Poe Boy
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: Poh //poʊ//
Origin: English; Latin
Meaning: peacock (English); small (Latin)
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Poe is believed to have originated from the Old French word "pou" or "poe," which means "small" or "little." This term likely derived from the Latin "paucus," meaning "few" or "little." The name entered the English language during the Norman Conquest in the 11th century, when many Old French words and names were adopted into English vernacular. The transition from Old French to Middle English saw the name evolve, maintaining its association with smallness or diminutiveness.
Historically, the name Poe is most notably associated with the American writer Edgar Allan Poe, who lived in the 19th century and is renowned for his contributions to literature, particularly in the genres of horror and mystery. His works, such as "The Raven" (1845) and "The Tell-Tale Heart" (1843), have had a lasting impact on American literature and culture.
Poe's exploration of themes such as death, love, and the macabre has made his name synonymous with gothic literature, and he is often regarded as a pioneer of the short story format. His influence can be traced through various literary movements, including symbolism and modernism, which emerged in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Culturally, the name Poe carries connotations of mystery and creativity, largely due to its association with Edgar Allan Poe. The name has also been embraced in various artistic expressions, including film, music, and visual arts, often invoking themes of the uncanny or the supernatural.
Additionally, diminutive forms such as "Poe-Poe" have been used affectionately in some contexts, although they are less common. Overall, the name Poe encapsulates a rich historical and cultural legacy that continues to resonate in literature and the arts.
Famous people named Poe
In this section, you will find notable people named Poe. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Poe who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Poe who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.
Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.
Poe Dameron is a fictional character best known as a pilot in the Star Wars sequel trilogy.
Fictional characters named Poe
The following list of fictional characters named Poe 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.
Poe Dameron is a fictional character from the film series Star Wars. He is a skilled pilot and a key member of the Resistance fighting against the First Order.
Poe is a fictional character from the animated series The Owl House. They are a young witch who navigates the complexities of magic and friendship in a fantastical realm.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Poe, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Poe was first seen in the United States in 2010.
Poe has ranked as high as #1375 nationally, which occurred in 2017, and has been most popular in .
In the past 5 years the name Poe has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Poe 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 Poe was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Poe
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 Poe.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 5 |
| 2023 | 8 |
| 2022 | 7 |
| 2021 | 11 |
| 2020 | 6 |
| 2018 | 6 |
| 2017 | 11 |
| 2016 | 7 |
| 2015 | 9 |
| 2012 | 6 |
| 2010 | 5 |