Circe Girl
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: SUR-see //ˈsɜːr.si//
Origin: Greek
Meaning: bird; circle
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Circe has its roots in ancient Greek, derived from the word "kirkos," meaning "hawk" or "circle." The earliest form of the name appears in Homer's "Odyssey," composed in the 8th century BCE, where Circe is depicted as a powerful sorceress who transforms Odysseus's men into animals. The Greek name was later adopted into Latin as "Circe," which maintained its original pronunciation and meaning.
This transition into Latin facilitated the name's entry into various European languages, including English, through translations of classical texts and the influence of Roman culture. Circe's significance in literature and mythology is profound, with her character embodying themes of transformation, enchantment, and the duality of nature.
In addition to the "Odyssey," Circe appears in other ancient works, such as Ovid's "Metamorphoses," written in the 1st century CE, which further explores her magical abilities and complex personality. The Renaissance saw a revival of interest in classical mythology, leading to numerous artistic representations and literary adaptations of Circe, solidifying her place in Western cultural heritage.
The name Circe has been associated with various symbolic meanings, including femininity, power, and the allure of the unknown. In some interpretations, she represents the archetype of the enchantress, a figure who possesses both the ability to heal and to harm.
This duality has allowed the name to resonate through the ages, often evoking a sense of mystery and intrigue. While diminutive forms or variations of the name are less commonly noted, the enduring legacy of Circe in literature and art continues to inspire interpretations of her character across different cultures and eras.
Fictional characters named Circe
The following list of fictional characters named Circe is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.
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Circe is a fictional character from the epic poem The Odyssey by Homer. She is a powerful sorceress who transforms Odysseus's men into animals and plays a crucial role in his journey home.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Circe, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
Similar names
Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Circe. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Circe was first seen in the United States in 1967.
Circe has ranked as high as #1359 nationally, which occurred in 2022, and has been most popular in Texas, and California.
In the past 5 years the name Circe has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Circe is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Circe was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Circe (2024)
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. In some cases, you may see four or five states listed. However, we only display states where the name represents a significant percentage of births, so the number of states shown can range from one to several.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| TX | 8 | |
| CA | 7 |
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Circe.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 28 |
| 2023 | 18 |
| 2022 | 34 |
| 2021 | 24 |
| 2020 | 20 |
| 2019 | 19 |
| 2017 | 5 |
| 2016 | 5 |
| 2015 | 6 |
| 2014 | 8 |
| 2013 | 8 |
| 2010 | 6 |
| 2009 | 7 |
| 2008 | 10 |
| 2007 | 9 |
| 2005 | 7 |
| 2003 | 6 |
| 1999 | 5 |
| 1996 | 5 |
| 1993 | 7 |
| 1991 | 5 |
| 1981 | 5 |
| 1976 | 6 |
| 1975 | 6 |
| 1973 | 6 |
| 1967 | 5 |