Orpheus

An uncommon Greek pick — distinctive and rare.

Boy's nameGreekNot ranked recently Also a pet name
Rare name

Meaning & Origin

A Thracian musician and poet, who failed to retrieve his wife Eurydice from Hades.

Orpheus is a boy's baby name of Greek origin, carried by the legendary Thracian musician of Greek mythology whose playing was so beautiful it moved stones, rivers, and the hearts of gods. His journey to the Underworld to rescue his wife Eurydice is one of antiquity's most enduring love stories.

The name's etymology may relate to the Greek orphnē (darkness of night) or an ancient Thracian root. For parents drawn to mythology and the arts, Orpheus is a name of extraordinary depth — bold, poetic, and impossible to forget.

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Popularity Over Time

Orpheus has 12+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1916.

0368111920194019601987

Popularity by Decade

Decade-by-decade popularity data for Orpheus
DecadeBirthsTrend
1980s12
1970s21
1960s27
1920s11
1910s5

Year-by-Year Data

View complete yearly data(12 years, 19161987)
Year-by-year popularity data for the name Orpheus
YearBirthsRank
19877#5921
19865#7518
19765#6237
19756#5277
19745#5780
19735#5658
19697#3840
196811#2689
19679#2923
19255#4724
19226#4193
19165#4339

Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.

Orpheus has two lives

Orpheus, the baby name
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76 babies
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Orpheus, the pet name
#16407pet name
3 pets
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Last updated May 2026 · Data: U.S. Social Security Administration (19161987) · Methodology