Cameo is a unique and distinctive female given name of Greek origin. Its meaning is derived from the Greek word 'kameō', which translates to "free born" or "one with a crown". The name Cameo also has historical significance, as it was popularized by the Roman Emperor Caligula who named one of his favorite horses "Incitatus", meaning "galloping horse".
The use of the name Cameo has been popular in various forms throughout history. In ancient Rome, cameos were highly valued works of art featuring a carved portrait on an inverted stone. These intricate pieces often depicted historical figures or mythological scenes and were worn as jewelry by prominent individuals.
In more recent times, the name Cameo gained popularity due to its use in literature and entertainment. It was the title character in Edmund Rostand's play "Cameo", which was first performed in 1895. Additionally, Cameo has been used as a stage name by several artists, further popularizing the name.
Today, Cameo is still considered an uncommon yet elegant choice for a female given name. It offers parents the opportunity to give their child a unique and historic moniker with roots tracing back to ancient Greece.
The name Cameo has seen a varied trend in its popularity over the years in the United States. Between 1957 and 2020, there have been a total of 1501 babies born with this unique name.
The name first appeared in the top 1000 baby names list in 1961, with 20 births recorded that year. It reached its peak popularity in 1980, with a notable 55 births recorded during that time. This marked a significant increase from previous years and indicates that there was a strong preference for this name around the late 70s to early 80s.
However, after the mid-80s, the popularity of the name started to decline. Between 1986 and 2000, the number of births recorded each year fluctuated between 34 and 68, showing a consistent but decreasing trend.
From 2001 onwards, there has been a steady decrease in the number of babies named Cameo each year. The most recent data from 2020 shows that there were only 6 babies named Cameo at birth, indicating that this name is now quite rare compared to its peak popularity over three decades ago.
Despite the decline in popularity, it's still fascinating to observe how cultural trends and personal preferences have shaped the usage of this distinctive name over time. Each generation has embraced or overlooked Cameo, creating a unique historical record of naming practices in the United States.