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.
Based on the statistical data provided regarding the name Amelia in the United States from 1880 to 2023, we can observe several trends over time.
Initially, the number of births with the name Amelia fluctuated between approximately 200 and 400 each year until around 1950. However, starting in the late 1960s and early 1970s, there was a noticeable decrease in the popularity of the name Amelia, with fewer than 400 births per year being recorded.
Interestingly, after reaching a low point in the mid-1980s, the popularity of the name Amelia began to rise steadily. This increase can be seen as a significant trend, with the number of yearly births with the name Amelia exceeding 1000 by the early 1990s and continuing to grow thereafter.
In recent years, from around 2005 onwards, the popularity of the name Amelia has reached unprecedented heights. Between 2005 and 2023, the number of yearly births with the name Amelia has consistently surpassed 4000, peaking at over 13,000 births in 2022.
Overall, it is evident that while the popularity of the name Amelia experienced several fluctuations throughout the late 19th to mid-20th centuries, it has seen a significant resurgence in recent decades. As of 2023, Amelia remains one of the most popular names for newborn girls in the United States, with a total of over 255,000 births recorded since 1880.