Holding steady.
Popularity of Orestes since 1918
Babies named Orestes per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1986, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Orestes's real moment was 1918.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1910s | 13 |
| 1920s | 0 |
| 1930s | 0 |
| 1940s | 0 |
| 1950s | 20 |
| 1960s | 45 |
| 1970s | 76 |
| 1980s | 54 |
| 1990s | 44 |
| 2000s | 47 |
| 2010s | 44 |
| 2020s | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Orestes is a name with deep roots in classical mythology, yet it has never achieved mainstream popularity in the United States. First recorded in U.S. Social Security data in 1918, Orestes has consistently remained outside the top 1,000 names. Its peak year was 1918, and it has maintained a stable trajectory of very low usage ever since. The name's association with the Greek hero Orestes gives it a strong historical and literary weight, but its relative obscurity means it offers a distinctive choice. The data show no top states for the name, reflecting its scattered, uncommon use across the country.
The name Orestes is a classical Greek name of debated origin. It is commonly linked to the Greek word oros, meaning 'mountain', suggesting the meaning 'mountain dweller'. In Greek mythology, Orestes is the son of Clytemnestra and Agamemnon, known for avenging his father's murder. The name has been used in the English-speaking world since the 19th century, often as a literary or historical reference.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Orie, Resty
Sibling names for Orestes
Names that share Orestes's style, for a brother or sister.
