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The short answer
Apollo is a masculine name used in Greek Mythology. Behind the Name describes it this way: "From Greek Ἀπόλλων (Apollon), which is of unknown meaning, though perhaps related to the Indo-European root *apelo- meaning ‘strength’. Another theory states that Apollo can be equated with Appaliunaš, an Anatolian god whose name possibly means ‘father lion’ or ‘father light’." It ranked #445 for boys in the United States in 2025.
Meaning and etymology
According to Behind the Name, from Greek Ἀπόλλων (Apollon), which is of unknown meaning, though perhaps related to the Indo-European root *apelo- meaning ‘strength’. Another theory states that Apollo can be equated with Appaliunaš, an Anatolian god whose name possibly means ‘father lion’ or ‘father light’. The entry lists its usage as Greek Mythology (Latinized).
Editorial confidence: uncertain
Popularity
Apollo ranked #445 for boys in the United States in 2025. The figure comes from the Social Security Administration's national file for that year.
| Region | Year | Rank | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 2025 | #445 | ssa-2025 |
If you like this name
Names that Behind the Name files under the same origin (Greek Mythology) and that sit near Apollo in the 2025 American rankings.
Similar by origin
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Apollo mean?
Apollo means "strength", according to Behind the Name.
Is Apollo a popular name?
Apollo ranked #445 for boys in the United States in 2025. (Social Security Administration data).
Is Apollo a boy's or a girl's name?
In the 2025 SSA data Apollo appears in the boys' list; Behind the Name labels it masculine.
Sources
- Behind the Name: Meaning, origin and history of the name Apollo — supports meaning, usage, pronunciation, variants.
- U.S. Social Security Administration: Popular Baby Names — national data, year of birth 2025 — supports popularity.
