Calista Name Meaning & Origin
Calista
Origin of the name Calista:
From the Greek Kallistō, a name meaning "she that is most beautiful," which is derived from kallos (beauty, beautiful). The name is borne in Roman mythology by a nymph, a daughter of the Arcadian king Lycaon, and mother of Arcas. Beloved by Jupiter, she was transformed into a she-bear by Juno and then placed among the constellations.
From A World of Baby Names by Teresa Norman.
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- Comments and insights on the name Calista
We named our daughter (born in Sept/2018) Calista. We pronounce it Ka-LEE-sta and i correct people when they say it differently. Calista has 3 older brothers and a sister. Her sister is named Astrid and I wanted something unique but old to match. It is commented to me often how beautiful of a baby Calista is, and I always think how it matches the meaning of her name! People do sometimes have to ask me how to say or spell it a couple times before they get it, but I get a lot of compliments on the name. It fits her perfectly. She has a very spunky, strong willed personality but she is still very sweet and affectionate. People are drawn to her and always try to get her attention or ask to hold her (in settings like church). My husband is Hispanic and often in the hispanic community they say "Calixta" and i dont know why (lol). I dont care as long as its not with a short "i" like Ka-LISS-ta! Just my preference. We havent really used any nicknames but her siblings chant "Calista-lista" playfully.
My Mother, born 1914 was named Calista LaRue. Inamed my Daughter Calista Dawn and my Granddaughter is named Calista Renee. My Mother was named after a French nun Sister Calista, who raised my Grandmother.
A friend of mine spells it Calysta, pronounced the same way as Calista. Sometimes I think the "y" replacing the "i" in a name looks silly or contrived, but I think this spelling makes the name even more beautiful and unusual.
I have a Kallista who joins a Kailee and a Wolfie. She is not named after anyone in our family, the name was chosen because it started with a K and could not be found on a pencil. We figured since the other kids has unusual names that were not commonly found on cups or pencils then so should the 3rd child. Her nicknames include Lou Lou which has nothing to do with Kallista but since we call Kailee Lee Lee it seems to fit. We also call her Bitzy or Litzbitz which have just sort of evolved over the years
- Personal experiences with the name Calista
Recently had friends who named there little girl Calista (nn Callie). She joined big brother Jackson (nn Jack). We love the combination of formal and nicknames together! Fresh and classic combined.
My name is Calista and NOBODY knows how to pronounce it. My nickname is Callie and still, nobody pronounces it right.
- Nicknames for Calista
Cal, Callie, Cali, Lissy
- Meanings and history of the name Calista
I was named Calista with the nickname Cally. The pronunciation shown on this site is the way it was given to me, as well (kuh-LEE-stuh). I admit that I don't usually correct people who pronounce it kuh-LISS-tuh unless they ask, but it does bother me a little that Calista Flockhart has the name and mispronounces it. Of course, it could be that it's not her real name and an agent gave it to her and mispronounced it. :)
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Actually, Calista FLockhart was named after her mother and her grandmother who also bear the name. Also, I know 2 Calistas (one Callie) and both of them pronounce it kuh-LISS-tuh. :)I am 30 years old also named Calista and pronounce it kuh-LISS-tuh and do correct people when they say it wrong. I was also named after my Great Grandmother. My sister could not say my name when I was born so I was called sissy until I was 6 but prefer no nicknames now.
- Famous real-life people named Calista
Calista Flockhart - American actress
- Calista in song, story & screen
Caliste is the beautiful but tragic title character in the eighteenth-century novel by Isabelle de Charrière. Calista is also the main character in "The Fair Penitent," a very popular early eighteenth-century play by Nicolas Rowe. Sarah Siddons was the most famous real-life actress who played the role of Calista. (But the character Caliste in Charrière's novel is an actress who becomes known by the name of her most successful role...which is Calista in "The Fair Penitent"!).