Charlotte Girl
SHAHR-luht
“free man” · French
#2
Amelia
GirlGermanic, Latin· “work”
- Meaning
- work
- Origin
- Germanic, Latin
- Pronunciation
- uh-MEEL-yuh
- Syllables
- 3
- US rank 2025
- #4
- US babies 2025
- 12,699
- Best rank
- #3 (2024)
- Peak year
- 2021
Meaning and origin of Amelia
Amelia is a Germanic and Latin name that is usually said to mean “work”.
Amelia developed from Germanic names beginning with amal, "work" or "labor", such as Amalberga, and it later blended with Emilia, the Latin name that gave us Emily. The Hanoverian royal family brought it to Britain in the eighteenth century, when several princesses bore it. Henry Fielding's novel Amelia, published in 1751, gave it a literary heroine. Aviator Amelia Earhart, the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic, made it a byword for courage in the twentieth century. Modern parents have made it a top choice across the English-speaking world. It feels vintage and lively, with Millie and Amy as nicknames.
Popularity over time
Amelia has been given to babies in the United States since at least 1880, the first year of Social Security records. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 146 different years. Its best national rank was #3 in 2024, and the most babies received it in 2021, when 13,041 were named Amelia. In 2025, 12,699 babies were named Amelia, and it ranked #4 nationally. That is 29% more than ten years earlier, so it is clearly on the rise.
Its national rank moved from #190 in 1920, #357 in 1950, #316 in 1980, #207 in 2000, #41 in 2010, and #4 in 2025. Of the 281,130 US girls named Amelia since records began, 33% were born in the 2010s, its biggest decade. The 2020s come next, with 76,108 babies.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Luna, Camila, Gianna, Nova, and Willow.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Amelia ranked highest in North Carolina, Georgia, and Kentucky.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina | #1 | 459 |
| Georgia | #1 | 450 |
| Kentucky | #1 | 212 |
| Louisiana | #1 | 212 |
| Mississippi | #1 | 105 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Amelia is usually pronounced uh-MEEL-yuh, with three syllables. It has six letters, starts with A and ends in “-ia”.
Middle names for Amelia
A few middle names that flow with Amelia: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Amelia
Similar names
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Emilia Girl
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kuh-MIH-luh
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Lavinia Girl
luh-VIN-ee-uh
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Emma Girl
EH-muh
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Lists that include Amelia
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Amelia mean?
Amelia is a Germanic and Latin name that is usually said to mean “work”.
What is the origin of the name Amelia?
Amelia has Germanic and Latin roots. Amelia developed from Germanic names beginning with amal, "work" or "labor", such as Amalberga, and it later blended with Emilia, the Latin name that gave us Emily.
Is Amelia a popular name?
Yes. Amelia ranked #4 in the US in 2025, which makes it one of the 100 most popular names.
Is Amelia a boy or girl name?
Amelia is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Amelia?
Amelia is usually pronounced uh-MEEL-yuh. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings