Charlotte Girl
SHAHR-luht
“free man” · French
#2
Octavia
GirlLatin· “eighth”
- Meaning
- eighth
- Origin
- Latin
- Pronunciation
- ahk-TAY-vee-uh
- Syllables
- 4
- US rank 2025
- #308
- US babies 2025
- 982
- Best rank
- #247 (2022)
- Peak year
- 2021
Meaning and origin of Octavia
Octavia is a Latin name that means “eighth”.
Octavia is the feminine form of Octavius, a Roman family name derived from the Latin octavus, "eighth". Octavia the Younger was the sister of Augustus, the first Roman emperor, and wife of Mark Antony, and she appears as a character in Shakespeare's Antony and Cleopatra. Another Octavia was the first wife of the emperor Nero. The name was later used by English families who liked classical names. Octavia sounds dignified, strong and elegant, with a long, stately rhythm. Tavi and Via are playful short forms.
Popularity over time
Octavia 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 91 different years. Its best national rank was #247 in 2022, and the most babies received it in 2021, when 1,238 were named Octavia. In 2025, 982 babies were named Octavia, and it ranked #308 nationally. That is 461% more than ten years earlier, so it is clearly on the rise.
Its national rank moved from #682 in 1920, #1,298 in 1950, #833 in 1980, #1,064 in 2000, #2,162 in 2010, and #308 in 2025. Of the 23,978 US girls named Octavia since records began, 27% were born in the 2020s, its biggest decade. The 1980s come next, with 3,053 babies.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Harlow, Milani, Alayah, Kailani, and Kamila.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Octavia ranked highest in West Virginia, Wyoming, and Vermont.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| West Virginia | #41 | 26 |
| Wyoming | #76 | 6 |
| Vermont | #99 | 5 |
| South Dakota | #130 | 9 |
| Iowa | #135 | 24 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Octavia is usually pronounced ahk-TAY-vee-uh, with four syllables. It has seven letters, starts with O and ends in “-ia”.
Middle names for Octavia
A few middle names that flow with Octavia: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Octavia
Similar names
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Lists that include Octavia
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Octavia mean?
Octavia is a Latin name that means “eighth”.
What is the origin of the name Octavia?
Octavia has Latin roots. Octavia is the feminine form of Octavius, a Roman family name derived from the Latin octavus, "eighth".
Is Octavia a popular name?
Yes. Octavia ranked #308 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Octavia a boy or girl name?
Octavia is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Octavia?
Octavia is usually pronounced ahk-TAY-vee-uh. 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