Callisto is a unique and captivating name of Greek origin. It is derived from the Greek word 'Kallisto', which means "most beautiful". The name has a rich history rooted in Greek mythology.
In ancient Greek myth, Callisto was one of the nymphs who accompanied Artemis, the goddess of hunting. She was known for her exceptional beauty and grace. However, Zeus, the king of gods, fell in love with her and impregnated her. Hera, Zeus' jealous wife, turned Callisto into a bear as punishment.
Callisto's story does not end there. Her son Arcas, unaware that she was his mother, hunted her down. Mercifully, Jupiter (Zeus) intervened by placing them both among the stars as the constellations Ursa Major and Ursa Minor respectively, thereby reuniting mother and son in the heavens.
Today, Callisto remains a name of beauty and strength, carrying the legacy of its namesake from Greek mythology. It is not commonly used but when it is, it stands out for its uniqueness and rich history.
The name Callisto has seen a varied level of popularity in the United States over the past two decades, with fluctuations in its usage from year to year.
In 1998 and 1999, the name Callisto was given to five newborn girls each year. There were no births recorded for this name in the years between 2000 and 2006. However, it reemerged in 2007 with six babies named Callisto.
The popularity of Callisto continued to rise over the next few years. In 2012, seven girls were named Callisto, marking an increase from the previous year. This trend continued into 2016, where nine newborns were given this name.
After a brief dip in 2017 (with no births recorded), Callisto experienced another resurgence in popularity. In 2018 and 2019, six girls were named Callisto each year, followed by another spike to nine births in 2022.
Overall, between 1998 and 2022, there have been a total of seventy-one babies named Callisto born in the United States. While its popularity has ebbed and flowed over time, it is clear that this unique name continues to capture the imagination of parents across the country.