Cupid Boy
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: KYOO-pid //ˈkjuː.pɪd//
Origin: Latin; Greek
Meaning: Latin: desire; Greek: to desire
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Cupid originates from the Latin word "cupido," which means "desire" or "passion." This term is derived from the verb "cupere," meaning "to desire." In Roman mythology, Cupid is depicted as the god of love, often represented as a young boy with wings, armed with a bow and arrows, which he uses to strike the hearts of gods and mortals alike, inciting love and desire. The transition of the name into English occurred through the influence of Latin literature and the subsequent adoption of Roman mythology during the Renaissance, when classical themes were revived in art and literature.
Historically, Cupid is often associated with the goddess Venus, the Roman equivalent of the Greek goddess Aphrodite. His prominence in mythology is evident in various ancient texts, including Ovid's "Metamorphoses," written in the early 1st century CE, where Cupid plays a significant role in the tales of love and transformation.
The figure of Cupid has also appeared in numerous works of art throughout the centuries, influencing the portrayal of love in Western culture. His representation in literature and art has contributed to the enduring nature of the name, which has been used in various forms since antiquity.
Culturally, Cupid embodies the themes of love, desire, and attraction, making him a symbol of romantic relationships. The imagery of Cupid has been widely adopted in literature, art, and popular culture, particularly during celebrations of love, such as Valentine's Day.
The name has also inspired diminutive forms and variations, such as "Cupido" in some languages, which reflect its historical and cultural significance. Overall, the name Cupid carries a rich legacy that intertwines mythology, literature, and the universal experience of love.
Fictional characters named Cupid
The following list of fictional characters named Cupid 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.
You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.
Cupid is a fictional character from Roman mythology and various literary works. He is often depicted as the god of desire, erotic love, attraction, and affection.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Cupid, 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 Cupid. 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 Cupid was first seen in the United States in 1981.
Cupid has ranked as high as #1113 nationally, which occurred in 1981, and has been most popular in .
In the past 5 years the name Cupid has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Cupid 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 Cupid was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Cupid
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.
No state data available for this year.
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 Cupid.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 5 |
| 1981 | 6 |