Clytie is a unique and distinctive feminine given name of Greek origin. It is derived from the Greek word "Klytios," which means "famous" or "glorious." According to Greek mythology, Clytie was one of the Oceanids, a group of nymphs who were daughters of the Titan Oceanus and his wife Tethys.
In ancient Greek literature, Clytie appears in various works. She is mentioned in Homer's Odyssey as one of the Oceanids who receives hospitality from the god Helios. However, Clytie is best known for her role in the myth of Helios and Persephone. According to this myth, Clytie was a daughter of Oceanus and Tethys who fell deeply in love with Helios, the Titan god of the sun.
Unfortunately, Helios did not return Clytie's affections, preferring instead to pursue his marriage with Persephone, the daughter of Demeter and Zeus. Heartbroken by her unrequited love for Helios, Clytie spent seven days mourning him on the beach, staring at the sun as it traveled across the sky each day.
Her devotion was so great that she eventually turned into a sunflower (heliotrope in Greek), forever turning her head towards the sun in pursuit of Helios. In some versions of the myth, Clytie is transformed by Helios himself as a reward for her faithfulness and devotion to him.
The name Clytie is not particularly common today, but it has been used throughout history. Notable individuals named Clytie include Clytie Jessop, a Canadian pianist and composer who was active in the early 20th century, and Clytie Lane, an American actress who appeared in several films during the silent era.
In summary, Clytie is a rare and distinctive feminine given name of Greek origin that means "famous" or "glorious." It is associated with Clytie, one of the Oceanids from Greek mythology, whose tragic love for Helios resulted in her transformation into a sunflower. Despite its rarity today, the name Clytie has been used throughout history by notable individuals and continues to hold cultural significance.
The name Clytie appears to have had some popularity among parents in the United States during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, with a total of 301 births recorded over several decades.
From 1886 to 1948, there were years where the name Clytie was given to more than five babies. The highest number of births in a single year was 18 in 1916, indicating that this was likely the peak popularity of the name during this period.
However, it's interesting to note that the name Clytie seemed to fall out of favor relatively quickly after its initial popularity. After 1929, there were only seven years where more than five babies were named Clytie, and in some years, there were as few as one or two births with this name.
Overall, while Clytie was not a hugely popular name in the United States during this period, it did have some moments of popularity, particularly in the early 1900s. It's always fascinating to see how trends in baby names change over time!