Poe

Meaning & origin

Poe is a rare given name that first appeared on U.S. birth records in 2010, reflecting the trend of using literary surnames as first names. Its usage peaked in 2021, when it reached its highest rank, before beginning a gradual decline. As of 2023, approximately 1 in 244,011 babies received the name, placing it well outside the top 1,000. The name's appeal likely stems from its association with Edgar Allan Poe, the master of macabre literature, giving it a darkly romantic and intellectual edge. While it has no strong ties to any particular state, its unisex nature allows it to be used across genders, though it has leaned slightly masculine in recent years. As a modern coinage, Poe has not yet developed a stable tradition of nicknames or variants, but its brevity and distinctness may continue to attract parents seeking a short, impactful name with literary cachet.

Poe originated as a surname, most famously borne by the American writer Edgar Allan Poe (1809-1849). As a given name, it emerged in the 21st century, likely as a tribute to the author or as a short form of names like Edgar or Poppy. The name also has Irish roots, possibly deriving from Pogue (meaning 'kiss') or as an anglicization of Mac Cuag, an Irish surname.