Callistus

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Callistus

Gender: Masculine
Language: Latin
Etymology:
Callistus is a Latin name based on Calixtus, a Greek name meaning “good” or “fair” from “calos.”

History:
The name Callistus is of Latin and Greek origin. It is found in mythology, but it also belonged to several early saints and popes. In spite of that, Callistus (in all its forms) has been rather rare, even in heavily Catholic countries like Spain and Italy.

Pronunciation: kuh-liss-tuss.

Alternates: Calixtus, Callixtus.
Italian: Callisto.
Portuguese: Calisto.
Spanish: Calisto.

Feminine: Callista, Calista.

Famous Bearers:
Educators, Scholars, and Social Workers:
Georgius Calixtus (Georg Callisen) (1586-1656)
German theologian.

Miscellaneous:
Callisto (f.)
In Greek mythology, the name of a nymph turned into a bear.

Places:
Callisto
A moon of Jupiter.

Religious Figures:
Saint Calixtus (Callistus I) (-222)
Pope from about 217 until 222.
Pope Callistus II (Guido of Burgundy, Guido di Borgogne) (circa 1050-1124)
Pope from 1119 to 1124.
Pope Callistus III (Alfonso de Borja) (1378-1458)
Pope from 1455 to 1458.

Popularity:
Percentage from the 1990 U.S. Census:
less than 0.004 % of males named Calistus, Calisto, etc.

Popularity of Callistus:
Popularity (for newborns):
In the United States...
1880-2004:N/A

Selected Sources:
The Penguin Dictionary of First Names, Pickering, 1999
A Dictionary of First Names, Hanks and Hodges, 1990
The Academy of St. Gabriel (www.s-gabriel.org) - For information on medieval names.

The Social Security Administration Actuarial Note 139 (www.ssa.gov) - For popularity stats 1880-Present
The 1880 U.S. Census- For popularity stats 1850-1880, and other information (it is