A 1920s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Caliope since 1919
Babies named Caliope per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 2023, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Caliope's real moment was 1922.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1910s | 5 |
| 1920s | 12 |
| 1930s | 0 |
| 1940s | 0 |
| 1950s | 0 |
| 1960s | 0 |
| 1970s | 0 |
| 1980s | 0 |
| 1990s | 0 |
| 2000s | 7 |
| 2010s | 56 |
| 2020s | 64 |
Meaning & origin
Caliope, a respelling of the mythological Calliope, first appeared in U.S. birth records in 1919. It saw its peak popularity in 1922, when it ranked close to its highest usage. After declining for decades, the name began a steady revival starting around 2008, part of a broader trend of resurrecting classical and mythological names. While the spelling Caliope is less common than the standard Calliope, it offers a streamlined alternative. Its current rank of #7491 (2025) and a 1-in-114,805 birth rate reflect its rarity and niche appeal, primarily driven by parents seeking distinctive names with literary and artistic roots. The name has not recorded significant usage in any particular U.S. state, indicating a widespread but low-level presence across the country.
Caliope is a modern English respelling of Calliope, the name of the Muse of epic poetry in Greek mythology. Derived from Greek καλλιός (kallios) 'beautiful' and ὄψ (ops) 'voice', the name has been used sporadically in the United States since the early 20th century, often chosen by parents drawn to its musical and mythological associations.
“Caliope” around the world
Where Caliope lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
5
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Callie, Lia, Cali
Sibling names for Caliope
Names that share Caliope's style, for a brother or sister.
