"uncertain — possibly related to the island of Ikaria"
Origin: Greek
Language: Greek
Icarus
Pronunciation: [ IHK-er-uhs ]
Does Icarus flow with your last name?
The boy who dared to fly — a name of bold ambition
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European
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Bold
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Meaning & Origin
"the one who flew"
Origin: Greek mythology
Language: English
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Things to Know About This Name
- Icarus famously flew too close to the sun and fell — some parents see this as a cautionary name
- The myth is associated with hubris, overreach, and fatal failure
The Story of Icarus
Icarus comes from the Greek 'Ikaros,' whose etymology is uncertain — it may derive from a pre-Greek place name or the Aegean island of Ikaria. In Greek mythology, Icarus was the son of the master craftsman Daedalus. When Daedalus crafted wings of feathers and wax to escape imprisonment by King Minos of Crete, he warned Icarus not to fly too close to the sun. Icarus, overcome by the exhilaration of flight, ignored the warning and the sun melted his wings, sending him plunging into the sea.
Icarus has grown from a purely mythological reference to a fashionable given name in the 2010s-2020s, reflecting a broader trend toward Greek and mythological names. The name appeals to literary and artistic families who appreciate its rich symbolism — both as a warning about hubris and as an ode to human ambition.
Icarus is one of Western culture's most enduring symbols of human aspiration and its limits. The story has inspired countless works of art — from Pieter Bruegel's painting Landscape with the Fall of Icarus to Anne Carson's poetry to David Bowie's Lazarus. For modern parents, it's increasingly read not as a cautionary tale but as a symbol of glorious, fearless ambition.
Historical Record
Icarus first appeared in US Social Security records in 2011.
Over 147 babies have been named Icarus in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Icarus is rising quickly in popularity , currently ranked #5,432 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- The Aegean island of Ikaria is said to have been named after Icarus, who allegedly fell near it
- In a re-reading of the myth, Bruegel's famous painting shows the world indifferent to Icarus's fall — the subject of W.H. Auden's poem Musée des Beaux Arts
- Icarus has become a symbol reinterpreted in the 21st century as a celebration of ambition rather than a warning
Icarus in Other Languages
Greek
Ίκαρος
Latin
Icarus
French
Icare
Italian
Icaro
Spanish
Ícaro
Popularity Over Time
#5,432
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Rising Fast
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Icarus
I
Icarus (documentary subject)
Athlete
Subject of the 2017 Netflix documentary Icarus, which uncovered the Russian Olympic doping scandal and won the Academy A...
Subject of the 2017 Netflix documentary Icarus, which uncovered the Russian Olympic doping scandal and won the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature
I
Icarus Fictional
Other
Son of Daedalus in Greek mythology, who flew too close to the sun with wax wings and fell into the sea
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See all →Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 3
- Popularity Rank
- #5,432
- Total SSA Count
- 18
- Cultural Origins
- American European literary
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Formal
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Common Nicknames
Ick
Icy
Cari
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Icarus
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
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Frequently Asked Questions About Icarus
What does the name Icarus mean?
"uncertain — possibly related to the island of Ikaria" (from Greek). "the one who flew" (from Greek mythology). Icarus comes from the Greek 'Ikaros,' whose etymology is uncertain — it may derive from a pre-Greek place name or the Aegean island of Ikaria. In Greek mythology, Icarus was the son of the master craftsman Daedalus. When Daedalus crafted wings of feathers and wax to escape imprisonment by King Minos of Crete, he warned Icarus not to fly too close to the sun. Icarus, overcome by the exhilaration of flight, ignored the warning and the sun melted his wings, sending him plunging into the sea.
What is the origin of the name Icarus?
Icarus has Greek, Greek mythology, American, European, and literary origins. In Greek, it means "uncertain — possibly related to the island of Ikaria". In Greek mythology, it means "the one who flew".
Is Icarus a boy or girl name?
Icarus is primarily used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Icarus?
Icarus is pronounced IHK-er-uhs.
How popular is the name Icarus?
Icarus is currently ranked #5432 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Icarus?
Common nicknames for Icarus include Ick, Icy, and Cari.
What are good middle names for Icarus?
Popular middle name pairings include Icarus James, Icarus Cole, Icarus Sol, Icarus Atticus, Icarus August, Icarus Felix, and Icarus Orion.
What are good sibling names for Icarus?
Names that pair well with Icarus as siblings include Daedalus, Orion, Apollo, Hermes, Selene, Persephone, and Cassius.
How many syllables does Icarus have?
Icarus has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.
Is Icarus a common or rare name?
Icarus is an uncommon name, ranked #5432 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
About the Name Icarus
Icarus is a boy name with American, European, and literary origins . The name means "uncertain — possibly related to the island of Ikaria" in Greek .
Icarus is currently ranked #5,432 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Icarus has 3 syllables and is pronounced IHK-er-uhs, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Icarus include Ick, Icy, and Cari. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
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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