Find out how popular the first name Ithaca has been for the last 1 years (from 2017 to 2017) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Ithaca by gender

Based on the last 1 years of data, Ithaca is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 2017, there were 5 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Ithaca.

The history of the first name Ithaca

The name Ithaca is derived from the Greek island of Ithaca, one of the Ionian Islands located in the Ionian Sea. The island is believed to be the home of the legendary hero Odysseus, the central figure in Homer's epic poem, the Odyssey, which is thought to have been written around the 8th century BC.

Ithaca is believed to have been named after the mythical nymph Ithaca, the daughter of Priam, the last king of Troy. According to Greek mythology, Ithaca was the mother of the Lesbian poet Terpander, who is considered one of the earliest lyric poets of ancient Greece, born around 676 BC.

One of the earliest recorded uses of the name Ithaca is found in the works of the ancient Greek historian Herodotus, who lived in the 5th century BC. He mentions the island of Ithaca in his writings, referring to it as the homeland of Odysseus.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Ithaca. Ithaca of Lesbos (c. 600 BC) was a Greek lyric poet and one of the earliest known female poets in ancient literature. Ithaca of Syracuse (c. 400 BC) was a Greek philosopher and mathematician who is credited with the invention of the cissoid curve.

In more recent times, Ithaca Diehl (1864-1944) was an American painter and etcher known for her landscapes and portraits. Ithaca Stern (1892-1957) was a Swiss-American actress and singer who appeared in several Broadway productions and films in the early 20th century. Ithaca College in Ithaca, New York, was founded in 1892 and named after the island of Ithaca, further perpetuating the name's legacy.

While the name Ithaca is not as common as some other names, it has a rich historical and literary heritage that has been preserved throughout the centuries, serving as a reminder of the enduring influence of Greek mythology and the epic tales of Homer.

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

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

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