Fun Facts About the Name Kostas
- 372 babies named Kostas: U.S. records list 372 babies given the name Kostas from 1880 through 2025.
What Does the Name Kostas Mean?
Kostas is a Greek masculine name meaning 'constant' or 'steadfast.' It is a familiar short form of Konstantinos (Κωνσταντίνος), which comes from the Latin name Constantinus. Constantinus is derived from the Latin word constans, meaning 'standing firm' or 'constant'; constans is the present participle of constare, 'to stand firm, hold together.' The Greek form Konstantinos was adapted from Latin, and Kostas is a shortened form of that Greek name rather than a separate name with its own root.
The literal sense is 'constant' or 'steadfast.' The name is not derived from the city of Constantinople; the city was named after Constantine, not the other way around. In Greek usage, Kostas and the full form Konstantinos share the same inherited meaning.
Kostas Name History & Origins
The longer name Konstantinos entered Greek from the Latin Constantinus. The Latin name was borne by Constantine the Great (Flavius Valerius Constantinus, c. 272 - 337), the Roman emperor who legalized Christianity and founded Constantinople. Because of his importance in Christian history, the name Konstantinos became common among Greek-speaking Christians, and it was later borne by many Byzantine emperors and saints.
Within Greek, Konstantinos was shortened in everyday speech to Kostas. This is a common pattern in Greek naming: a longer formal name may be used in official contexts, while a shorter form is used among family and friends. Kostas is also used as an independent given name, especially in Greece, Cyprus, and Greek communities abroad. Other short forms from the same longer name include Kostis and Kostakis. The spelling Costas is also found in English transliteration.
In English, Kostas is not the usual equivalent of Constantine; Constantine generally stands for the full Latin or Greek name, while Kostas represents the Greek short form. The Greek spelling Κώστας keeps the accent on the first syllable, and the name remains familiar in Greek-speaking contexts and among people of Greek descent.
How Popular is the Name Kostas?
Kostas 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 1974. Its best rank was #2,411 in 1974.
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 | #10,247 | 7 | 0.0004% |
| 2023 | #8,016 | 10 | 0.0006% |
| 2022 | #10,389 | 7 | 0.0004% |
| 2020 | #9,180 | 8 | 0.0005% |
| 2019 | #13,237 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 2016 | #13,348 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 2015 | #13,179 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 2014 | #13,184 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 2012 | #9,352 | 8 | 0.0004% |
| 2011 | #9,240 | 8 | 0.0004% |
| 2010 | #8,499 | 9 | 0.0005% |
| 2009 | #7,055 | 12 | 0.0006% |
| 2008 | #10,547 | 7 | 0.0003% |
| 2007 | #7,924 | 10 | 0.0005% |
| 2005 | #9,690 | 7 | 0.0004% |
| 2002 | #7,380 | 9 | 0.0005% |
| 1998 | #10,563 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1997 | #8,780 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 1991 | #7,815 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 1990 | #8,883 | 5 | 0.0002% |
| 1989 | #7,484 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 1988 | #5,486 | 8 | 0.0004% |
| 1987 | #5,233 | 8 | 0.0004% |
| 1986 | #6,368 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 1985 | #4,216 | 10 | 0.0005% |
| 1984 | #6,010 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 1983 | #3,008 | 15 | 0.0008% |
| 1982 | #5,342 | 7 | 0.0004% |
| 1981 | #3,327 | 13 | 0.0007% |
| 1980 | #3,745 | 11 | 0.0006% |
| 1979 | #4,650 | 8 | 0.0005% |
| 1978 | #3,730 | 10 | 0.0006% |
| 1977 | #3,733 | 10 | 0.0006% |
| 1976 | #4,703 | 7 | 0.0004% |
| 1975 | #4,139 | 8 | 0.0005% |
| 1974 | #2,411 | 17 | 0.0011% |
| 1973 | #3,137 | 11 | 0.0007% |
| 1972 | #3,259 | 10 | 0.0006% |
| 1971 | #2,422 | 16 | 0.0009% |
| 1970 | #3,182 | 10 | 0.0005% |
| 1969 | #4,187 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 1968 | #4,457 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1967 | #4,281 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1966 | #4,266 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1962 | #4,369 | 5 | 0.0002% |
| 1961 | #4,386 | 5 | 0.0002% |
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 Kostas Shapes Your Personality and Life?
EXTREMES in fortune, health and spirituality. You are very versatile, idealistic and intuitive. You either enjoy great success or suffer abject misery. The solution is service to others. Use your leadership abilities for humanity and not for self-glorification. You are frank, methodical and believe in law, system and order.
Dependable, very down-to-earth and well grounded, you are always looking for meaningful work, a career where you can take pride in your work and do the best job you are capable of. Your prime desire is to build protected and secure environment at home and at work. You can be very persuasive in achieving goals and gaining objectives. You can be very detailed and well-organized and possess great organizational skills. At times you may appear too stubborn and overly critical to others, but your practical approach to life and productivity makes you one of the most beneficent members of community.
✦ Kostas's Deeper Meaning & Tips for Parents Discover Kostas's symbolic numbers and practical tips for choosing a name that complements your child's birth date.