Calista
From Latin Callistus, from Ancient Greek Κάλλιστος (Kállistos, “most beautiful”), from καλός (kalós, “beautiful”).
Every Calista since 1894 — 7,504 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Calista
Calista is rare for girls in the United States, ranked #1,597 in 2025 with 131 babies given the name. It is currently holding steady compared with a decade ago.
Since 1894, 7,504 American babies have been named Calista. Its peak came in 1999, when 490 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1990s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Calista stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Calista year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 131 | #1,597 |
| 2024 | 151 | #1,453 |
| 2023 | 120 | #1,712 |
| 2022 | 114 | #1,795 |
| 2021 | 139 | #1,517 |
| 2020 | 99 | #1,927 |
| 2019 | 164 | #1,374 |
| 2018 | 130 | #1,634 |
| 2017 | 149 | #1,489 |
| 2016 | 183 | #1,307 |
| 2015 | 172 | #1,372 |
| 2014 | 155 | #1,455 |
| 2013 | 170 | #1,371 |
| 2012 | 196 | #1,238 |
| 2011 | 210 | #1,164 |
| 2010 | 235 | #1,057 |
| 2009 | 191 | #1,273 |
| 2008 | 207 | #1,223 |
| 2007 | 264 | #1,002 |
| 2006 | 231 | #1,093 |
| 2005 | 223 | #1,068 |
| 2004 | 282 | #870 |
| 2003 | 271 | #889 |
| 2002 | 305 | #775 |
| 2001 | 358 | #697 |
| 2000 | 401 | #627 |
| 1995 | 23 | #4,366 |
| 1990 | 39 | #2,911 |
| 1985 | 30 | #3,018 |
| 1980 | 34 | #2,702 |
| 1975 | 18 | #3,650 |
| 1970 | 14 | #4,059 |
| 1965 | 15 | #3,277 |
| 1960 | 9 | #4,483 |
| 1955 | 9 | #4,103 |
| 1950 | 8 | #3,997 |
| 1945 | 8 | #3,425 |
| 1940 | 11 | #2,588 |
| 1935 | 6 | #3,806 |
| 1930 | 13 | #2,439 |
| 1925 | 6 | #4,510 |
| 1920 | 14 | #2,482 |
| 1915 | 17 | #1,893 |
| 1910 | 8 | #1,793 |
| 1905 | — | — |
| 1900 | 5 | #1,969 |
| 1895 | 7 | #1,319 |
| 1890 | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — |
Famous people named Calista
- Calista Flockhart Actor · b. 1964
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Calista mean?
From Latin Callistus, from Ancient Greek Κάλλιστος (Kállistos, “most beautiful”), from καλός (kalós, “beautiful”).
How popular is the name Calista in 2025?
Calista ranked #1,597 among girls' names in the United States in 2025, with 131 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Calista?
7,504 babies have been named Calista in the United States since 1894, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Calista most popular?
Calista peaked in 1999, when 490 newborns received the name.
Is Calista a boy or girl name?
Calista is overwhelmingly a girl's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Calista rising or falling?
Calista has been roughly stable over the past decade.
Who are famous people named Calista?
Well-known people named Calista include Calista Flockhart (actor).