Holding steady, #14,942 for girls today.
Popularity of Eureka since 1913
Babies named Eureka per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1910s | 23 |
| 1920s | 19 |
| 1930s | 0 |
| 1940s | 0 |
| 1950s | 5 |
| 1960s | 103 |
| 1970s | 375 |
| 1980s | 208 |
| 1990s | 102 |
| 2000s | 0 |
| 2010s | 7 |
| 2020s | 18 |
Meaning & origin
Eureka is a name directly lifted from the Greek exclamation of discovery, "I have found it." Its use as a personal name is a distinctly American phenomenon, peaking in popularity during the 1970s when it reached its highest rank. The name saw its peak year in 1974, though it has always been uncommon. In the most recent data from 2025, Eureka ranked 14,942 with 1 in 321,453 girls receiving the name. It is a stable, low-frequency choice, with no strong regional concentration in the United States. For parents drawn to names with a bold, declarative meaning and a touch of intellectual history, Eureka offers a rare and striking option. Its sound is melodic and modern, yet its roots are ancient.
Eureka originates from the ancient Greek exclamation "heúrēka" (I have found it), famously attributed to Archimedes. As a given name, it first appeared in the United States around the mid-19th century, likely inspired by the California Gold Rush and the state motto of California. It has since been used sporadically as a rare, distinctive name.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Rika, Euri, Kika
Sibling names for Eureka
Names that share Eureka's style, for a brother or sister.
