"help, aid"
Origin: Greek opheleia
Language: English
Ophelia
Pronunciation: [ uhf-EELY-uh ]
Girl Name
#261 Most Popular
Rising
4 Syllables
Shakespeare's most painted muse — now rising again
Greek
English
Italian
Scandinavian
Literary
Elegant
Vintage
Whimsical
Sophisticated
Meaning & Origin
"advantage, profit"
Origin: Ancient Greek
Language: Greek
Things to Know About This Name
- Strongly associated with the tragic drowning of Ophelia in Hamlet — some parents find this too morbid
The Story of Ophelia
Ophelia comes from the Greek 'opheleia,' meaning help or aid. The name first appeared in Jacopo Sannazaro's Renaissance pastoral poem Arcadia (1504) before Shakespeare immortalized it in Hamlet (c. 1600). Shakespeare's Ophelia — a young noblewoman who goes mad with grief and drowns — made the name both beautiful and tragic, and it became a favorite of the Romantic era.
Ophelia has been steadily climbing in the US since around 2015, reaching the top 200 by the early 2020s. Parents are reclaiming it from its tragic associations, drawn to its Shakespearean prestige and the current vogue for names ending in -ia. The Lumineers' hit song 'Ophelia' (2016) gave it a fresh, romantic feeling.
Ophelia is one of Shakespeare's most iconic characters and one of the most painted figures in Western art — John Everett Millais's 1851 pre-Raphaelite painting of her floating among flowers is among the most recognizable images in art history. The name carries literary weight that few others match.
Fun Facts
- Millais's 1851 painting of Ophelia is one of the most viewed works in the Tate Britain
- The Lumineers' song 'Ophelia' spent 40 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 in 2016
- Shakespeare may have created Ophelia as a subtle critique of how women were treated in Elizabethan society — silenced, then mourned
Ophelia in Other Languages
Greek
Ωφελία
French
Ophélie
German
Ophelia
Italian
Ofelia
Spanish
Ofelia
Famous People Named Ophelia
O
O
Ophelia Ford
Politician
1954
American politician who served in the Tennessee State Senate
O
Ophelia Fictional
Other
Tragic noblewoman in Shakespeare's Hamlet who dies by drowning after going mad with grief
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 4
- Popularity Rank
- #261
- Total SSA Count
- 1,215
- Cultural Origins
- Greek English Italian Scandinavian
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Formal
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Common Nicknames
Ophie
Lia
Effie
Pairs Well With
Ophelia Rose
Ophelia Jane
Ophelia Claire
Ophelia Mae
Ophelia Grace
Ophelia Violet
Ophelia Pearl
Sibling Names
Also a Boy Name
Ophelia is also used as a boy name, ranked #33874.
View Ophelia as a boy name →Similar Names
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
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Frequently Asked Questions About Ophelia
What does the name Ophelia mean?
"help, aid" (from Greek opheleia). "advantage, profit" (from Ancient Greek). Ophelia comes from the Greek 'opheleia,' meaning help or aid. The name first appeared in Jacopo Sannazaro's Renaissance pastoral poem Arcadia (1504) before Shakespeare immortalized it in Hamlet (c. 1600). Shakespeare's Ophelia — a young noblewoman who goes mad with grief and drowns — made the name both beautiful and tragic, and it became a favorite of the Romantic era.
What is the origin of the name Ophelia?
Ophelia has Greek opheleia, Ancient Greek, Greek, English, Italian, and Scandinavian origins. In Greek opheleia, it means "help, aid". In Ancient Greek, it means "advantage, profit".
Is Ophelia a boy or girl name?
Ophelia is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #261. As a boy name, it is ranked #33874. Ophelia is more commonly used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Ophelia?
Ophelia is pronounced uhf-EELY-uh.
How popular is the name Ophelia?
Ophelia is currently ranked #261 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Ophelia?
Common nicknames for Ophelia include Ophie, Lia, and Effie.
What are good middle names for Ophelia?
Popular middle name pairings include Ophelia Rose, Ophelia Jane, Ophelia Claire, Ophelia Mae, Ophelia Grace, Ophelia Violet, and Ophelia Pearl.
What are good sibling names for Ophelia?
Names that pair well with Ophelia as siblings include Hamlet, Sebastian, Cordelia, Portia, Lysander, Beatrice, and Benedict.
How many syllables does Ophelia have?
Ophelia has 4 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.
Is Ophelia a common or rare name?
Ophelia is a popular name, ranked #261 for girls. It is well-known without being overused.
About the Name Ophelia
Ophelia is a girl name with Greek, English, Italian, and Scandinavian origins . The name means "help, aid" in Greek opheleia .
Is Ophelia a boy or girl name? Ophelia is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #261 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #33,874. Ophelia is more commonly used as a girl name.
Ophelia is currently ranked #261 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Ophelia has 4 syllables and is pronounced uhf-EELY-uh, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Ophelia include Ophie, Lia, and Effie. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.