Holding steady.
Popularity of Narcissus since 1881
Babies named Narcissus per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1919, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Narcissus's real moment was 1886.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 46 |
| 1890s | 38 |
| 1900s | 29 |
| 1910s | 75 |
| 1920s | 71 |
| 1930s | 32 |
| 1940s | 16 |
| 1950s | 5 |
| 1960s | 6 |
| 1970s | 0 |
| 1980s | 0 |
| 1990s | 0 |
| 2000s | 0 |
| 2010s | 0 |
| 2020s | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Narcissus is a name of Greek origin, drawn from mythology and the flower. It was rarely used even during its peak in 1886, with only 5 recorded births in that year. The name has seen extremely low usage overall, with no data for recent years indicating it has fallen out of common use. In the 1880s, it was given to a handful of girls, but it never established any notable popularity. The name's association with the myth of a self-absorbed youth may have limited its appeal. Today, it is almost unheard of as a given name, residing mainly in classical literature and botany.
From Greek Νάρκισσος (Narkissos), possibly related to ναρκή (narke) meaning 'numbness' or 'sleep'. In Greek mythology, Narcissus was a youth who fell in love with his own reflection, leading to the term 'narcissism'. The name became associated with the flower that sprang from where he died. It was used in the 19th century, particularly in the 1880s, but has never been common. The peak year was 1886 with 5 births.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Narc, Sissy, Narci
Sibling names for Narcissus
Names that share Narcissus's style, for a brother or sister.
