Meta is a unique and distinctive given name of Greek origin. It is derived from the Greek word "metis", which means wisdom or intelligence. In Greek mythology, Metis was the first wife of Zeus and the mother of Athena, the goddess of wisdom. The name has been used throughout history, but it remains relatively rare compared to many other names.
Meta was the name given to one of the nine Muses in Greek mythology, who were the goddesses of the inspiration of literature, science, and the arts. This further emphasizes the association of the name with intelligence, wisdom, and creativity.
The name Meta has also been used as a surname, particularly among Greeks, but it is more commonly found as a given name in Scandinavia, where it is most popular in Norway. In other parts of the world, such as the United States, it remains quite rare.
One notable figure with the given name Meta was Meta von Stein-Leer, a German-born American philanthropist who was known for her efforts to promote education and social welfare in the early 20th century. However, overall, there are relatively few famous figures with this name, which contributes to its distinctive and unique character.
In terms of its popularity as a given name, Meta has not typically been among the most common choices. According to data from the Social Security Administration in the United States, it has never ranked among the top 1000 names for girls since records began in 1965. However, its unique and meaningful origin may make it an appealing choice for parents looking for a distinctive name with a significant meaning.
Overall, Meta is a rare and distinctive given name of Greek origin that carries connotations of wisdom, intelligence, and creativity. Its association with Greek mythology and the muses makes it a name with a rich historical and cultural heritage, even if it remains relatively uncommon compared to many other names.
Based on the statistics provided, we can observe the trends of the name Meta in the United States from 1880 to 2021.
The name Meta experienced its peak popularity during the early 20th century. The highest number of births with the name Meta occurred in 1915 with 126 births. This was followed by another significant peak in 1917 with 117 births. It seems that the name had a particularly strong appeal around this period.
However, after the early 1930s, there was a steady decline in the number of babies named Meta. By the late 1940s and throughout the 1950s, the number of births with the name Meta remained relatively low but stable, fluctuating between 20 to 60 births per year.
In recent decades, the popularity of the name Meta has been quite rare. Between 1970 and 2021, there were fewer than 20 births each year with the name Meta. The most recent years available in the data show a slight increase in popularity, with 9 births in 2021.
In total, over the course of 142 years from 1880 to 2021, there were 6210 babies born with the name Meta in the United States. This demonstrates that while it may not be a particularly popular choice today, Meta has been given to thousands of children throughout history.