Etymology & Historical Origin of the Baby Name Echo

Echo is an English word derived from the Greek “ēchos” (ἦχος) meaning “sound”. An echo is essentially the repetition of sound created by sound waves reflecting off a surface (something that repeats or imitates). In Greek mythology, Echo was a mountain nymph who loved the sound of her own voice so much that she would talk endlessly. Zeus recruited her to distract his wife, Hera, so that he could pursue adulterous affairs with the other mountain nymphs. Obediently, Echo chattered away to Hera until Hera discovered the ruse. The angry Hera punished Echo by ridding the nymph of her most cherished asset, her beloved voice. Forevermore, Echo would only be able to repeat the sounds other people make. For more mythology surrounding Echo, see literary references below. As a female given name, Echo is more or less an American invention and probably a throwback to the counterculture days of the 1960s.

All About the Baby Name – Echo

Personality

OF THE GIRL NAME ECHO

The Master Number Twenty-Two combines the traits of Twos and Fours into a powerful force. The references to The Master Builder and "large undertakings" serve to underscore the massive potential of this personality. They are extremely capable and therefore almost always successful. Twenty-Twos are courageous leaders, innovative thinkers, extremely wise and highly organized. As such, they are able to manifest something of major importance that will have a lasting impact on this world. Master Numbers carry with them a great sense of responsibility, so it can be a burden. However, Twenty-Twos are executors and action-takers. Further, this personality exhibits traits of the Twos, which brings sensitivity, spirituality and harmony, so their endeavors are likely to benefit mankind in some capacity.

Popularity

OF THE GIRL NAME ECHO

Echo has only been used with enough frequency to land a position on America’s Top 1000 list for two years (1983 and 1984). Other than that, Echo has pretty much been off the radar. For instance, in 2012, only 71 baby girls received the moniker Echo (and 10 baby boys). Out of almost four million babies. By all measures, Echo is a rare name, and you’re not likely to meet one anytime soon. However, there’s something attractive about it – totally different and unique, with a dose of unconventionality. Plus it’s the real name of a woman…well, to be more accurate, the personification of a mountain nymph. We love the stories behind Echo – they are a bit melancholy, yes; but they are also attention-grabbing. Ok, we get the potential for endless jokes. “Hi, my name is Echo” to which everyone might reply “Hi, my name is Echo.” Or “ECHO… ECHo… ECho… Echo… echo…” or “What’s your name?” “Echo” “Can you repeat that, please?” Yuk, yuk, yuk, yuk. A small nuisance for such a unique name. Echo is a cool name. Echo is a cool name. Echo is a cool name….

Quick Facts

ON ECHO

GENDER:

Girl

ORIGIN:

English

NUMBER OF SYLLABLES:

2

RANKING POPULARITY:

N/A

PRONUNCIATION:

EK-oh

SIMPLE MEANING:

Sound

Characteristics

OF ECHO

The Master Builder

Leader

Large Undertakings

Confidence

Discipline

Organization

Cultural References to the Baby Name – Echo

Literary Characters

OF THE BABY NAME ECHO

The mountain nymph Echo is also indelibly tied to Narcissus in various Greek mythologies. Probably the most popular version of the story is handed down to us by Ovid, the ancient Roman/Latin author, in Book III of his “Metamorphoses”. In the tale of “Narcissus and Echo”, the mountain-dwelling nymph Echo spies the beautiful youth, Narcissus, in the woods hunting for deer. She immediately falls in love with him. However, every youth and girl in the land was also in love with Narcissus, but he had a “haughty heart” and spurned all his pursuers. That day he heard a sound in the woods and called out “Anyone here?” to which Echo replied “Here!” He said again, “Come this way!” and Echo repeated “This way!” Finally Narcissus exclaims “Join me here!”. Echo’s heart leapt with joy as she repeated the young man’s words and emerged from the woods to be with him. Alarmed at the sight of Echo, Narcissus screams “I’ll die before I yield to you!” (“I yield to you!” says Echo). The rejected nymph is left to pine away in the woods, her former self being reduced down only to her echoing sounds. Having witnessed the many cruel rejections handed down by the youthful boy, the god Nemesis decides to take revenge (“So may he love – and never win his love!”). Eventually Narcissus comes upon a perfectly still pond and bends down to “slake his thirst”. He sees his own beautiful face in the water’s reflection and instantly falls in love: “Not knowing what he sees, he adores the sight; / That false face fools and fuels his delight.” Narcissus eventually succumbs to death as he pines away at the water’s edge, refusing to leave his own lovely image. His final word is “Farewell!”; to which the dependable Echo repeats “Farewell!” The once beautiful boy withers away to nothing except the narcissus flower which sprung up in his place “White petals clustered round a cup of gold!”

Childrens Books

ON THE BABY NAME ECHO

We cannot find any childrens books with the first name Echo


Popular Songs

ON ECHO

Echo
a song by Jason Walker

Famous People

NAMED ECHO

We cannot find any celebrities or significantly famous people with the first name Echo.

Children of Famous People

NAMED ECHO

We cannot find any children of famous people with the first name Echo

Historic Figures

WITH THE NAME ECHO

We cannot find any historically significant people with the first name Echo