Sophia Girl
soh-FEE-uh
“wisdom” · Greek
#5
Cleopatra
GirlGreek· “glory of the father”
- Meaning
- glory of the father
- Origin
- Greek
- Pronunciation
- klee-oh-PAT-ruh
- Syllables
- 4
- US rank 2025
- #3,590
- US babies 2025
- 42
- Best rank
- #1,077 (1910)
- Peak year
- 1974
Meaning and origin of Cleopatra
Cleopatra is a Greek name that means “glory of the father”.
Cleopatra is a Greek name meaning "glory of the father," from kleos, "glory," and pater, "father." It was a royal name in the Ptolemaic dynasty of Egypt, and Cleopatra VII, the last active ruler of the dynasty, is one of the most famous women in history, remembered for her alliances with Julius Caesar and Mark Antony. Shakespeare's Antony and Cleopatra made her a lasting literary figure. It is said klee-oh-PAT-ruh. Cleo, the short form, has become popular in its own right, while the full name remains rare and unmistakably historical.
Popularity over time
Cleopatra first appears in US Social Security records in 1889. It has never ranked in the national top 1,000, which keeps it genuinely uncommon. Its best national rank was #1,077 in 1910, and the most babies received it in 1974, when 52 were named Cleopatra. In 2025, 42 babies were named Cleopatra, and it ranked #3,590 nationally. That is 83% more than ten years earlier, so it is clearly on the rise.
Its national rank moved from #1,156 in 1920, #2,199 in 1950, #5,292 in 1980, #3,901 in 2000, #8,364 in 2010, and #3,590 in 2025. Of the 2,484 US girls named Cleopatra since records began, 14% were born in the 1920s, its biggest decade. The 2020s come next, with 255 babies. Since 2010, 499 more have been named Cleopatra.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Zulma, Angelene, Jerusha, Wenona, and Lauralee.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Cleopatra ranked highest in California and New York.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| California | #2135 | 9 |
| New York | #2160 | 5 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Cleopatra is usually pronounced klee-oh-PAT-ruh, with four syllables. It has nine letters, starts with C and ends in “-ra”.
Middle names for Cleopatra
A few middle names that flow with Cleopatra: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Cleopatra
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Lists that include Cleopatra
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Cleopatra mean?
Cleopatra is a Greek name that means “glory of the father”.
What is the origin of the name Cleopatra?
Cleopatra has Greek roots. Cleopatra is a Greek name meaning "glory of the father," from kleos, "glory," and pater, "father." It was a royal name in the Ptolemaic dynasty of Egypt, and Cleopatra VII, the last active ruler of the dynasty, is one of the most famous women in history, remembered for her alliances with Julius Caesar and Mark Antony.
Is Cleopatra a popular name?
Not especially. Cleopatra ranked #3,590 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Cleopatra a boy or girl name?
Cleopatra is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Cleopatra?
Cleopatra is usually pronounced klee-oh-PAT-ruh. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings