Callista is a feminine given name of Greek origin. It comes from the ancient Greek word "kallistos", which means "most beautiful". The name was used in ancient Greece as an epithet for the goddess Hera, who was known as Callisto among other names.
The name Callista has been popular throughout history, with several notable figures sharing this name. One of the most well-known is Saint Callista, a Christian martyr who was beheaded during the reign of Emperor Aurelian in the 3rd century AD. She is venerated as a saint by both the Eastern Orthodox Church and the Roman Catholic Church.
Despite its ancient origins, the name Callista has not been particularly common throughout history. However, it has seen a resurgence in popularity in recent years, particularly in English-speaking countries such as the United States and Australia. Today, Callista is often chosen as a given name for girls due to its unique sound and beautiful meaning.
In summary, Callista is a feminine given name of Greek origin that means "most beautiful". It has been used throughout history by several notable figures, including Saint Callista, and has seen a resurgence in popularity in recent years. Despite its ancient origins, the name remains a unique and beautiful choice for girls today.
The name Callista has a fascinating history of usage in the United States, as indicated by these statistics. Although it was not commonly used in the early 20th century, with fewer than 10 births per year between 1914 and 1932, it began to gain traction in the 1950s and 1960s, with around 5 births per year during those decades.
The name's popularity truly took off in the late 1970s and early 1980s, with a significant increase in births each year. In fact, there were 28 births in 1984 alone, marking a substantial jump from previous years. This trend continued throughout the 1980s, with over 20 births per year on average.
The peak of Callista's popularity came in the late 1990s and early 2000s, with record-breaking numbers of babies named Callista. The year 1998 saw an impressive 105 births, followed by an even higher number of 137 births in 1999. This decade also saw the highest total number of Callista births, with over 500 in the United States alone.
However, like many names, Callista's popularity has since decreased. After peaking in the early 2000s, the number of births per year began to decline steadily. In recent years, there have been around 40-60 births of girls named Callista annually.
Despite this decrease in popularity, it is clear that the name Callista has had a notable presence in the United States for several decades now. With over 2400 babies named Callista since 1914, this unique and beautiful name continues to be a popular choice among parents looking for something distinctive and memorable.