Pelagia Girl
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: peh-LAH-gee-ah /pəˈleɪdʒə/
Origin: Greek; Latin
Meaning: Greek: of the sea; Latin: sea
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Pelagia is derived from the Greek word "pelagos," meaning "sea" or "ocean." Its earliest forms can be traced back to ancient Greece, where it was used as a feminine given name. The name entered Latin as "Pelagia," maintaining its association with the sea, and subsequently made its way into various languages, including English, through ecclesiastical Latin and the influence of the Christian tradition.
The name is often linked to the sea's vastness and depth, symbolizing mystery and beauty. Historically, the name Pelagia is notably associated with Saint Pelagia, a 4th-century Christian martyr from Antioch, who was venerated in both the Eastern and Western Christian traditions.
Her story, which includes themes of repentance and transformation, contributed to the name's adoption in Christian contexts. The name appears in various hagiographies and liturgical texts throughout the centuries, reinforcing its significance in the Christian community.
The most famous account of Saint Pelagia is found in the writings of the early church fathers, who highlighted her piety and dedication. Culturally, the name Pelagia has resonated through various artistic and literary works, often symbolizing purity and devotion.
In some traditions, the name is celebrated on the feast day of Saint Pelagia, which further solidifies its place in religious and cultural practices. The diminutive form "Pela" has also been used in some regions, reflecting a more intimate or affectionate version of the name.
Overall, Pelagia's enduring presence in religious texts and its evocative meaning related to the sea have contributed to its lasting significance across cultures and eras.
Famous people named Pelagia
In this section, you will find notable people named Pelagia. 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 Pelagia who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Pelagia 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.
Pelagia is a saint best known for her piety and dedication to Christianity.
Fictional characters named Pelagia
The following list of fictional characters named Pelagia 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.
Pelagia is a fictional character from the novel Captain Corelli's Mandolin. She is a strong-willed young woman who navigates love and conflict during World War II in Greece.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Pelagia, 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 Pelagia. 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 Pelagia was first seen in the United States in 1886.
Pelagia has ranked as high as #830 nationally, which occurred in 1916, and has been most popular in .
In the past 5 years the name Pelagia has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Pelagia 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 Pelagia was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Pelagia
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. In some cases, you may see four or five states listed. However, we only display states where the name represents a significant percentage of births, so the number of states shown can range from one to several.
No state data available for this year.
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 Pelagia.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2019 | 5 |
| 2017 | 5 |
| 2015 | 6 |
| 1977 | 5 |
| 1928 | 5 |
| 1925 | 6 |
| 1924 | 5 |
| 1918 | 9 |
| 1916 | 10 |
| 1915 | 5 |
| 1913 | 7 |
| 1907 | 5 |
| 1898 | 5 |
| 1893 | 7 |
| 1886 | 6 |