Calista is a unique and captivating feminine given name of Greek origin. Its derivation comes from the Greek word "kalos," which means "beautiful." Therefore, Calista signifies "the most beautiful one" or "fairest." This name has been popular throughout history due to its association with notable figures in mythology and literature.
In Greek mythology, Calista was a nymph who caught the attention of Zeus. She became pregnant with his child, and this led to her being transformed into a bear by Hera, Zeus's wife. Their son, Arcas, grew up unaware of his divine lineage but later encountered his mother in the form of a bear during a hunt. In some versions of the myth, Zeus intervened by placing them both among the stars as the constellations Ursa Major (the Great Bear) and Ursa Minor (the Little Bear).
The name Calista also appears in literature. In Shakespeare's play "The Two Gentlemen of Verona," one of the characters is named Valentine's love interest, Calista. This further popularized the name among English-speaking populations.
In recent times, Calista has gained popularity as a modern name choice due to its unique sound and beautiful meaning. It has been ranked among the top 1000 names for girls in several countries, including the United States. Despite its increasing popularity, Calista remains a distinctive and elegant name option that stands out from more common choices.
In summary, Calista is a captivating Greek name with a rich history dating back to ancient mythology. Its meaning, "the most beautiful one," makes it an appealing choice for parents seeking a unique yet meaningful name for their daughter.
The name Calista has seen a significant increase in popularity over the past few decades in the United States. While only 7 babies were named Calista in 1894 and 1895, this number remained relatively stable until the early 1900s when it began to fluctuate more widely.
From 1912 onwards, there was a steady rise in the number of girls named Calista, with peaks such as 20 births in 1916 and 19 births in 1918. This trend continued into the 1940s and 1950s, although the numbers were still modest.
However, starting from the late 1970s, there was a notable surge in popularity for the name Calista. In 1973, there were 26 births, which more than doubled to 68 by 1977. The 1980s and 1990s saw further growth, with peaks of 43 births in 1997 and 323 births in 1998.
The peak popularity for the name Calista occurred at the turn of the millennium, with 490 births recorded in 1999. This high level was maintained into the early 2000s, with numbers still well above the historic average even as recently as 2007 (264 births).
While the popularity of Calista has since declined from its peak, it remains a widely recognized and used name in the United States. As of 2023, over 7200 babies have been named Calista in total, demonstrating its enduring appeal.