Ophelia Girl

Popularity: #251 · Trend: ↗ Rising

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: oh-FEEL-yah /oʊˈfiːliə/

Origin: Greek; Latin

Meaning: Greek: help; Latin: serpent

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Ophelia has its roots in the ancient Greek language, deriving from the word "ophelos," which means "help" or "advantage." This etymological origin reflects a sense of support or assistance, which has been a significant aspect of its interpretation throughout history. The name was adopted into Latin as "Ophelia," and subsequently made its way into Old French before entering the English lexicon, particularly during the Renaissance when classical names gained popularity in Europe.

Ophelia is notably recognized from William Shakespeare's play "Hamlet," written in the early 17th century. In this tragedy, Ophelia is a complex character whose tragic fate has resonated with audiences for centuries.

The character's portrayal has influenced various artistic interpretations, including literature, visual arts, and music, solidifying the name's association with themes of love, madness, and loss. Shakespeare's work played a crucial role in popularizing the name in English-speaking cultures, and it has since been referenced in numerous literary and artistic contexts.

The name Ophelia has also been linked to various cultural and symbolic meanings, often embodying notions of beauty and fragility. In the context of Victorian literature and art, Ophelia became a symbol of the idealized woman, often depicted in paintings and poems that emphasize her ethereal qualities.

This cultural resonance has contributed to the name's enduring presence in various artistic expressions, highlighting its emotional depth and complexity. Additionally, diminutive forms such as "Effie" have emerged, reflecting the name's adaptability and continued relevance in different cultural narratives.

Famous people named Ophelia

In this section, you will find notable people named Ophelia. 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 Ophelia who have made a significant impact on popular culture.

We also feature individuals named Ophelia 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.

Ophelia Lovibond is an actress best known for Guardians of the Galaxy, Mr. Sloane, and Elementary.

Ophelia Field is an author best known for her biographies and historical works.

Fictional characters named Ophelia

The following list of fictional characters named Ophelia 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.

Ophelia is a fictional character from the play Hamlet by William Shakespeare. She is the tragic love interest of Prince Hamlet and represents themes of madness and innocence.

Sibling suggestions

If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Ophelia, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.

OliviaOctaviaOpalOrianaOdelia

Similar names

Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Ophelia. 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.

AmeliaSophiaIsabellaCeciliaAureliaElenaSelenaLydia

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Ophelia was first seen in the United States in 1880.

Ophelia has ranked as high as #549 nationally, which occurred in 2024, and has been most popular in Texas, California, Georgia, North Carolina, and Louisiana.

In the past 5 years the name Ophelia has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Ophelia 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 Ophelia 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 Ophelia.

Year Total Births Boy Girl
2025 1,183 0 1,183
2024 1,223 0 1,223
2023 1,177 0 1,177
2022 1,169 0 1,169
2021 1,014 0 1,014
2020 794 0 794
2019 813 0 813
2018 839 0 839
2017 765 0 765
2016 533 0 533
2015 276 0 276
2014 226 0 226
2013 185 0 185
2012 139 0 139
2011 109 0 109
2010 96 0 96
2009 76 0 76
2008 101 0 101
2007 66 0 66
2006 47 0 47
2005 43 0 43
2004 33 0 33
2003 37 0 37
2002 32 0 32
2001 18 0 18
2000 21 0 21
1999 27 0 27
1998 28 0 28
1997 25 0 25
1996 29 0 29
1995 22 0 22
1994 27 0 27
1993 26 0 26
1992 17 0 17
1991 24 0 24
1990 27 0 27
1989 19 0 19
1988 21 0 21
1987 25 0 25
1986 45 0 45
1985 35 0 35
1984 30 0 30
1983 24 0 24
1982 35 0 35
1981 34 0 34
1980 27 0 27
1979 36 0 36
1978 35 0 35
1977 32 0 32
1976 36 0 36
1975 38 0 38
1974 31 0 31
1973 44 0 44
1972 56 0 56
1971 39 0 39
1970 50 0 50
1969 55 0 55
1968 53 0 53
1967 55 0 55
1966 66 0 66
1965 67 0 67
1964 72 0 72
1963 75 0 75
1962 87 0 87
1961 87 0 87
1960 103 0 103
1959 105 0 105
1958 133 0 133
1957 133 0 133
1956 121 0 121
1955 111 0 111
1954 158 0 158
1953 159 0 159
1952 133 0 133
1951 163 0 163
1950 172 0 172
1949 139 0 139
1948 141 0 141
1947 146 0 146
1946 115 0 115
1945 119 0 119
1944 140 0 140
1943 165 0 165
1942 147 0 147
1941 131 0 131
1940 149 0 149
1939 144 0 144
1938 167 0 167
1937 184 0 184
1936 171 0 171
1935 186 0 186
1934 196 0 196
1933 211 0 211
1932 237 0 237
1931 201 0 201
1930 251 0 251
1929 255 0 255
1928 283 0 283
1927 316 5 311
1926 314 0 314
1925 364 0 364
1924 367 5 362
1923 323 0 323
1922 364 0 364
1921 347 0 347
1920 353 0 353
1919 331 0 331
1918 313 0 313
1917 285 0 285
1916 266 0 266
1915 265 5 260
1914 224 0 224
1913 187 0 187
1912 208 0 208
1911 129 0 129
1910 169 0 169
1909 160 0 160
1908 124 0 124
1907 132 0 132
1906 120 0 120
1905 125 0 125
1904 109 0 109
1903 122 0 122
1902 95 0 95
1901 99 0 99
1900 150 0 150
1899 112 0 112
1898 99 0 99
1897 103 0 103
1896 79 0 79
1895 91 0 91
1894 77 0 77
1893 89 0 89
1892 101 0 101
1891 83 0 83
1890 65 0 65
1889 75 0 75
1888 81 0 81
1887 70 0 70
1886 60 0 60
1885 51 0 51
1884 61 0 61
1883 55 0 55
1882 56 0 56
1881 27 0 27
1880 44 0 44

Top States for Ophelia (2024)

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
TX 93
8%
CA 89
7%
FL 58
5%
OH 55
5%
IN 52
4%
PA 47
4%
MI 46
4%
NC 42
3%
IL 41
3%
NY 41
3%
MO 39
3%
WA 36
3%
CO 33
3%
WI 29
2%
AZ 29
2%
TN 29
2%
GA 29
2%
OK 27
2%
VA 26
2%
UT 24
2%
AR 22
2%
MN 22
2%
MA 21
2%
OR 20
2%
LA 18
1%
NJ 17
1%
IA 16
1%
NE 16
1%
NH 16
1%
MD 15
1%
SC 14
1%
AL 13
1%
ID 13
1%
NV 13
1%
CT 12
1%
ME 11
1%
KS 11
1%
NM 11
1%
MS 10
1%
KY 10
1%
MT 9
1%
SD 6
0%
WY 6
0%
VT 6
0%
ND 6
0%
WV 5
0%