Amelia is primarily a female name of Germanic origin. It means “work” or “industrious,” derived from the Germanic word amal, meaning “labor” or “effort.” The pronunciation is usually ah-MEE-lee-ah or ah-MEEL-yah.
Meaning of the Name Amelia
Amelia carries beautiful connotations of strength, determination, and industriousness. The name suggests someone who is hardworking and diligent, with a strong sense of purpose. Many parents choose this name hoping to instill these qualities in their daughters.
Historical Significance of Amelia
Amelia has a rich history across several cultures. It gained popularity in England after the Hanover royal family brought it from Germany in the 18th century. Perhaps the most famous historical Amelia was Amelia Earhart, the pioneering American aviator who became the first female pilot to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean.
The name experienced waves of popularity throughout history, with notable revivals in the Victorian era and again in the early 21st century, when vintage names came back into fashion.
Common Nicknames for Amelia
- Amy
- Mia
- Millie
- Mel
- Lia
- Emmy
- Meli
How Popular Is Amelia?
Amelia has been consistently popular in recent years. In the United States, it entered the top 100 names in 2004 and has been climbing steadily since. As of recent statistics, it ranks in the top 10 girls’ names in the US, UK, Australia, and Canada.
The name saw a dramatic rise in popularity around 2010 and continues to be a favorite among parents looking for a name that’s both classic and trendy.
Famous People Named Amelia
- Amelia Earhart – American aviation pioneer
- Amelia Warner – English actress and musician
- Amelia Vega – Dominican model and Miss Universe 2003
- Amelia Boynton Robinson – American civil rights activist
- Amelia Heinle – American actress known for “The Young and the Restless”
- Amelia Lily – British singer and former X Factor contestant
Fictional Characters Named Amelia
- Amelia Bedelia – Children’s book character known for taking instructions literally
- Amelia Pond – Companion in the TV series “Doctor Who”
- Amelia Bones – Character in the Harry Potter series
- Amelia Shepherd – Neurosurgeon in the TV series “Grey’s Anatomy” and “Private Practice”
- Amelia Mignonette Thermopolis Renaldi – Main character in “The Princess Diaries”
Amelia in Literature and Pop Culture
Amelia has made numerous appearances in literature and pop culture. From the beloved children’s book character Amelia Bedelia to Amelia Pond in the popular TV series “Doctor Who,” the name often represents characters who are adventurous and strong-willed.
In literature, Amelia is the title character of Henry Fielding’s novel from 1751, while William Makepeace Thackeray named his 1848 novel “Vanity Fair” with the subtitle “A Novel without a Hero,” but featuring the memorable Amelia Sedley.
The name continues to appear in contemporary media, often associated with characters who have determination and spirit.
Personality Traits Associated with Amelia
People named Amelia are often described as:
- Adventurous – Ready to explore and try new things
- Determined – Reflecting the name’s meaning of “industrious”
- Compassionate – Kind-hearted and empathetic
- Independent – Self-reliant and capable
- Creative – Imaginative and artistic
- Intelligent – Quick-witted and thoughtful
Of course, a name doesn’t determine personality, but these are common associations that many people make with the name Amelia.
Similar Names to Amelia
- Emilia
- Amalia
- Aurelia
- Amelie
- Emelia
- Adelaide
- Adeline
- Cecilia
- Ophelia
- Eleanor
Alternate Spellings for Amelia
- Emilia
- Amilia
- Ameila
- Amalia
- Amelya
- Emelia
Pronunciation Variations Around the World
- English: ah-MEE-lee-ah
- Italian: ah-MEL-yah
- Spanish: ah-MEH-lee-ah
- French: ah-may-LEE-ah
- German: ah-MAY-lee-ah
Parents Who Like Amelia Also Like
- Charlotte
- Olivia
- Eleanor
- Sophia
- Isabella
- Abigail
- Elizabeth
- Victoria
- Penelope
- Violet
Baby Name Lists That Include Amelia
- Classic Girls’ Names
- Victorian-Era Names
- Literary Character Names
- Popular British Names
- Royal-Sounding Names
- Vintage Names Making a Comeback
- Top 10 Girls’ Names
- Names with Historical Significance
Amelia for Both Genders
While Amelia is predominantly a female name, some variations can be used for different genders:
- Amell – A masculine form
- Amelio – A masculine Italian variation
- Emil – A masculine name with similar roots
Sibling Name Ideas
For a Sister:
- Charlotte
- Eleanor
- Sophia
- Olivia
- Violet
- Elizabeth
- Isabella
For a Brother:
- Oliver
- Theodore
- Henry
- William
- James
- Alexander
- Benjamin
Names with the Same Meaning as Amelia
- Emma (also means “universal” or “whole”)
- Bernadette (means “brave as a bear” or “strong”)
- Matilda (means “strength in battle”)
- Ashley (means “from the ash tree field,” symbolizing strength)
- Valencia (means “strong” or “brave”)
First Impressions of Amelia
Amelia typically creates a very positive first impression. People often describe the name as:
- Elegant without being pretentious
- Classic without feeling outdated
- Strong while remaining feminine
- Memorable and distinctive
- Warm and approachable
Celebrity Babies Named Amelia
- John Legend and Chrissy Teigen named their daughter Esti Maxine Stephens, but considered Amelia
- Tennis player Andy Murray named his daughter Sophia Olivia, with Amelia on their shortlist
- Actress Minnie Driver’s niece is named Amelia
- TV Presenter Holly Willoughby named her daughter Belle, but mentioned Amelia was a top contender
Songs About Amelia
- “Amelia” by Tonight Alive
- “Amelia” by Joni Mitchell (about Amelia Earhart)
- “Amelia’s Missing” by Ice Nine Kills
- “Oh Amelia” by Tonight Alive
- “Amelia” by Simon Joyner
Famous Quotes About Amelia
Most famous quotes about the name Amelia relate to Amelia Earhart:
“Please know I am quite aware of the hazards. I want to do it because I want to do it. Women must try to do things as men have tried.” – Amelia Earhart
“Adventure is worthwhile in itself.” – Amelia Earhart
“The most difficult thing is the decision to act, the rest is merely tenacity.” – Amelia Earhart
Amelia in Different Languages
- French: Amélie
- Italian: Amalia or Emilia
- Spanish: Amelia or Emilia
- German: Amalia
- Russian: Амелия (Ameliya)
- Japanese: アメリア (Ameria)
- Greek: Αμέλια (Amelia)
Name Combinations for Amelia
First and Middle Name Combinations:
- Amelia Rose
- Amelia Grace
- Amelia Jane
- Amelia Claire
- Amelia Sophia
- Amelia Catherine
- Amelia Elizabeth
As a Middle Name:
- Charlotte Amelia
- Sophia Amelia
- Olivia Amelia
- Isabella Amelia
- Violet Amelia
Comments from Parents of Children Named Amelia
“We named our daughter Amelia five years ago, and it fits her perfectly. She’s determined and adventurous, just like her namesake Amelia Earhart. Plus, the nicknames are adorable – we call her Millie most days.” – Sarah P.
“Amelia was my grandmother’s name, so it has special meaning for our family. Our Amelia is 8 now and loves that her name is both traditional and popular with her friends.” – Michael T.
“We were worried Amelia might be too popular, but we loved it too much to pass up. Now that she’s 3, we know we made the right choice. It’s classic but still feels fresh.” – Jessica M.
“Our Amelia goes by Mia at school and Amy at home. The versatility of nicknames is one of the things we love most about her name!” – David L.