Electra Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
The name Electra originates from Greek, meaning 'bright' or 'shining', and has evolved through various languages including Ancient Greek and Latin. Its historical significance is tied to mythology and classical literature, giving it connotations of strength and complexity. The name has no biblical background and gained popularity in the 19th century due to its literary associations. Variants include Elektra and Electre, and it is currently perceived as a powerful name, often linked to notable figures in mythology and the arts.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Electra"
Pronunciation
/ɪˈlɛktrə/
Origin
Greek
Etymology
The name Electra comes from the Greek word 'ēlektron', meaning 'amber', which is associated with brightness and shining.
Meaning
bright, shining
Language Evolution
Ἠλέκτρα (Ēlēktrā) - Ancient Greek, Electra - Latin, Electra - English
Historical Usage
The name Electra gained popularity in the 19th century, particularly through its use in literature and theater, notably in classical Greek tragedies.
Variants & Derivatives
Elektra, Elektrae, Electre
Modern Popularity & Image
Electra is often viewed as a strong and vibrant name, associated with power and complexity, largely due to its mythological roots.
Famous People
Electra Waggoner Biggs - American artist and philanthropist, Electra, a character in Greek mythology, Electra (play) by Sophocles
📊 Electra Name Trend Analysis
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Explore More Electra Name Visualizations
✨ Electra Name Meaning & Significance
Popularity Trend
Less Common name with 34 peak births in 2006
Geographic Spread
Popular across 2 US states, with strongest presence in California
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 7 different American generations with varying popularity
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Electra"
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History of "Electra"
"Electra" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 3358th of 9107 | 132 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 4542nd of 9204 | 70 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 5082nd of 12526 | 112 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 5866th of 19264 | 134 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 7557th of 27321 | 152 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 5504th of 35406 | 363 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 7785th of 30306 | 171 |
Regional Popularity of "Electra" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
Regional Popularity of "Electra" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - |
100.00% 6317th/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - |
100.00% 7313th/7313 |
83.68% 6245th/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - |
94.39% 5924th/6276 |
State-by-State Popularity of "Electra"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Electra" across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.
Comprehensive Regional & Generational Popularity Trends of "Electra" in the United States
The name Electra is most popular in California, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Girl name among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) generation in the West region. Recent 3-year trends show this Girl name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, Electra has been stalled for female in South, stalled for female in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for female in South, stalled for female in West. Across generations, 'Electra' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 3358th out of 9107 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 4542nd out of 9204 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 5082nd out of 12526 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 5866th out of 19264 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 7557th out of 27321 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 5504th out of 35406 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 7785th out of 30306 names. Discover how the name 'Electra' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.