Ofelia is a unique and captivating female name of Spanish origin. Derived from the Latin word "officium," it translates to mean "office" or "duty." However, in Spain, Ofelia has become more commonly associated with the literary character created by author Miguel de Unamuno in his novel "Abel Sánchez: A Tale of Two Brothers."
In this work, Ofelia is portrayed as a young woman who embodies goodness and nobility. She is deeply devoted to her faith and possesses an unwavering sense of justice. These qualities have contributed to the popularity of the name Ofelia in Spain, where parents often choose it for their daughters as a symbol of virtue and piety.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Ofelia. One such example is Ofelia Gómez Urrutia, who served as Mexico's Minister of Social Development from 2006 to 2012. Her career in politics demonstrates how bearers of this name can exhibit strength, intelligence, and dedication to serving their communities.
In popular culture, Ofelia has also made appearances in various films and television shows. Perhaps the most famous instance is in Guillermo del Toro's acclaimed movie "Pan's Labyrinth" (2006), where young Ivana Baquero portrayed the protagonist, a young girl named Ofelia who embarks on a magical journey while living with her pregnant mother during the Spanish Civil War.
Overall, the name Ofelia carries a rich history and significance, embodying qualities such as faith, nobility, and dedication. It remains a unique and distinctive choice for parents seeking to bestow their daughters with a meaningful moniker rooted in tradition yet suitable for modern times.
The name Ofelia has seen a varied history of popularity over the past century in the United States. In the early 1900s, it was quite uncommon, with only eight births recorded in 1900 and a steady increase to ten births by 1904. However, it seems that the name's popularity started to decline after its peak in 1918 when there were forty-one births.
The 1920s marked a significant turnaround for the name Ofelia. After a slow start with only eighty-two births in 1922, the number of newborn girls named Ofelia tripled within just three years, reaching an impressive peak of 154 births in 1929.
However, this high popularity did not last long. The Great Depression and World War II seemed to have taken a toll on the name's appeal, with a significant drop in its usage during the 1930s and 1940s. In fact, there were only seventy-nine births recorded in 1943, marking one of the lowest points for Ofelia's popularity.
After World War II, the name Ofelia began to regain some traction. Starting from ninety-eight births in 1946, it climbed steadily until reaching a new peak of 135 births in 1952. However, this period of growth was short-lived as well. From there on, the popularity of the name declined once again, with only fifty-eight births recorded in 1967.
The latter half of the twentieth century saw Ofelia's popularity fluctuating between fifty and ninety births annually, never reaching the heights seen earlier in the century. The most recent data from 2023 shows sixty-eight births for the name Ofelia, indicating that while it may not be as popular as it once was, it remains a recognized choice among parents.
In total, over the past century, there have been 8799 babies named Ofelia born in the United States. This figure reflects the name's varied popularity over time, with periods of significant growth followed by declines in usage. Despite these fluctuations, Ofelia has consistently remained a unique and distinctive choice for parents naming their daughters.