"eighth"
Origin: Latin
Language: English
Octavia
Pronunciation: [ ahkt-AYV-ee-uh ]
Girl Name
#294 Most Popular
Rising
4 Syllables
Ancient Roman nobility with modern literary cool
Roman
English
American
Italian
Royal
Literary
Sophisticated
Bold
Meaning & Origin
"born eighth, eighth child"
Origin: Roman
Language: Latin
The Story of Octavia
Octavia comes from the Latin word 'octavus' meaning 'eighth.' In ancient Rome, it was traditionally given to the eighth child in a family — a practice that gave us names like Septimus (seventh), Quintus (fifth), and Octavia. The most famous ancient Octavia was Octavia Minor, sister of Roman Emperor Augustus and wife of Mark Antony, celebrated for her beauty, intelligence, and dignified conduct during political turmoil.
Octavia has surged in popularity in the 2010s-2020s, fueled by the popularity of literary and classical names and boosted significantly by actress Octavia Spencer's Oscar win in 2012 for The Help. The sci-fi series The 100 also featured a beloved character named Octavia Blake.
Octavia Minor was considered the ideal Roman woman — so noble in character that even after Mark Antony abandoned her for Cleopatra, she raised their children along with her own. The name carries centuries of Roman imperial prestige.
Fun Facts
- Octavia Minor was so respected that Cleopatra reportedly feared Octavia more than any political enemy
- Octavia Spencer became the first Black actress to win two acting Oscars when she won for The Shape of Water (2017) after Hidden Figures
- The 100 character Octavia Blake became one of sci-fi TV's most beloved warrior women
Octavia in Other Languages
Latin
Octavia
Arabic
أوكتافيا
French
Octavie
Italian
Ottavia
Spanish
Octavia
Japanese
オクタヴィア
Famous People Named Octavia
O
Octavia Spencer
Actor
1970
American actress and two-time Academy Award winner for The Help and The Shape of Water
O
Octavia Butler
Writer
1947
Pioneering Black science fiction author known for Kindred and the Parable series
O
Octavia Blake Fictional
Other
Fierce warrior protagonist of the CW sci-fi series The 100, played by Marie Avgeropoulos
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 4
- Popularity Rank
- #294
- Total SSA Count
- 1,066
- Cultural Origins
- Roman English American Italian
- Pronunciation
- Moderate
- Formality
- Formal
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Common Nicknames
Tavi
Tavia
Tave
Via
Pairs Well With
Octavia Rose
Octavia Jane
Octavia Claire
Octavia Blake
Octavia June
Octavia Wren
Octavia Skye
Sibling Names
Also a Boy Name
Octavia is also used as a boy name, ranked #19259.
View Octavia as a boy name →Similar Names
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
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Frequently Asked Questions About Octavia
What does the name Octavia mean?
"eighth" (from Latin). "born eighth, eighth child" (from Roman). Octavia comes from the Latin word 'octavus' meaning 'eighth.' In ancient Rome, it was traditionally given to the eighth child in a family — a practice that gave us names like Septimus (seventh), Quintus (fifth), and Octavia. The most famous ancient Octavia was Octavia Minor, sister of Roman Emperor Augustus and wife of Mark Antony, celebrated for her beauty, intelligence, and dignified conduct during political turmoil.
What is the origin of the name Octavia?
Octavia has Latin, Roman, English, American, and Italian origins. In Latin, it means "eighth". In Roman, it means "born eighth, eighth child".
Is Octavia a boy or girl name?
Octavia is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #294. As a boy name, it is ranked #19259. Octavia is more commonly used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Octavia?
Octavia is pronounced ahkt-AYV-ee-uh.
How popular is the name Octavia?
Octavia is currently ranked #294 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Octavia?
Common nicknames for Octavia include Tavi, Tavia, Tave, and Via.
What are good middle names for Octavia?
Popular middle name pairings include Octavia Rose, Octavia Jane, Octavia Claire, Octavia Blake, Octavia June, Octavia Wren, and Octavia Skye.
What are good sibling names for Octavia?
Names that pair well with Octavia as siblings include Cecilia, Cordelia, Sebastian, Atticus, Lyra, Cassius, and Vivienne.
How many syllables does Octavia have?
Octavia has 4 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.
Is Octavia a common or rare name?
Octavia is a popular name, ranked #294 for girls. It is well-known without being overused.
About the Name Octavia
Octavia is a girl name with Roman, English, American, and Italian origins . The name means "eighth" in Latin .
Is Octavia a boy or girl name? Octavia is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #294 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #19,259. Octavia is more commonly used as a girl name.
Octavia is currently ranked #294 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Octavia has 4 syllables and is pronounced ahkt-AYV-ee-uh, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Octavia include Tavi, Tavia, Tave, and Via. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.