Amalia is a feminine given name of Italian origin, derived from the Germanic element "amal" meaning "work" or "strive," and the suffix "-ia," which denotes belonging to or having the quality of something. Thus, Amalia can be interpreted as "she who strives for peace" or "she whose work is peace."
The name Amalia has been used in various forms throughout history. In Spanish literature, it gained prominence through the character Amalia de Güemes in "Amalia," a novel by José Mármol published in 1851. This fictional character was inspired by the real-life heroine Manuela Sáenz, who played a significant role in South American independence movements.
In musical history, the name Amalia is associated with Maria Malibran (1808-1836), an Italian opera singer whose popularity earned her the nickname "Amalia" among her admirers. Additionally, the Austrian composer Franz Schubert dedicated his famous song cycle "Winterreise" to a woman named Amalie, though it is debated whether she existed or was merely a fictional muse.
Today, Amalia continues to be used as a given name for girls, particularly in countries with Italian influences or where Spanish and German cultural heritage is prevalent. Its usage has fluctuated over time but remains popular, with peaks in popularity occurring during the mid-20th century in some regions.
In conclusion, the name Amalia carries an interesting history rooted in various cultures and artistic realms. Derived from Germanic elements meaning "work" or "strive," it has been associated with notable figures such as fictional characters and musical muses throughout history.
The given statistics show the annual number of births with the name Amalia in the United States from 1880 to 2023.
From 1880 to around 1965, there were fewer than 100 births per year for the name Amalia. However, starting from the late 1960s, we begin to see an increase in the number of babies named Amalia each year.
The highest point reached during this period was in 2023 with 572 births, marking a significant growth compared to previous decades.
Overall, since 1880 until present day, there have been a total of 15,389 babies born in the United States named Amalia. This shows that while once relatively uncommon, over time the name has gained popularity and is now quite common among newborns in the U.S.