Amelia
Amelia Earhart, legendary American aviator
Pronunciation/əˈmiːliə/ ə-MEE-lee-ə
GenderFemale
Language(s)English, German, Latin
Origin
MeaningGerman word amal meaning work and Latin aemulus, meaning rival
Other names
Nickname(s)Amy, Melly, Lili , Malia, Mila, Mel, Lia, Mia, Millie, Mimi, Emma, Minnie, Ellie
See alsoAmalia, Amelie, Amélie, Amy, Lia, Emma

Amelia is a feminine given name. Its English form was likely influenced by the names Amalia, derived from the German word amal meaning work, and Emilia, which is derived from the name of the Roman Aemilia gens. The name of the gens is likely derived from the Latin word aemulus, meaning rival. The name Amelia has been associated with both names as well as with the name Emily, also derived from Emilia.[1]

Popularity

The name has been enormously popular in the Anglosphere and throughout Europe in recent years, as well as in other countries.[2] Its increase in popularity has been attributed to an elegant image and associations with American aviator Amelia Earhart, as well as a similarity in sound to previously popular names such as Amanda, Amy, and Emily and to having the fashionable ia ending of other popular names Sophia and Olivia. All make the name seem "different but not too different."[3]

In 2022, in the United States, the name Amelia was given to 12,333 girls, making it the fourth most popular name.[4]

Notable people

Fictional characters

See also

References

  1. ^ Hanks, Patrick; Hardcastle, Kate; Hodges, Flavia (2006). Oxford Dictionary of First Names. Oxford University Press. p. 13,90. ISBN 0-19-861060-2.
  2. ^ Campbell, Mike. "Popularity in England and Wales". behindthename.com. Behind the Name. Retrieved 26 November 2023.
  3. ^ Evans, Cleveland Kent (18 June 2023). "Cleveland Evans: Amelia sounds elegant and evokes a strong image". omaha.com. Omaha World Herald. Retrieved 10 December 2023.
  4. ^ "Popular Baby Girl Names in 2022". Baby Names. Retrieved 2024-04-11.
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