Eudelia is a unique and beautiful name of Greek origin. It comes from the Greek word "eudokia", which means "goodwill" or "benevolence". The name Eudelia was quite popular during the Middle Ages, particularly among noble families in Greece and Italy.
The earliest known record of the name Eudelia dates back to the 12th century. It was borne by several saints and martyrs in the early Christian Church, which contributed to its popularity. One notable figure was Saint Eudelia, a Roman matron who was beheaded for her faith during the reign of Emperor Diocletian.
Despite its historical significance, Eudelia is not a very common name today. However, it remains a unique and regal choice for parents looking for an uncommon yet meaningful name for their daughter. The name Eudelia has a lovely sound to it and carries a positive connotation thanks to its meaning of "goodwill".
In terms of its spelling and pronunciation, the name Eudelia is typically written as "Eudelia" and is pronounced /uːdeɪliə/. It consists of two elements: "eu-" which means "good" in Greek, and "-lia", a feminine suffix also of Greek origin. This gives the name a distinctly Greek flavor while also conveying its positive meaning.
Overall, Eudelia is an uncommon yet meaningful name with a rich history that dates back to ancient times. Its Greek origins give it a unique and exotic sound, while its meaning of "goodwill" makes it a positive and uplifting choice for a daughter's name.
The name Eudelia has been given to a total of 382 babies born in the United States between 1915 and 1996. The peak years for this name were 1946, with 13 births, and 1934, also with 16 births. Interestingly, there was only one year when more than 20 babies named Eudelia were born in the US: 1946.
The popularity of the name Eudelia varied throughout the decades. In the early years recorded (1915-1938), the number of births ranged from a low of 5 to a high of 16, with an average of about 9 births per year during this period. However, starting from the 1940s onwards, there was a noticeable decline in popularity, as shown by the decreasing numbers of babies named Eudelia each year until it reached its lowest point at just 5 births per year in the late 1970s.
Despite this decrease in popularity, there were still some years in which more than ten babies were given the name Eudelia: 1940 (11), 1941 (13), and 1948 (11). Additionally, it's worth noting that although not a lot of babies are named Eudelia anymore, there is still an occasional birth registered with this name even today.
Overall, the statistics demonstrate that while once quite popular, especially during the late 1920s to early 1940s, the name Eudelia has since become increasingly rare in the United States.