Rising since 2011, #4,707 for boys today.
Popularity of Icarus since 2011
Babies named Icarus per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 2010s | 75 |
| 2020s | 94 |
Meaning & origin
Icarus is a rare mythological name that entered the U.S. baby name landscape only in 2011, making it a modern revival of an ancient story. Its popularity has been steadily rising since then, reaching its peak rank of 4,707 in 2025, when roughly 1 in 81,337 boys received the name. Despite its cautionary myth, the name has attracted parents drawn to classical mythology and striking, aspirational names. The name saw no notable regional concentration, with no top states recorded. As a relatively new choice on the charts, Icarus represents the continued fascination with mythological names that feel both ancient and modern.
Icarus is a name from Greek mythology, famously borne by the son of the master craftsman Daedalus. The myth tells of Icarus escaping the Labyrinth of Crete using wings made of feathers and wax but flying too close to the sun, melting the wax, and falling to his death. The etymology of the name is uncertain; it may be of pre-Greek origin. The name has been used sparingly in the English-speaking world, drawing on its mythological resonance as a cautionary tale about ambition.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Ike, Cary
Variants: Ikaros
Sibling names for Icarus
Names that share Icarus's style, for a brother or sister.
