Calista means most beautiful — from the Greek kallistos, the superlative of kalos (beautiful). Calista Flockhart played Ally McBeal — one of TV's most iconic characters. In mythology, Callisto was a nymph Zeus loved, who became the constellation Ursa Major. Three syllables of the Greek superlative for beauty, Ally-McBeal-level TV, and the nymph who became the Great Bear in the sky.
Calista Flockhart is Ally McBeal — one of TV's most iconic.
The meaning MOST BEAUTIFUL is the Greek superlative.
Callisto became the Great Bear constellation.
Three syllables with a bright, Greek sound: kah-LIST-ah.
The superlative form is the maximum of beauty.
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The vibe of Calista
most beautifulGreekkallistossuperlativeFlockhartAlly McBealCallistoGreat BearUrsa Major
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Origin & history of Calista
Greek kallistos (most beautiful)→Calista
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English / Greek / Portuguese / Spanish roots
Calista comes from the Greek kallistos meaning most beautiful — the superlative. Calista Flockhart played Ally McBeal. Callisto became the constellation Ursa Major.
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First recorded
Earliest known use: Greek; Calista Flockhart (born 1964).
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Today
Calista remains a beloved choice, ranking #1558 in the US. 7,372 babies have been named Calista since 1894.
◈ Sources: Behind the Name, Oxford Dictionary of First Names, SSA data
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How popular is Calista?
1999peak year
Calista has settled into a steady rhythm — neither rising sharply nor fading, holding a consistent place in U.S. birth records. It currently ranks well outside the top 1,000 (around #1558), with about 142 babies named Calista each year. In 1999, 490 babies received the name (ranked #519). Total registrations across all years since 1880: roughly 7,372.
Year-by-year registrations1880–2024 · U.S. Social Security data
Calista's Life Path 3 is the communicator's number — most-beautiful communication. People named Calista tend to be bright, superlative, and gifted at being the Greek maximum of beauty.
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