Origin, Meaning, And History Of Ophelia
Ophelia has its origins in the ancient Greek word “ōphéleia,” meaning help, benefit, or advantage. Popularly known as one of Shakespeare’s tragic characters in his play ‘Hamlet,’ Ophelia carries an ethereal vibe. Although not a traditional choice, it is a unique name for your baby girl.
Poet Jacopo Sannazaro is believed to have brought this name back to popularity in his poem Arcadia in the 15th century. There aren’t many versions of the name, with only spelling differences in other languages. For instance, it is spelled Ofelia in Italian, Ofeliya in Russian and Bulgarian, and Ophelie in French.
One of the moons of the planet, Uranus, has been named after Hamlet’s Ophelia while an asteroid has also been named 171 Ophelia. In popular culture, the main character of the film Pan’s Labyrinth is named Ofelia, and Morticia’s sister in The Addams Family is also called Ophelia.
The name Ophelia features in many writings, often closely related with the Shakespearean character. More recently, the popular band Lumineers released their single ‘Ophelia’ in 2016, which has since been played over 800 million times on Spotify. There are numerous other songs titled ‘Ophelia’ by various artists and bands.
Many artists of the 19th century named their work Ophelia. An 1883 painting by Alexandre Cabanel, an 1870 painting by Pierre Auguste Cot, and a painting by Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood member Arthur Hughes were named Ophelia.
Considered a delicate and formal-sounding name, Ophelia was popular in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. However, there has been a sharp rise in its popularity in the US since 2015, and it has been steadily rising in the UK and Wales since the early 2000s. Ophelia has also been growing in popularity in Canada since 2020.
Ophelia
Girl
Greek, Judaism
Greek
3
Four
1 word, 7 letters, 4 vowels, 3 consonants
Medium length and moderately easy to pronounce
How To Pronounce Ophelia?
The way you pronounce a name can make all the difference.
Listen to the sound of the name Ophelia in English.
Famous People With The Name Ophelia
- Ophelia BensonAmerican author and feminist
- Ophelia MarieDominican musician
- Ophelia DevoreAmerican businesswoman, publisher, and model
- Ophelia Pastrana ArdilaColombian-Mexican transgender physicist, economist, speaker
- Ophelia Hoff SaytumahLiberian politician
- Ophelia Magdalena DahlBritish-American social justice and healthcare advocate
- Ophelia Alcantara DimalantaFilipino poet, editor, author, and teacher
- Ophélia KolbFrench actress
- Ophelia FordAmerican politician, a former Democratic member
Ophelia On The Popularity Chart
An unconventional name, Ophelia has been growing in popularity in recent times. The graphic representation below will give you more information about its popularity.
Popularity Over Time
The name Ophelia saw a sudden surge in popularity from around 2010 and has been rising since then. Check out the graphic below to find out more.
Source: Social Security AdministrationRank Over Time
Ranked 321 in 2021, the rise of the name Ophelia has been close to meteoric if you look at its rank in 2001, when it was as low as 6247. The graphic below explains the ranking in detail.
Source: Social Security AdministrationNames With Similar Sound As Ophelia
If you love how the name Ophelia sounds, and want your baby’s name to have a different meaning, here are some options to consider. Check them out.
Popular Sibling Names For Ophelia
If you are looking for some matching sibling names that resonate with Ophelia, check our suggestions here.
Boy Sibling Names For Ophelia
Find matching brother names for Ophelia and create a wonderful team of siblings.
AffleckAflatun Afolabi Avalloch Avalok Avalur Avel Avellino Avielle Avilash Girl Sibling Names For Ophelia
Looking for some suitable sister names for Ophelia? Check out our collection of beautiful and unique names.
AefledAflah Aflak Aflaq Avalbane Avalee Avaleigh Avaley Avalie Avalielle Other Popular Names Beginning With O
Looking for more baby names starting with the letter O to resonate with your family’s naming tradition or to rhyme with the sibling names? Find a range of alternative names starting with this letter.
Names With Similar Meaning As Ophelia
Are you looking for another name that has the same meaning as Ophelia? Look no further because we have them listed below.
Infographic: Know The Name Ophelia‘s Personality As Per Numerology
Illustration: Momjunction Design Team
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How To Communicate The Name Ophelia In Other Languages
In Nautical Flags
ophelia
In Sign Language
ophelia
In Braille Alphabet
ophelia
In Morse Code
ophelia
Name Numerology For Ophelia
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the meaning of the name Ophelia?
The name Ophelia means the one who has helping hands.
2. What is the origin of the name Ophelia?
Ophelia has a Greek origin.
3. How to pronounce the name Ophelia?
Ophelia is pronounced as oh-fee-lee-uh.
4. Is Ophelia a popular name?
Ophelia is a popular name in the US. It has been in the top 1000 names in the US since 1900. In 2022, there were 1160 babies named Ophelia and it was the 272nd most popular name during the year (1).
5. What kind of girl is Ophelia?
The name Ophelia is associated with the personality number 9. Individuals with this personality number have a natural charm, grace, and idealism. They have the ability to lead and inspire others, and sometimes they may have a strong belief in their own superiority. They are also known for their compassion, empathy, and kind nature, showing care and concern for others.
References:
- Popularity of name Ophelia.
https://www.ssa.gov/oact/babynames/
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