Holding steady.
Popularity of Rhapsody since 1977
Babies named Rhapsody per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1970s | 20 |
| 1980s | 15 |
| 1990s | 11 |
| 2000s | 30 |
| 2010s | 23 |
| 2020s | 18 |
Meaning & origin
Rhapsody is a rare and distinctive modern coinage taken directly from the musical term. It first appeared on U.S. birth records in 1977, and its peak year of usage was 1979, though it has never ranked among the top 1000 names. The name has remained extremely uncommon, with a trajectory that is essentially flat across recent decades. Because it has no traditional etymology, its appeal lies in its artistic, free-spirited connotations. Rhapsody is almost exclusively used for girls, and it has not appeared among top states, reflecting its scattered, low-frequency use.
Rhapsody comes from the Greek word 'rhapsōidia' (ῥαψῳδία), meaning 'recitation of epic poetry,' but as a given name it is a modern English coinage directly taken from the musical term. It first appeared in U.S. records in 1977, likely inspired by its literary and musical associations rather than any traditional name stock.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Rhaps, Rhapsy
Sibling names for Rhapsody
Names that share Rhapsody's style, for a brother or sister.
