A 1910s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Cleopatra since 1889
Babies named Cleopatra per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1974, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Cleopatra's real moment was 1910.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 6 |
| 1890s | 39 |
| 1900s | 61 |
| 1910s | 221 |
| 1920s | 340 |
| 1930s | 210 |
| 1940s | 134 |
| 1950s | 130 |
| 1960s | 88 |
| 1970s | 239 |
| 1980s | 158 |
| 1990s | 190 |
| 2000s | 169 |
| 2010s | 244 |
| 2020s | 255 |
Meaning & origin
Cleopatra is a name of ancient Greek origin, famously tied to the Ptolemaic queen of Egypt. In the United States, its recorded use dates to 1889, but it saw its peak popularity early on, ranking highest around 1910. After decades of rare use, the name has been rising in popularity since 2004, with a moderate return in recent years. According to Social Security data, in 2025 the name ranked 3577 nationally and was given to 1 in 38268 newborns, suggesting a niche but growing appeal. Trend-wise, Cleopatra's trajectory shows a revival, as it was most frequent in the 1910s and is now reclaiming interest. Top states for the name include New York and California, indicating a geographic concentration along the coasts. While not common, Cleopatra offers a distinctive and historically rich choice.
Cleopatra derives from the Greek name Kleopatra (Κλεοπάτρα), composed of kleos meaning "glory" and patēr meaning "father", thus "glory of the father". It was a common name among the Ptolemaic dynasty of Egypt, most famously borne by Cleopatra VII, the last active ruler of Ptolemaic Egypt. The name has been used in the English-speaking world since the Renaissance, though it fell out of common use after the 19th century.
Where Cleopatra is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Cleo
Sibling names for Cleopatra
Names that share Cleopatra's style, for a brother or sister.
