Fun Facts About the Name Poe
- 117 babies named Poe: U.S. records list 117 babies given the name Poe from 1880 through 2025. Even 29 girls received the name Poe - about 1 girl for every 3 boys.
What Does the Name Poe Mean?
Poe is an English surname meaning 'peacock' and an anglicized Irish surname meaning 'son of Paul.' The English name comes from the Middle English word po or poe, meaning 'peacock,' which developed from Old English pawa and ultimately from Latin pavo. It began as a nickname, likely for someone who was proud or showy like a peacock. The Irish name is an anglicized form of Mac Póil, a patronymic from Pól, the Irish form of Paul. As a given name, Poe is a transferred use of the surname and has no separate etymology.
Poe Name History & Origins
The English surname Poe developed in the Middle Ages as a nickname from the Middle English word po, meaning 'peacock.' The peacock was associated with pride and display in medieval England, so the nickname may have described a proud or showy person. The Irish surname Mac Póil arose independently as a patronymic meaning 'son of Paul'; English recorders anglicized it as Poe and other spellings.
The name is best known today through the American writer Edgar Allan Poe (1809 - 1849), whose poems and short stories include The Raven and The Tell-Tale Heart. As a given name, Poe is a modern transferred use of the surname. It is uncommon and has appeared in recent fiction, including as the first name of Poe Dameron in the Star Wars films. That fictional use is a later association, not the name's origin.
How Popular is the Name Poe?
Poe 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 2017. Its best rank was #7,425 in 2017.
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 | #14,512 | 6 | 0.0004% |
| 2023 | #14,736 | 6 | 0.0004% |
| 2021 | #14,826 | 6 | 0.0004% |
| 2019 | #15,151 | 6 | 0.0004% |
| 2014 | #18,573 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| Year | Rank | Births | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | #10,423 | 7 | 0.0004% |
| 2024 | #13,694 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 2023 | #9,526 | 8 | 0.0005% |
| 2022 | #10,587 | 7 | 0.0004% |
| 2021 | #7,450 | 11 | 0.0006% |
| 2020 | #11,648 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 2018 | #11,795 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 2017 | #7,425 | 11 | 0.0006% |
| 2016 | #10,457 | 7 | 0.0004% |
| 2015 | #8,551 | 9 | 0.0005% |
| 2012 | #11,899 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 2010 | #13,761 | 5 | 0.0003% |
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.
Explore More Lists with Name Poe
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How the Name Poe Shapes Your Personality and Life?
You have a power of expression, either in speaking or writing. You are in favor for studying and research. You are clever, clear-sighted and intellectual. You don't like to let others know your true feelings. You might be atheistic or agnostic. You are frank, methodical and believe in law, system and order.
You desire to inspire and lead, to control other's affairs. You are giving, courageous and bold, action oriented,energetic and strong willed. You want to make a difference in the world, and this attitude often attracts you to cultural interests, politics, social issues, and the cultivation of your creative talents.
✦ Poe's Deeper Meaning & Tips for Parents Discover Poe's symbolic numbers and practical tips for choosing a name that complements your child's birth date.