Ophir Boy
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: OH-fir /ˈoʊfɪr/
Origin: Hebrew; Arabic
Meaning: Hebrew: 'gold'; Arabic: 'a place of gold'
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Ophir has its roots in ancient Semitic languages, likely deriving from the Hebrew word אֹפִיר (Ophir), which is believed to mean "gold" or "riches." The earliest references to Ophir can be traced back to the Hebrew Bible, where it is mentioned as a region known for its wealth and precious resources, particularly gold, silver, ivory, and exotic animals. The exact geographical location of Ophir remains a subject of debate among scholars, with suggestions ranging from the Arabian Peninsula to regions in Africa or India.
The name entered the English language through translations of the Bible, particularly the King James Version published in 1611, which popularized its use in Christian contexts. Historically, Ophir is significant for its association with King Solomon, who is said to have sent ships to Ophir to acquire wealth for his kingdom during the 10th century BCE.
This biblical narrative has contributed to the name's enduring legacy, symbolizing prosperity and abundance. The voyages to Ophir are described in the First Book of Kings, where the riches brought back are depicted as a testament to Solomon's wisdom and the grandeur of his reign.
The allure of Ophir as a land of wealth has inspired various literary and artistic works throughout history, reinforcing its cultural resonance. In addition to its biblical significance, Ophir has been referenced in various historical texts and has been associated with exploration and adventure, as many sought to locate the fabled land.
The name has also been used in various forms of literature and art, symbolizing the quest for wealth and the allure of the unknown. Its historical and cultural significance has allowed the name to endure across centuries, maintaining a connection to themes of richness and exploration.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Ophir, 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 Ophir. 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 Ophir was first seen in the United States in 1978.
Ophir has ranked as high as #24645 nationally, which occurred in 2007, and has been most popular in .
In the past 5 years the name Ophir has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Ophir 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 Ophir 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 Ophir.
| Year | Total Births | Boy |
|---|---|---|
| 2007 | 6 | 6 |
| 1998 | 5 | 5 |
| 1978 | 5 | 5 |
Top States for Ophir
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.
No state data available for this year.