Girl · 427th of 30,306
Ophelia
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
24,590
Total Births
145
Years of Data
2024
Peak Popularity Year
1,215
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Ophelia stands across generations
Rankings for U.S. births from 2013 to 2024.
Based on the most recent three-year movement in the national data.
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Meaning, origin & U.S. popularity
Summary
Ophelia is a name of Greek origin meaning 'help' or 'benefit.' It has evolved through ancient Greek and Latin into modern English. The name is most famously associated with a tragic character in Shakespeare's 'Hamlet,' contributing to its romantic and artistic image. It has no direct biblical relevance and gained popularity in the 19th century. Variants include Ophélie and Ofelia, and it is currently perceived as elegant and literary.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/əˈfiːliə/
Origin
Greek
Etymology
The name Ophelia is derived from the Greek word 'opheleia,' which means 'help' or 'benefit.' It is often associated with the character Ophelia from William Shakespeare's play 'Hamlet.'
Meaning
help, benefit
Language Evolution
Ophelia (Ancient Greek), Ophelia (Latin), Ophelia (English)
Historical Usage
The name gained popularity in the 19th century, particularly due to its association with literature, including Shakespeare's works.
Variants & Derivatives
Ophélie (French), Ofelia (Spanish), Ophelya (variant spelling)
Modern Popularity & Image
Today, Ophelia is often viewed as a romantic and tragic name, evoking literary and artistic connections. It is appreciated for its elegance and historical significance.
Famous People
Ophelia Benson (philosopher and writer), Ophelia Lovibond (actress), Ophelia Huxley (British author)
Trend Analysis
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Rising
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
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Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Highly Popular name with 1,215 peak births in 2024
Geographic Spread
Popular across 50 US states, with strongest presence in Mississippi
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 8 different American generations with varying popularity
Alternative spellings & similar sounds
Compare 2 names that share a similar pronunciation but use different spellings.
Historical Birth Statistics
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History
Full popularity table across American generations 8 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 6100th of 7545 | 15 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 353rd of 9107 | 6,196 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 516th of 9204 | 3,337 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 900th of 12526 | 2,354 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 1955th of 19264 | 719 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 3578th of 27321 | 440 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 2865th of 35406 | 898 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 427th of 30306 | 9,002 |