Find out how popular the first name Eureka has been for the last 49 years (from 1974 to 2022) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Eureka by gender

Based on the last 49 years of data, Eureka is more commonly used as a female name, with approximately 99% of people named Eureka being female.

For the most recent data in 2022, there were 7 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Eureka.

The history of the first name Eureka

The name Eureka is an ancient Greek exclamation that literally translates to "I have found it!" It is derived from the verb "ευρίσκω" (heuriskō), meaning "to find or discover." This expression is closely associated with the legendary anecdote of the Greek mathematician Archimedes, who is said to have exclaimed "Eureka!" after discovering the principle of buoyancy while taking a bath.

Eureka has been used as a given name since ancient times, though its popularity has varied across different cultures and periods. In ancient Greece, the name was sometimes used as a celebratory exclamation, but it was not commonly given as a personal name. The earliest known record of Eureka as a personal name dates back to the 3rd century BC, when it was borne by a Greek woman named Eureka of Crete.

Throughout history, the name Eureka has been associated with moments of discovery, innovation, and intellectual breakthroughs. In the 16th century, the renowned English mathematician and astronomer Thomas Harriot (c. 1560-1621) used the word "Eureka" to express his joy and satisfaction upon solving a complex mathematical problem.

One of the most famous individuals named Eureka was Eureka Stockton (1804-1886), an American philanthropist and abolitionist from Philadelphia. She was actively involved in the Underground Railroad and worked tirelessly to assist enslaved people in their pursuit of freedom. Another notable figure was Eureka Woodhull (1838-1927), an American leader of the women's suffrage movement and the first woman to run for President of the United States in 1872.

In the realm of literature, the name Eureka appeared in the work of American author Edgar Allan Poe. His short story "The Purloined Letter" (1844) featured a character named C. Auguste Dupin, who had a remarkable talent for solving mysteries and often exclaimed "Eureka!" upon cracking a case.

Other notable individuals with the name Eureka include Eureka Driggers (1884-1979), an American artist and illustrator known for her paintings depicting rural life in the American South, and Eureka Paus (1903-1996), a Norwegian politician and one of the earliest female members of the Storting, the Norwegian parliament.

While the name Eureka is not as common today as it once was, it remains a unique and intriguing choice, evoking a sense of discovery, innovation, and intellectual curiosity.

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

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

Reference this page

We spend a lot of resources downloading, cleaning, merging, and formatting the data that is shown on the site.

If you found the data or information on this page useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly cite or reference Name Census as the source. We appreciate your support!