Socrates Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
Socrates is an Ancient Greek name meaning 'safe power'. It originated from the roots 'sō' and 'kratos'. The name has evolved through various forms, including Latin adaptations, and remains prominent in discussions of philosophy and ethics. Socrates is not mentioned in the Bible, and his historical usage soared in the 5th century BCE, establishing him as a pivotal figure in Western thought. Modern perceptions of Socrates highlight his contributions to critical thinking and moral philosophy.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Socrates"
Pronunciation
/ˈsɒkrətiːz/
Origin
Ancient Greek
Etymology
The name Socrates is derived from the Greek name Σωκράτης (Sōkrátēs), which combines the elements 'sō' meaning 'safe' or 'whole' and 'kratos' meaning 'power' or 'strength'.
Meaning
Safe power
Language Evolution
Sōkrátēs (Ancient Greek), Socrates (Latin adaptation), Socrates (Modern English)
Historical Usage
Socrates gained popularity in philosophical discourse during the Classical period of Ancient Greece, particularly in the 5th century BCE, and remains a central figure in Western philosophy.
Variants & Derivatives
Socrates (common form), Socrate (French variant), Socrates (Italian variant)
Modern Popularity & Image
Today, Socrates is widely regarded as a foundational figure in Western philosophy, often associated with the development of critical thinking and ethics.
Famous People
Socrates (philosopher), Socrates of Achaea (ancient philosopher), Socrates (character in various literary works)
📊 Socrates Name Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Explore More Socrates Name Visualizations
✨ Socrates Name Meaning & Significance
Popularity Trend
Less Common name with 17 peak births in 1922
Geographic Spread
Popular across 3 US states, with strongest presence in New York
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 "Socrates"
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 "Socrates"
"Socrates" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 2926th of 7545 | 128 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 3339th of 6773 | 92 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 5303rd of 7552 | 27 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 4071st of 10718 | 104 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 4624th of 16616 | 162 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 7251st of 24088 | 151 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 11007th of 23106 | 61 |
Regional Popularity of "Socrates" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- |
78.86% 1227th/1556 |
- | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- |
67.94% 1651st/2430 |
- | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- |
52.74% 1837th/3483 |
- |
60.78% 2458th/4044 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- |
63.49% 2841st/4475 |
- |
63.94% 4039th/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - |
55.88% 4170th/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
Regional Popularity of "Socrates" 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) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
State-by-State Popularity of "Socrates"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Socrates" 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 "Socrates" in the United States
The name Socrates is most popular in New York, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Boy name among the Generation X (Gen X) generation in the Northeast region. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, Socrates has been stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for male in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for male in West. Across generations, 'Socrates' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 2926th out of 7545 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 3339th out of 6773 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 5303rd out of 7552 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 4071st out of 10718 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 4624th out of 16616 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 7251st out of 24088 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 11007th out of 23106 names. Discover how the name 'Socrates' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.