Cleopatra is a unique and captivating female name of Greek origin. It comes from the Greek word "Kleopatra," which is composed of two elements: "kleos" meaning "glory" or "fame," and "patrios" meaning "of one's fathers." Therefore, the literal translation of Cleopatra is "glorious ancestor."
The name Cleopatra has been made famous by its most notable bearer, Cleopatra VII Philopator, who was the last pharaoh of Ancient Egypt. Born around 69 BCE, she ruled Egypt from 51 to 30 BCE and is celebrated for her intelligence, ambition, and political acumen. Cleopatra VII is known for being the lover of Julius Caesar and Mark Antony, two powerful Roman leaders. Her tragic love story with Antony has inspired numerous artworks, books, and films throughout history.
Despite its association with one remarkable historical figure, Cleopatra was not an uncommon name in ancient times. It was often given to female members of Ptolemaic dynasty, the Greek-speaking rulers of Egypt who claimed descent from Alexander the Great. Thus, the name Cleopatra has a rich historical heritage and has been carried by many influential women throughout history.
Today, Cleopatra remains a unique and intriguing name choice for parents looking for an distinctive moniker with deep historical roots. It is often associated with the grandeur, glamour, and mystique of ancient Egypt and its most famous pharaoh.
Cleopatra is a rare and unique name, with only five babies being named Cleopatra each year in the United States since 1936. Despite its rarity, this name has maintained some level of popularity over the years, with no year having more than seven births recorded. The most popular year for the name Cleopatra was in 2008 and 2009 when eight babies were named Cleopatra each year. However, since then, the number of births with the name Cleopatra has decreased steadily, with only two births recorded in 2019. Overall, there have been a total of 367 babies named Cleopatra in the United States since 1936, which is quite remarkable for such a rare and unique name.