"peacock"
Origin: Old English
Language: English
Poe
Pronunciation: [ p-OH ]
Does Poe flow with your last name?
One syllable that contains a universe of dark poetry
English
American
Literary
Dark
Distinctive
Mysterious
Modern
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Meaning & Origin
"literary surname evoking mystery and Gothic imagination"
Origin: American English
Language: English
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Things to Know About This Name
- Edgar Allan Poe's association with death and madness
The Story of Poe
Poe as a surname derives from an Old English word for peacock — a bird of striking beauty and elaborate display. The name gained its primary cultural resonance through Edgar Allan Poe (1809–1849), the American poet and short story writer who essentially invented the modern mystery and horror genres. His tales of the macabre — The Raven, The Tell-Tale Heart, The Fall of the House of Usher — have made 'Poe' a byword for Gothic atmosphere, poetic intensity, and dark imagination. As a given name, Poe carries this literary weight with remarkable efficiency: one syllable, immediate impact.
Poe is a rising choice among literary-minded parents who want a name that carries cultural depth without being overtly old-fashioned. It sits alongside Keats, Frost, and Emerson in the category of literary surname names. In the Star Wars sequel trilogy, the character Poe Dameron (played by Oscar Isaac) reintroduced the name to a new generation with a heroic, dashing connotation that balances its darker literary history.
Edgar Allan Poe is widely credited with creating the detective fiction genre (through C. Auguste Dupin), perfecting the psychological horror story, and developing the aesthetic theory of the 'unity of effect' in short fiction. His poem The Raven remains one of the most memorized poems in American education. The name Poe thus carries a heritage of literary genius, atmospheric darkness, and formal innovation.
Historical Record
Poe first appeared in US Social Security records in 2014.
Over 23 babies have been named Poe in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Poe is a new entry on the US charts , currently ranked #25,889 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Edgar Allan Poe's The Raven was published in January 1845 and made him immediately famous, though he earned only $9 for it
- Poe is credited with inventing the modern detective story through his character C. Auguste Dupin, who directly inspired Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes
- Poe Dameron in Star Wars was named after the character from the classic movie Dameron, combined with Poe as a poetic reference
Poe in Other Languages
Latin
Pavo
French
Paon
German
Pfau
Italian
Pavone
Spanish
Pavo Real
Popularity Over Time
#25,889
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
New Entry
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Poe
P
Poe (musician)
Musician
1969
American singer-songwriter known for the albums Hello and Haunted
E
Edgar Allan Poe
Writer
1809
American author who invented horror fiction and the detective story; wrote The Raven, The Tell-Tale Heart, and dozens of...
American author who invented horror fiction and the detective story; wrote The Raven, The Tell-Tale Heart, and dozens of Gothic masterpieces
P
Poe Dameron Fictional
Other
The dashing X-wing pilot played by Oscar Isaac in the Star Wars sequel trilogy
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Compare Poe with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 1
- Popularity Rank
- #25,889
- Total SSA Count
- 6
- Cultural Origins
- English American
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Casual
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
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Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Poe
5 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Boy Name
Poe is also used as a boy name, ranked #27121.
View Poe as a boy name →Similar Names
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Scottish Gaelic influenced origin
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Frequently Asked Questions About Poe
What does the name Poe mean?
"peacock" (from Old English). "literary surname evoking mystery and Gothic imagination" (from American English). Poe as a surname derives from an Old English word for peacock — a bird of striking beauty and elaborate display. The name gained its primary cultural resonance through Edgar Allan Poe (1809–1849), the American poet and short story writer who essentially invented the modern mystery and horror genres. His tales of the macabre — The Raven, The Tell-Tale Heart, The Fall of the House of Usher — have made 'Poe' a byword for Gothic atmosphere, poetic intensity, and dark imagination. As a given name, Poe carries this literary weight with remarkable efficiency: one syllable, immediate impact.
What is the origin of the name Poe?
Poe has Old English, American English, English, and American origins. In Old English, it means "peacock". In American English, it means "literary surname evoking mystery and Gothic imagination".
Is Poe a boy or girl name?
Poe is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #25889. As a boy name, it is ranked #27121. Poe is more commonly used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Poe?
Poe is pronounced p-OH.
How popular is the name Poe?
Poe is currently ranked #25889 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are good middle names for Poe?
Popular middle name pairings include Poe Grace, Poe Elaine, Poe River, Poe Blue, and Poe Wren.
What are good sibling names for Poe?
Names that pair well with Poe as siblings include Raven, Keats, Frost, Sage, and Emerson.
How many syllables does Poe have?
Poe has 1 syllable, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Poe a common or rare name?
Poe is an uncommon name, ranked #25889 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
About the Name Poe
Poe is a girl name with English and American origins . The name means "peacock" in Old English .
Is Poe a boy or girl name? Poe is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #25,889 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #27,121. Poe is more commonly used as a girl name.
Poe is currently ranked #25,889 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Poe has 1 syllable and is pronounced p-OH, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis