Bedelia Girl
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: beh-DEE-lee-uh //bɛˈdiːliə//
Origin: Irish; Latin
Meaning: Irish: 'strength'; Latin: 'little one'
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Bedelia is believed to have Irish origins, derived from the Gaelic name "Béidil," which is a diminutive form of "Béidhil." The literal meaning of Bedelia is often interpreted as "little one" or "young one." The name made its way into English through the influence of Irish culture and language, particularly during the 19th century when Irish names began to be adopted more widely in English-speaking countries, especially in the United States due to immigration. Historically, Bedelia is associated with various cultural narratives and has appeared in literature and folklore.
One notable reference is in the 19th century when the name was popularized by the character Bedelia in the works of American author and poet, John Greenleaf Whittier, who wrote about her in his poem "The Ballad of Phaëthon" in the mid-1800s. Additionally, the name has been linked to the Irish tradition of naming children after saints and significant figures, although there are no specific saints named Bedelia.
This connection to cultural heritage has contributed to the name's endurance over time. Culturally, Bedelia carries connotations of warmth and affection, often associated with familial bonds and nurturing qualities.
The name's diminutive form, "Biddy," has also been used historically, particularly in Irish communities, as a term of endearment. The name's resonance in literature and its ties to Irish identity have helped maintain its presence in various cultural contexts, reflecting the broader themes of family, heritage, and community.
Famous people named Bedelia
In this section, you will find notable people named Bedelia. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Bedelia who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Bedelia who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.
Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.
Bedelia is a fictional character best known for her role in the film series 'The Exorcist'.
Bedelia is a character in the television series 'Hannibal' portrayed by actress Gillian Anderson.
Fictional characters named Bedelia
The following list of fictional characters named Bedelia is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.
You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.
Bedelia Du Maurier is a fictional character from the TV series Hannibal. She is a psychiatrist and a close associate of Dr. Hannibal Lecter, often caught in the moral complexities of his actions.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Bedelia, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
Similar names
Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Bedelia. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Bedelia was first seen in the United States in 1918.
Bedelia has ranked as high as #3312 nationally, which occurred in 1947, and has been most popular in California.
In the past 5 years the name Bedelia has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Bedelia is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Bedelia was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Bedelia.
| Year | Total Births | Girl |
|---|---|---|
| 1968 | 7 | 7 |
| 1966 | 5 | 5 |
| 1959 | 5 | 5 |
| 1956 | 5 | 5 |
| 1955 | 5 | 5 |
| 1950 | 6 | 6 |
| 1949 | 7 | 7 |
| 1948 | 11 | 11 |
| 1947 | 24 | 24 |
| 1918 | 6 | 6 |
Top States for Bedelia (1947)
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| CA | 5 |