Boy · #5,973 in 2026

Prometheus

In Greek mythology, Prometheus is a Titan responsible for creating or aiding humanity in its earliest days. He defied the Olympian gods by taking fire from them and giving it to humanity in the form of technology, knowledge and, more generally, civilization.

  • Greek Mythology
Current Rank
#5,973
Peak Rank
#5,212 (2022)
Total Babies
121
5-Yr Trend
+51%
2013
First Year
2026
Last Year
2022
Peak Year
#5212
Peak Rank
121
Total Count
11
Years Active

Meaning & Origin of Prometheus

What this name means, where it came from, and how it has traveled across cultures.

In Greek mythology, Prometheus is a Titan responsible for creating or aiding humanity in its earliest days. He defied the Olympian gods by taking fire from them and giving it to humanity in the form of technology, knowledge and, more generally, civilization.

Source: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 3.0). Read more →

Cultural Origins (via Behind the Name)

  • Greek Mythology
Etymology
The etymology of the theonym prometheus is debated. The usual view is that it signifies "forethought", as that of his brother Epimetheus denotes "afterthought" (from pro- meaning "before" and epi- meaning "after", respectively). Hesychius of Alexandria gives Prometheus the variant name of Ithas, and adds "whom others call Ithax", and describes him as the Herald of the Titans. Kerényi remarks that these names are "not transparent", and may be different readings of the same name, while the name "Prometheus" is descriptive. The suggestion that Prometheus was the human "inventor of the fire-sticks

The Story of Prometheus

The earliest SSA record of Prometheus as a baby boy name dates back to 2013, when 7 babies received it. 2022 was its biggest year on record, with 18 newborns named Prometheus — #5,212 in the national rankings. The 2020s were its strongest decade, accounting for roughly 62% of all recorded Prometheuss. In the latest 2026 data it stands at #5,973 among baby boy names with 15 births, rising sharply (+51% over the past five years). In total, more than 121 Prometheuss have been born in the U.S. since records began in 1880, spanning the 2010s through the 2020s.

Popularity Over Time

Popularity by State

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ID
SD
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OH
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NJ
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Top 10
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No data

Names that sound like Prometheus

Phonetically similar names — useful when Prometheus is the vibe but a different syllable count or letter feel might suit better. Linked entries have a profile on Peek a Name.

  • Promethea
  • Prometeus
  • Promethium
  • Promethean
  • Epimetheus
  • Paranthias
  • Pentheus
  • Paramecia
  • Peromyscus
  • Peroneus

Source: Datamuse . Phonetic similarity ranking, not curated.

Frequently Asked Questions about Prometheus

What does the name Prometheus mean?
In Greek mythology, Prometheus is a Titan responsible for creating or aiding humanity in its earliest days. He defied the Olympian gods by taking fire from them and giving it to humanity in the form of technology, knowledge and, more generally, civilization.
What is the origin of the name Prometheus?
Prometheus has roots in the following cultural and linguistic traditions: Greek Mythology.
How popular is Prometheus in 2026?
In 2026, Prometheus ranks #5,973 among boys' names in the U.S., with 15 babies given the name that year.
When was Prometheus most popular?
Prometheus reached its peak popularity in 2022, ranking #5,212 that year with 18 babies given the name.
Is Prometheus a unisex name?
In U.S. Social Security records, Prometheus is primarily a boy's name. We don't have meaningful data for it as a girl's name.
What names go well with Prometheus?
Names that share a similar style or popularity range with Prometheus include Matin, Trillion, Gedalya. These pairings are based on rank proximity and naming era in U.S. data.

Similar Names

👦
Matin
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Trillion
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👦
Gedalya
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👦
Micco
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👦
Alyus
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Rahm
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Weslyn
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Achilleus
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About the name Prometheus

Prometheus is a boy baby name tracked by the U.S. Social Security Administration. It first appeared in SSA records in 2013 and has accumulated 121 births in the dataset. Prometheus's peak popularity came in 2022 when it ranked #5,212. Use the chart and map above to compare Prometheus's trajectory across years and U.S. states, or browse the related names section to discover similar choices.

Continue exploring

Data sources

  • Birth statistics (counts, ranks, years 1880–2026) — U.S. Social Security Administration . Predictions for years not yet released by SSA are computed by Peek a Name from historical trends; we update with official data as soon as it ships.
  • Etymology, cultural origins, and related forms — Behind the Name (used under their public API terms).
  • Meaning prose and editorial summary — Wikipedia article extracts, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 .
  • Predicted nationality distribution — Nationalize.io .
  • Phonetically similar names — Datamuse .

Peek a Name aggregates and presents the above data for informational purposes. Statistical predictions and external attributions are clearly labelled where shown; we make no guarantee of accuracy beyond what each source provides.