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Callista vs Eleni

Which is more popular?
Callista is more popular than Eleni today: about 42 US babies were given the name Callista in 2025, compared with 0 named Eleni.
CallistaEleni
Meaning Most beautiful Torch; bright light (disputed)
Origin greek greek
Gender Girl Girl
Pronunciation kuh-LIS-tuh eh-LEH-nee
Syllables 3 3
First appeared19140
Peak year1999 (137)2024 (255)
In 2025420
TrendDecliningRising
Popularity over time, 1880–2025
Callista Eleni
192019401960198020002020

Source: US Social Security Administration.

Births by decade

DecadeCallistaEleni
2020s 250 1,216
2010s 567 1,420
2000s 901 1,319
1990s 424 1,275
1980s 197 762
1970s 44 469
1960s 5 239
1950s 28 100
1940s 0 22
1930s 6 0
1920s 23 0
1910s 40 0

What does Callista mean?

From Greek kallistos/kallistē 'most beautiful', the superlative of kalos, from kallos 'beauty'. Kalliste was a title of the goddess Artemis; the mythological nymph Kallisto bears the same root.

What does Eleni mean?

Modern Greek form of Helen/Helene. The etymology is uncertain: most often linked to Greek 'hele' ('torch') or a root meaning 'shine/bright', with some scholars instead proposing a connection to the moon or a pre-Greek word of unknown meaning. The 'torch/bright light' reading is traditional but not settled.

Frequently asked questions

Is Callista or Eleni more popular?

Callista is more popular than Eleni today: about 42 US babies were given the name Callista in 2025, compared with 0 named Eleni.

What is the difference between Callista and Eleni?

Callista means Most beautiful (greek origin), while Eleni means Torch; bright light (disputed) (greek origin).

Which name is older, Callista or Eleni?

In US records, Callista first appears in 1914 and Eleni in 0, so Eleni has the longer recorded history.