursed by Hera to only repeat the last words spoken to her, after she intentionally distracted the goddess to prevent her from discovering Zeus's affairs.

The earliest recorded use of the name Echo can be traced back to ancient Greek literature, such as Ovid's Metamorphoses, where the story of Echo and Narcissus is recounted. In this tale, Echo falls in love with the beautiful Narcissus, but her curse prevents her from expressing her feelings directly. Narcissus ultimately rejects her, leading to her eventual demise as she wastes away until only her voice remains.

Throughout history, the name Echo has been used by various individuals, though not as commonly as some other names. One notable bearer of the name was Echo Hawk, a Native American activist and actress born in 1948. She was part of the American Indian Movement and played a role in the occupation of Alcatraz Island in 1969.

Another famous Echo was Echo Chernik, a Russian-American dancer and choreographer born in 1909. She was a pioneer in the field of modern dance and founded the Echo Chernik Dance Company in New York City.

In literature, one of the most well-known characters named Echo is from the novel "The Cry of the Sloth" by Sam Savage, published in 2009. Echo is the protagonist of the story, an eccentric and reclusive woman who becomes obsessed with sloths.

Other notable individuals named Echo include Echo Everly, an American singer and songwriter born in 1986, and Echo Sackey, a Ghanaian actress and television personality born in 1987.

While not as common as some other names, Echo has a rich history rooted in Greek mythology and has been carried by individuals from various cultures and backgrounds throughout the centuries.

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

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

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