Apollo is a Greek-derived masculine given name. It is derived from the Ancient Greek word "Ἀπόλλων" (Apóllōn), which means "destroyer". This name was used in ancient times as an epithet of Zeus, the king of the gods in Greek mythology.
The name Apollo has been popular throughout history and has been borne by several notable figures. One of the most famous bearers of this name is Apollo, the god of light, music, and prophecy in Greek mythology. He was the son of Zeus and Leto, and had a twin sister named Artemis. Apollo was known for his golden chariot that he drove across the sky to bring light to the world each day.
Another notable figure with the name Apollo was Apollo, Duke of Gloucester (1774-1805), who was a British Army officer and son of King George III. He served as a major-general in the Peninsular War and played a significant role in the Battle of Talavera.
The name Apollo has also been used as a given name throughout history. In recent times, it has gained popularity in various countries, including the United States, where it has consistently ranked among the top 1000 names for boys since the 1970s.
In pop culture, the name Apollo has been used in several works of fiction, such as the Percy Jackson series by Rick Riordan, where Apollo is a major character and one of the Twelve Olympians. It has also appeared in various movies and television shows, such as Apollo 13 (1995), an historical drama about the ill-fated space mission.
Overall, Apollo is a strong and distinctive name with a rich history that stretches back to ancient Greece. Its meaning, "destroyer", adds to its powerful and commanding aura, making it a popular choice for parents looking for a unique and meaningful name for their son.
The name Apollo has seen varying popularity in the United States over the past two decades. In 2002, there were 14 births with the name Apollo. This number decreased to 5 in 2004 before bouncing back up to 10 in 2006 and 13 in 2007. However, the popularity of the name seemed to fluctuate quite a bit over the following years, with the number of births ranging from 6 to 18 between 2008 and 2023.
It is interesting to note that since 2015, the number of babies named Apollo has consistently been in double digits, indicating that the name has gained some traction in recent years. In fact, the most recent data shows that there were 17 births with the name Apollo in 2023, which is the highest recorded number in this dataset.
Overall, from 2002 to 2023, there have been a total of 203 babies named Apollo born in the United States. While the popularity of the name has ebbed and flowed over the years, it appears that Apollo is currently a name that is being chosen with some frequency for newborns in the country.