All about the name

Amelia

Female

« Amelia is a feminine given name of Latin origin, meaning "work" or "to strive for," popularized by Amelia Earhart's achievements and used in ancient Rome as a cognomen for the dedicated. »

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Meaning, origin, history

Amelia is a feminine given name of Latin origin, meaning "work" or "to strive for." It was used in ancient Rome as a cognomen, often given to someone who was hardworking and dedicated. The name Amelia gained popularity during the Middle Ages when it was used as a variant of Amalia, which was derived from the Germanic word "amal," meaning "noble" or "zealous." During this time, many variations of the name were created, including Amelina, Ameline, and Amalinde. In the 18th century, Amelia became popular in England due to its use by Scottish poet Allan Ramsay in his pastoral poem "The Gentle Shepherd." He used the name Amelia for one of his characters, which helped to popularize it among English speakers. Throughout history, there have been many notable individuals with the name Amelia. One of the most famous is Amelia Earhart, an American aviator who disappeared over the Pacific Ocean during her attempt to fly around the world in 1937. Her daring spirit and achievements as a woman in aviation helped to further popularize the name. Today, Amelia continues to be a popular choice for parents looking for a strong, distinctive feminine name with a rich history behind it. Its meaning of "to strive for" is still relevant today, inspiring young girls to pursue their goals and work hard towards achieving them.

In numbers

Popularity of the name Amelia since 1880

Total births
255,502
Total since 1880
Peak year
2021
13,024 births
in 2023
12,311
Recent births (5 years)
5-year trend
+54%
vs previous 5 years