The nameOphelia
Ophelia is the name of Hamlet's tragic love in Shakespeare. Long avoided, it is now rising in Britain and the United States.
- Girl's name
- Greek
Meaning
Ophelia comes from the Greek opheleia, "help, benefit".
Origin
Greek, used by the Italian poet Sannazaro and then by Shakespeare in Hamlet (around 1600).
History
Ophelia's drowning, painted by John Everett Millais, made her an icon. The name reached 73rd place in England and Wales in 2024, and in the United States it had its highest number of births in 2024.
Famous people named Ophelia
- Ophelia Lovibond, actress
Popularity of the name Ophelia
Ophelia in the United States
Ophelia was most popular in the United States in the 2020s, with 5,365 births over the decade, 22% of all recorded babies named Ophelia. Its rise began around 1900, and it peaked in 2024. Half of all babies named Ophelia in the United States were born before 1953, so it is mostly a grandparents' generation name. Over the last five years on record, it has been rising: 1,073 births a year on average, against 645 in the five years before.
Ophelia in the United Kingdom
Ophelia was most popular in the United Kingdom in the 2020s, with 3,265 births over the decade, 58% of all recorded babies named Ophelia. Its rise began around 2008, and it peaked in 2024. Half of all babies named Ophelia in the United Kingdom were born before 2021, so it is mostly a name of today's children and teenagers. Over the last five years on record, it has been rising: 597 births a year on average, against 268 in the five years before.
Ophelia in France
Sibling names for Ophelia
Names from the same generation as Ophelia, whose popularity in the United States has followed a similar path.
How many people are named Ophelia? See the counter → · What would your name be in 1950? · Name origin quiz
Compare Ophelia with another name
Meaning, origin and popularity of Ophelia side by side with the name of your choice.
Ophelia in our baby name lists
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Ophelia mean?
Ophelia comes from the Greek opheleia, "help, benefit".
What is the origin of the name Ophelia?
Greek, used by the Italian poet Sannazaro and then by Shakespeare in Hamlet (around 1600).
Is Ophelia a girl's or a boy's name?
Ophelia is a girl's name.
How popular is the name Ophelia?
In 2024, Ophelia was the 261st most popular name for baby girls in the United States, with 1,215 births.
What are good sibling names for Ophelia?
Names from the same generation, with a similar popularity in the United States: Alessia, Freya, Poppy and Maisie for a sister, Zayn, Arlo, Otto and Matias for a brother.
Who are famous people named Ophelia?
Ophelia Lovibond, actress.