Ophelia is a feminine given name of Latin origin, derived from the Greek word "ophthalmos," which means "eye." The name Ophelia was first used in Shakespeare's tragedy "Hamlet," where it belonged to Hamlet's beloved sister who ultimately meets her demise by drowning while trying to escape from King Claudius. Despite its tragic literary origins, Ophelia has become a popular name in many English-speaking countries due to its unique sound and elegant appearance.
"The name Ophelia has seen significant fluctuations in popularity over time. From the late 19th century to the mid-20th century, there were periods of consistent increase and decrease in its usage as a baby name. However, from the late 20th century onwards, it experienced a notable resurgence, with births peaking at 1164 in 2022 and 1166 in 2023."