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Home › Baby Names Directory › Callista

Callista

♀ Girl

Pronounced kah-LISS-tah /kɑˈlɪs.tɑ/High

Meaning: From Greek kallista, 'most beautiful' — the superlative of kallos, 'beauty'; double-l classic formHigh

In 30 seconds: Beauty's superlative, classically spelled: Callista is the Greek 'most beautiful' — the nymph who became the Great Bear, the actress who became Ally McBeal. Starry and complete.
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Origin HighGreek
MeaningFrom Greek kallista, 'most beautiful' — the superlative of kallos, 'beauty'; double-l classic form
U.S. rank (2025)#3585 ↗ Rising
2025 U.S. births42 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)
Peak year1999
Total births (all-time)≈ 2,485

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 199919142025

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Callista is the double-l form of Greek kallista, 'most beautiful' — superlative of kallos, 'beauty', tied to the myth of Callisto, set among the stars as the Great Bear. Actress Callista Flockhart anchors its modern fame.

In the U.S. it is rare, classical, and starlit. Most-beautiful at the root, and constellation-bound.

Did you know? Callisto, transformed into Ursa Major, still wheels the northern sky — and her Jovian moon namesake is one of the solar system's largest; 'most beautiful' travels far.
Overall data confidence 88%
Behind the Name — Callista — etymology

Variations

CalistaKalistaCallisto

Nicknames

CallieLissy

Famous Bearers

  • ★Calista Flockhart (1964–present)
    American actress, star of Ally McBeal.

If you like Callista…

Calista— the single-l sister form
Callie— the 'beauty' short form
Cassandra— a fellow grand Greek classic
Celestia— the companion celestial pick

Explore names like Callista

By themegreekmythologicalbeauty
By meaningBeauty

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does the name Callista mean?

Callista is Greek for 'most beautiful', the superlative of kallos, 'beauty'.

How do you pronounce Callista?

It's said kah-LISS-tah /kɑˈlɪs.tɑ/ — three syllables, stress on the second.

Is Callista a boy or girl name?

Callista is a girl's name.

How popular is Callista?

Callista is a rare name in the U.S.

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