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

Popularity of Electra by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Electra is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 14 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Electra.

The history of the first name Electra

The name Electra has its origins in Greek mythology and literature. It comes from the Greek word "elektron," which means "amber" or "shining sun." The name is believed to have been derived from the Greek word "elektra," meaning "the bright one."

In Greek mythology, Electra was the daughter of Agamemnon, the king of Mycenae, and Clytemnestra. She played a significant role in the tragic story of the House of Atreus. After her father's murder by her mother and her mother's lover, Aegisthus, Electra helped her brother Orestes avenge their father's death.

The name Electra first appeared in ancient Greek literature, particularly in the works of the tragedians Aeschylus, Sophocles, and Euripides. In Sophocles' play "Electra," the character of Electra is portrayed as a strong and determined woman who seeks justice for her father's murder.

One of the earliest recorded examples of the name Electra can be found in the writings of the Greek historian Herodotus, who lived in the 5th century BC. Herodotus mentioned a woman named Electra in his work "The Histories."

Throughout history, several notable women have borne the name Electra. One of the most famous was Electra, the daughter of the Roman Emperor Claudius and his third wife, Valeria Messalina. She lived from around 38 AD to 63 AD.

Another Electra of note was Electra, the wife of the Roman Emperor Theodosius I, who lived from around 363 AD to 408 AD. She was known for her piety and devotion to the Christian faith.

In the 16th century, the Italian Renaissance scholar and writer Battista Guarini wrote a pastoral tragicomedy titled "Il Pastor Fido," which featured a character named Electra.

In the 19th century, the German composer Richard Strauss wrote an opera titled "Elektra," based on the Greek tragedy by Sophocles. The opera premiered in 1909 and is considered one of Strauss's most significant works.

One of the most famous modern-day Electras was Electra Waggoner Biggs, an American socialite and heiress who lived from 1912 to 2000. She was known for her extravagant lifestyle and her marriage to the wealthy oilman and rancher W.T. Waggoner.

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

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

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