Kalliope is a rare and unique female given name of Greek origin. It is derived from the Greek word 'kalli-', which means "beautiful", and '-opê', meaning "voice". Thus, Kalliope translates to "beautiful voice".
In Greek mythology, Kalliope was one of the nine Muses, goddesses who were the patrons of the arts. She was the leader of these muses and was particularly associated with epic poetry. Her Roman counterpart was Camenia.
The name Kalliope is also associated with Mount Parnassus in Greece, where the Corycian Cave was believed to be home to the Muses. According to myth, this cave was discovered by a satyr named Marsyas who fell in love with one of the Muses, likely Kalliope herself.
Despite its beautiful meaning and rich history, Kalliope is not a particularly common name today. However, it has been used throughout history, including among members of European royalty such as Queen consort of Sweden, Victoria of Baden (1862-1930), whose full name was Victoria Sophia Wilhelmina Marianne Kalliope of Baden.
Overall, the name Kalliope offers a unique and meaningful option for parents looking for a distinctive name with a rich history and beautiful meaning.
Based on the statistics provided for the name Kalliope in the United States, we can observe several trends over time.
From 1922 to 1982, the number of babies named Kalliope was relatively low and fluctuating, with an average of about 6 births per year during this period. However, starting from 1988, there was a noticeable increase in the popularity of the name Kalliope.
In 1993, the number of births with the name Kalliope doubled to 8, and it continued to rise steadily over the next decade, reaching a peak of 20 births in 2010. Since then, the popularity of the name has continued to grow, with a significant increase in recent years:
* In 2014, there were 46 births.
* In 2015, this number increased to 65.
* By 2017, it reached 76.
* In 2021, the most recent data available, there were 104 babies named Kalliope.
Overall, from 1922 to 2023, a total of 1128 babies were born in the United States with the name Kalliope. This represents a significant increase in popularity over time, particularly since the late 1980s. It is clear that the name Kalliope has gained traction and become more widely used among parents choosing names for their daughters.