"work, industriousness"
Origin: Germanic
Language: English
Amelia
Pronunciation: [ uhm-EELY-uh ]
Girl Name
#3 Most Popular
Rising
4 Syllables
The aviator's name, soaring to new heights
English
German
Spanish
Classic
Elegant
Strong
Vintage
Meaning & Origin
"rival, eager"
Origin: Latin
Language: English
"rival, striving"
Origin: Latin (via Emilia blend)
Language: English
The Story of Amelia
Amelia blends two Germanic names: Amalia (from 'amal,' the name of a noble Gothic dynasty, connoting work and effort) and Emilia (from 'aemulus,' meaning rival). The resulting name Amelia gained royal cachet in 18th-century England through King George III's daughter Princess Amelia, and through waves of German royalty named Amalia who married into European courts.
Amelia became #1 in England and Australia in the 2010s and climbed to the US top 10 as well. Its vintage elegance fits the trend back toward classic, multi-syllable feminine names. Amelia Earhart lent the name an adventurous, pioneering spirit that still resonates.
Amelia Earhart made this name synonymous with courage and ambition — she was the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic. In Germany and Austria, Queen Amalia of Greece and other royal namesakes gave it aristocratic associations that persist today.
Fun Facts
- Amelia has been the #1 girl's name in England and Wales multiple years since 2011
- Amelia Earhart became the first woman to fly solo nonstop across the Atlantic in 1932
- The name blends two separate Germanic names: Amalia and Emilia
Amelia in Other Languages
French
Amelie
German
Amalia
Italian
Amelia
Spanish
Amelia
Portuguese
Amelia
Famous People Named Amelia
A
Amelia Watson
Entertainer
1997
English VTuber and member of Hololive EN
A
Amelia Vega
Entertainer
1984
Dominican model and beauty queen, Miss Universe 2003
A
Amelia Earhart
Explorer
1897
American aviation pioneer and first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic
A
Amelia Bloomer
Other
1818
American women's rights activist and newspaper editor credited with popularizing bloomers
A
Amelia Pond Fictional
Other
Beloved companion of the Doctor in BBC's Doctor Who, played by Karen Gillan
A
Amelia Bedelia Fictional
Other
Literal-minded housekeeper in the beloved children's book series by Peggy Parish
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 4
- Popularity Rank
- #3
- Total SSA Count
- 12,740
- Cultural Origins
- English German Spanish
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Formal
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Amy
Millie
Mel
Lia
Pairs Well With
Amelia Rose
Amelia Grace
Amelia Jane
Amelia Kate
Amelia Anne
Amelia Louise
Amelia Claire
Sibling Names
Also a Boy Name
Amelia is also used as a boy name, ranked #9977.
View Amelia as a boy name →Similar Names
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
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Frequently Asked Questions About Amelia
What does the name Amelia mean?
"work, industriousness" (from Germanic). "rival, eager" (from Latin). "rival, striving" (from Latin (via Emilia blend)). Amelia blends two Germanic names: Amalia (from 'amal,' the name of a noble Gothic dynasty, connoting work and effort) and Emilia (from 'aemulus,' meaning rival). The resulting name Amelia gained royal cachet in 18th-century England through King George III's daughter Princess Amelia, and through waves of German royalty named Amalia who married into European courts.
What is the origin of the name Amelia?
Amelia has Germanic, Latin, Latin (via Emilia blend), English, German, and Spanish origins. In Germanic, it means "work, industriousness". In Latin, it means "rival, eager". In Latin (via Emilia blend), it means "rival, striving".
Is Amelia a boy or girl name?
Amelia is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #3. As a boy name, it is ranked #9977. Amelia is more commonly used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Amelia?
Amelia is pronounced uhm-EELY-uh.
How popular is the name Amelia?
Amelia is currently ranked #3 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Amelia?
Common nicknames for Amelia include Amy, Millie, Mel, and Lia.
What are good middle names for Amelia?
Popular middle name pairings include Amelia Rose, Amelia Grace, Amelia Jane, Amelia Kate, Amelia Anne, Amelia Louise, and Amelia Claire.
What are good sibling names for Amelia?
Names that pair well with Amelia as siblings include Oliver, Henry, Theodore, Charlotte, Sophia, William, and Eleanor.
How many syllables does Amelia have?
Amelia has 4 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.
Is Amelia a common or rare name?
Amelia is a very popular name, ranked #3 among girl names in the United States.
About the Name Amelia
Amelia is a girl name with English, German, and Spanish origins . The name means "work, industriousness" in Germanic .
Is Amelia a boy or girl name? Amelia is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #3 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #9,977. Amelia is more commonly used as a girl name.
Amelia is currently ranked #3 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Amelia has 4 syllables and is pronounced uhm-EELY-uh, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Amelia include Amy, Millie, Mel, and Lia. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Amelia include Amelie, Ameliana, Ameliah, Ameli, Amellia . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.