Amelia is of Latin origin, meaning "to strive for excellence" or "rival". It is derived from the Late Latin word "Aemilius", which was a Roman family name thought to have been derived from the Latin word "aemulus", meaning "rival". The name Amelia has been used in various forms throughout history. In the Middle Ages, it was a popular name among the nobility in England and France. Amelia was also the name of several saints, including Saint Amelia of Benevento, who was martyred in the 4th century. Today, Amelia is often associated with famous figures such as Amelia Earhart, the renowned aviator known for her solo flight across the Atlantic Ocean in 1932. The name Amelia has gained popularity in recent years and is currently ranked among the top 100 most popular names for girls in several English-speaking countries.
The name Amilia experienced a significant rise in popularity over the past century, with a notable spike starting around the year 2000. In the early years (1905-1986), there were consistently low numbers of births annually, ranging from 5 to 9. However, beginning in 1987, we see a steady increase, reaching double digits most years. The peak was reached in 2023 with an impressive 199 births, indicating that Amilia is currently one of the more popular names for newborn girls. Overall, since 1905, there have been a total of 2720 births registered as Amilia.