Fun Facts About the Name Fotios
- 93 babies named Fotios: U.S. records list 93 babies given the name Fotios from 1880 through 2025.
What Does the Name Fotios Mean?
Fotios is a Greek masculine name meaning "light." It derives from the Greek noun φῶς (phōs), "light," whose genitive stem is φωτ- (phōt-), as in φωτός (phōtos). The name adds the masculine ending -ιος (-ios). In Christian usage the name was also understood as a reference to spiritual illumination, but that is a later symbolic association rather than the literal etymology.
Fotios Name History & Origins
Fotios is a direct transliteration of Greek Φώτιος (Phōtios); older Latin and English forms include Photius. The spelling with ph- reflects the traditional rendering of Greek phi, while f- follows modern Greek pronunciation. The name was borne by Photios I of Constantinople (c. 810 - 893), a patriarch and scholar whose Bibliotheca and letters are important sources for Byzantine learning; in English he is commonly called Photius. Photios I is venerated as a saint in the Orthodox Church, and the name has continued in Greek Orthodox use. In Greek, the short form Fotis (Φώτης) is common. The feminine Photini (Φωτεινή) shares the same root but is a distinct name.
How Popular is the Name Fotios?
Fotios has historically been an exceptionally rare given name in the United States, remaining well outside the national mainstream. It saw its highest recorded annual births in 1969. Its best rank was #3,149 in 1969.
U.S. name popularity from 1880-2025, based on SSA data. Rank shows how the name compares with other names - lower numbers mean greater popularity. Births shows how many babies received the name each year.
| Year | Rank | Births | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | #12,641 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 2010 | #11,195 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 2009 | #13,094 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1992 | #8,863 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1983 | #5,713 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 1981 | #4,670 | 8 | 0.0004% |
| 1979 | #5,586 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 1978 | #3,960 | 9 | 0.0005% |
| 1977 | #4,309 | 8 | 0.0005% |
| 1976 | #5,893 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1975 | #5,756 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1974 | #4,842 | 6 | 0.0004% |
| 1971 | #5,169 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1970 | #4,966 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1969 | #3,149 | 9 | 0.0005% |
Name popularity over more than a century, based on Social Security Administration data. Gaps in the chart indicate years when the name does not appear in the published records.
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How the Name Fotios Shapes Your Personality and Life?
You are kind, home-loving, hospitable and friendly. Since you take responsibility well, you are a good organizer of social affairs. Compassion for others is an outstanding trait. You are a great lover and a great flirt – an artist, musician, actor, teacher, nurse. Your character can be contradictory. You are practical, yet idealistic and intuitive; capable of selfless devotion to someone you love, yet look to receive payback. You are frank, methodical and believe in law, system and order.
Creative and outgoing, you are always looking for an opportunity to show your abilities, especially before audience. You are very flexible and like to feel appreciated. You are looking for chances to mix with others socially and to communicate your ideas. You like to talk and can easily relate to different cultures and concepts. The biggest challenge for you is uncertainty. Easily getting bored, you can move from one job to another, switch projects and lovers. The high creative force can lead you either to happiness or unhappiness. If you understand your goals, if you can make major decisions in life and follow it directly and straight up without worry and uncertainty, you are able to achieve great heights.
✦ Fotios's Deeper Meaning & Tips for Parents Discover Fotios's symbolic numbers and practical tips for choosing a name that complements your child's birth date.