Find out how popular the first name Galatea has been for the last 2 years (from 2004 to 2005) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Galatea by gender

Based on the last 2 years of data, Galatea is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 2005, there were 5 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Galatea.

The history of the first name Galatea

The name Galatea has its origins in Greek mythology and literature. It is derived from the ancient Greek word "galatos," which means "milk-white" or "milky white," referring to the pale complexion of the mythological figure.

Galatea first appeared in the ancient Greek myth of Pygmalion, as told by the Roman poet Ovid in his work "Metamorphoses." According to the myth, Pygmalion was a sculptor who fell in love with a statue he had carved, named Galatea. The goddess Aphrodite brought the statue to life, and Pygmalion was able to marry Galatea.

In ancient Greek literature, Galatea was also the name of a Nereid, one of the 50 sea nymphs who were the daughters of the sea god Nereus. She was mentioned in Homer's "Odyssey" and other works of Greek mythology.

One of the earliest recorded examples of the name Galatea can be found in the works of the ancient Greek poet Theocritus, who lived in the 3rd century BC. In his work "Idylls," he included a poem titled "The Cyclops," in which the character Galatea was a beautiful nymph pursued by the cyclops Polyphemus.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Galatea:

1. Galatea Borromeo (1618-1670), an Italian noblewoman and patron of the arts, known for her involvement in the construction of the Isola Bella in Lake Maggiore, Italy.

2. Galatea Cervantes (1533-1609), the daughter of the famous Spanish writer Miguel de Cervantes, author of "Don Quixote."

3. Galatea Guevara (1924-2017), a Costa Rican writer and poet, known for her work in promoting women's rights and social justice.

4. Galatea Ranzi (1718-1799), an Italian operatic soprano and composer who was highly acclaimed in her time.

5. Galatea Ubertis (1675-1738), an Italian painter active in the late Baroque period, known for her religious works and portraits.

The name Galatea has endured throughout history, appearing in various literary works, operas, and artistic representations, reflecting its mythological origins and symbolic association with beauty, art, and transformation.

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

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

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