Holding steady.
Popularity of Myrtis since 1882
Babies named Myrtis per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1921, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Myrtis's real moment was 1912.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 59 |
| 1890s | 202 |
| 1900s | 428 |
| 1910s | 1,203 |
| 1920s | 1,612 |
| 1930s | 1,083 |
| 1940s | 753 |
| 1950s | 500 |
| 1960s | 187 |
| 1970s | 66 |
| 1980s | 28 |
| 1990s | 0 |
| 2000s | 0 |
| 2010s | 0 |
| 2020s | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Myrtis is a name with ancient Greek roots, likely tied to the myrtle plant, a symbol of love and immortality. It was used in antiquity, notably by a Greek poet, but saw its greatest popularity in the early 20th century in the United States. Its peak year was 1912, but by the latest recorded year (2025), it had fallen out of common use. The name has a stable trajectory over time, with no recent revival. Myrtis remains a rare choice, evoking a vintage, literary feel.
Myrtis is likely a Latinized form of the Greek name Myrtis, which is derived from myrtos, meaning "myrtle." The myrtle plant was sacred to the goddess Aphrodite and symbolized love and immortality. The name was used in antiquity; a woman named Myrtis is recorded as a lyric poet from ancient Boeotia. It saw a revival in the English-speaking world in the 19th and early 20th centuries, particularly in the United States.
Where Myrtis is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Myrt, Myrtie, Tis
Sibling names for Myrtis
Names that share Myrtis's style, for a brother or sister.
