Find out how popular the first name Nausicaa has been for the last 4 years (from 2019 to 2022) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Nausicaa by gender

Based on the last 4 years of data, Nausicaa is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 2022, there were 11 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Nausicaa.

The history of the first name Nausicaa

Nausicaa is a feminine given name with origins in ancient Greek mythology and literature. The name Nausicaa is derived from the Ancient Greek word 'naus', meaning ship, and 'kaos', meaning burning or brilliant, together suggesting the meaning 'burner of ships' or 'fire ship'.

The name gained prominence in Homer's epic poem, the Odyssey, where Nausicaa is the name of the Phaeacian princess who rescues the shipwrecked hero Odysseus. In the story, she is depicted as a beautiful and virtuous young woman who aids Odysseus on his journey home to Ithaca.

The earliest recorded use of the name Nausicaa dates back to ancient Greece, where it was given to girls born into noble families, likely inspired by the character from the Odyssey. Throughout the centuries, the name has been used sporadically across various cultures influenced by Greek literature and mythology.

One notable figure in history with the name Nausicaa was Nausicaa of Thessaloniki, a Christian martyr who lived in the 4th century AD. She was born in Thessaloniki, Greece, and was executed for her faith during the reign of the Roman Emperor Maximian.

Another historically significant Nausicaa was Nausicaa Nausikaidēs, a Byzantine princess who lived in the 11th century AD. She was the daughter of the Byzantine Emperor Alexios I Komnenos and played a role in the political intrigues of the Byzantine court.

In the 16th century, Nausicaa de Ghivizzano was an Italian noblewoman and poet from the Republic of Genoa. She is known for her contributions to Renaissance literature and her patronage of the arts.

The name Nausicaa also appears in the works of later authors and artists, such as the Italian poet Torquato Tasso, who featured a character named Nausicaa in his epic poem "Gerusalemme Liberata" (Jerusalem Delivered) in the 16th century.

In more recent times, the Japanese anime film "Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind" (1984), directed by Hayao Miyazaki, helped popularize the name Nausicaa in certain regions. The film's titular character, Princess Nausicaä, was inspired by the figure from the Odyssey.

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

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

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