Efigenia is a unique and beautiful name of Greek origin. It is derived from the Greek word "efigeneia," which means "born from the sea." According to mythology, Efigenia was the daughter of King Athamas of Boeotia and his second wife, Ino. She was eventually sacrificed by her stepmother, who tricked her into believing that she would be purified in a sacred ritual.
The name Efigenia is not very common today, but it has been used throughout history. It was popular among the ancient Greeks and was later adopted by other cultures as well. Despite its tragic association with the myth of King Athamas, Efigenia remains a powerful and meaningful name that evokes images of strength, beauty, and connection to the sea.
In some variations of the myth, Efigenia is also associated with the goddess Artemis, who was known for her role as a protector of young girls and women. This further adds to the symbolic significance of the name, which represents purity, innocence, and divine protection.
Overall, Efigenia is a unique and meaningful name with a rich history dating back to ancient Greek mythology. It is a beautiful choice for parents looking for an uncommon yet significant name for their daughter.
The name Efigenia has seen a resurgence in popularity over the years in the United States. In the early decades of the last century, its usage was quite scarce with only five babies named Efigenia born in 1924. However, fast forward to four decades later and the trend began to change as another five girls were given this distinctive name in 1980.
Although these numbers might seem small compared to some other popular names of the time or even today's standards, it is notable that there were no recorded births with the name Efigenia between 1925 and 1979. This suggests a revival of interest in this unique name during the period from 1980 onwards.
In total, over the course of these two decades, ten girls have been named Efigenia in the United States. This figure represents a modest but steady presence of the name in American culture and history.