Name of the Week

 

As the tragic heroine of Shakespeare, this name has a 
destinct literary feel to it. 

  

Origin:

From the Greek οφελος (ophelos) meaning "help."

Usage:

The name appears to have been first used in the form Ofelia by Jacopo Sannazaro in his poem Arcadia (1502). Shakespeare used Ophelia for his play Hamlet (1600) and much of its usage can be attributed to this.  We can find the name used occasionally in the 17th but its usage particularly picked up in the Victorian age. Both John Everett Millais' Ophelia (1852) and a character in the popular novel Uncle Tom's Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe (1852) seem to have had an impact on its popularity around this time. Ophelia continued to be a popular subject for Pre-Raphaelite artists throughout the 19th century.  In 2010 71 girls (rank #559) were registered with the name in England and Wales. 4 girls were given the name in Scotland in 2011.

Famous Bearers:

* Ophelia Alcantara Dimalanta (1932– 2010) was a Philippine poet and author. * Ophelia Lovibond (b.1986) is a British actress.  * Ophelia Dahl is a social justice and healthcare equity promoter, daughter of author Roald Dahl and actress Patricia Neal.  * Ophelia Marie is a popular Dominican singer of Cadence-lypso.  * Ophelia S. Lewis (b.1961) is a Liberian author and humaniarian.

Variants:

Ofelia (Italian, Spanish) Ophélie (French)

Pronunciation:

oh-FEE-lee-ə (UK) [key]

Diminutives:

Feeli, Fifi, Lela, Lia, Lio, Lily, Lola, Ola, Polly, Poppy

Sibling Names:

Cressida     Perdita    Rosalind     Clementine     Penelope     Camilla  Rupert     Hugo     Maxim      Xavier      Angus      Lysander

Name Lists:

Upright Elegance   Shakespearean Names  Astronomical Names   Names of Roses

 

If you like Ophelia you may also like:   Alethea, Viola, Elora, Helena, Sabina, Oriana, Sylvia, Aurea, Evadne, Thalia