Ofelia

Pronunciation: [ ohf-AYL-ee-uh ]

Girl Name #1,900 Most Popular Hidden Gem 4 Syllables

A haunting literary beauty with new fairy-tale magic

Spanish Italian Scandinavian Portuguese

Literary Elegant Whimsical Vintage Royal

Meaning & Origin

"help, aid"

Origin: Greek

Language: Greek

"helper, one who assists"

Origin: Greek ophelos

Language: Greek

Things to Know About This Name

Associated with the tragic drowning death of Ophelia in Shakespeare's Hamlet

The Story of Ofelia

Ofelia is the Spanish and Italian form of Ophelia, a name created by the Italian Renaissance poet Jacopo Sannazaro in his 1504 work Arcadia, derived from the Greek ophelos meaning help or aid. Shakespeare immortalized the name in Hamlet (c.1600), making Ophelia one of the most iconic tragic heroines in literature. The Ofelia spelling is used throughout the Spanish-speaking world.

Ofelia has remained a steady classic in Spanish-speaking countries. Globally, Ophelia/Ofelia has seen a renaissance as parents rediscover literary Victorian names. The film Pan's Labyrinth (2006) featuring a girl named Ofelia introduced the Spanish form to wider international audiences.

In Spanish and Latin American cultures, Ofelia is a timeless literary name. The character of Ofelia in Guillermo del Toro's Pan's Labyrinth (2006) — a girl who escapes wartime Spain through a magical fantasy world — gave the Spanish form iconic new resonance.

Fun Facts

The name Ophelia was invented by the Italian poet Jacopo Sannazaro in 1504
The Pre-Raphaelite painting Ophelia by John Everett Millais (1852) is one of the most famous paintings in the world
In Guillermo del Toro's Pan's Labyrinth (2006), Ofelia is the young girl who enters a magical underworld

Ofelia in Other Languages

French Ophélie

German Ophelia

English Ophelia

Italian Ofelia

Portuguese Ofélia

Famous People Named Ofelia

Ophelia Fictional

Other

Tragic heroine of Shakespeare's Hamlet who drowns after the death of her father Polonius; one of literature's most iconi...

Tragic heroine of Shakespeare's Hamlet who drowns after the death of her father Polonius; one of literature's most iconic characters

Ofelia (Pan's Labyrinth) Fictional

Other

Young protagonist of Guillermo del Toro's Pan's Labyrinth (2006), a girl who escapes Francoist Spain through a magical f...

Young protagonist of Guillermo del Toro's Pan's Labyrinth (2006), a girl who escapes Francoist Spain through a magical fantasy world

Quick Facts

Gender: Girl
Syllables: 4
Popularity Rank: #1,900
Total SSA Count: 105
Cultural Origins: Spanish Italian Scandinavian Portuguese
Pronunciation: Moderate
Formality: Formal
Cross-Cultural Ease: Moderate

Common Nicknames

Ofe Lia Feli

Pairs Well With

Ofelia Rosa Ofelia Luna Ofelia Elena Ofelia Isabel Ofelia Gracia Ofelia Valentina Ofelia Clara

Sibling Names

Hamlet Laertes Cordelia Viola Sebastian Juliet

Also a Boy Name

Ofelia is also used as a boy name, ranked #29188.

View Ofelia as a boy name →

Similar Names

Emily Cornelia Celia Cordelia Emilie Ophelia Aurelia Adelia

Playground Safety

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Frequently Asked Questions About Ofelia

What does the name Ofelia mean?

"help, aid" (from Greek). "helper, one who assists" (from Greek ophelos). Ofelia is the Spanish and Italian form of Ophelia, a name created by the Italian Renaissance poet Jacopo Sannazaro in his 1504 work Arcadia, derived from the Greek ophelos meaning help or aid. Shakespeare immortalized the name in Hamlet (c.1600), making Ophelia one of the most iconic tragic heroines in literature. The Ofelia spelling is used throughout the Spanish-speaking world.

What is the origin of the name Ofelia?

Ofelia has Greek, Greek ophelos, Spanish, Italian, Scandinavian, and Portuguese origins. In Greek, it means "help, aid". In Greek ophelos, it means "helper, one who assists".

Is Ofelia a boy or girl name?

Ofelia is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #1900. As a boy name, it is ranked #29188. Ofelia is more commonly used as a girl name.

How do you pronounce Ofelia?

Ofelia is pronounced ohf-AYL-ee-uh.

How popular is the name Ofelia?

Ofelia is currently ranked #1900 in popularity for girl names in the United States.

What are common nicknames for Ofelia?

Common nicknames for Ofelia include Ofe, Lia, and Feli.

What are good middle names for Ofelia?

Popular middle name pairings include Ofelia Rosa, Ofelia Luna, Ofelia Elena, Ofelia Isabel, Ofelia Gracia, Ofelia Valentina, and Ofelia Clara.

What are good sibling names for Ofelia?

Names that pair well with Ofelia as siblings include Hamlet, Laertes, Cordelia, Viola, Sebastian, and Juliet.

How many syllables does Ofelia have?

Ofelia has 4 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.

Is Ofelia a common or rare name?

Ofelia is an uncommon name, ranked #1900 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.

About the Name Ofelia

Ofelia is a girl name with Spanish, Italian, Scandinavian, and Portuguese origins . The name means "help, aid" in Greek .

Is Ofelia a boy or girl name? Ofelia is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #1,900 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #29,188. Ofelia is more commonly used as a girl name.

Ofelia is currently ranked #1,900 in popularity for girl names in the United States.

The name Ofelia has 4 syllables and is pronounced ohf-AYL-ee-uh, making it distinctive and memorable.

Common nicknames for Ofelia include Ofe, Lia, and Feli. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.