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.
The name Amelia experienced a significant rise in popularity over the past century, with a noticeable peak starting around the year 2000. From 1880 to around 1970, the number of yearly births named Amelia fluctuated between approximately 300 to 600. However, from the early 1980s onwards, there was a steady increase in the popularity of the name, reaching over 1,000 births per year by the late 1980s.
This trend continued into the new millennium, with Amelia becoming one of the most popular names for girls. In recent years (2005-2023), the number of yearly births named Amelia has consistently been above 12,000, peaking at over 13,000 in certain years. Overall, since 1880 to present day, there have been a total of 255,502 births registered with the name Amelia.