Naming a child is one of the most important and personal things a parent can do. It’s a decision that many family members and friends get so invested in – maybe even too much! But it just shows that names have special meaning and value to everyone.
It’s not a decision that parents make lightly, and at the same time, it should be an exciting and hopeful time. And there are many sources of inspiration to find a wonderful middle name for your baby!
Naming a child after a relative or family member is a tradition in many cultures. For example, in Spanish culture, it’s common to name a child after a grandmother or grandfather. Many parents choose a unique name, either first or middle, to go along with a family name. It may also be a great way to have a name that is modern combined with a name that is classic and traditional.
If you are considering Ophelia for your baby girl, then you are likely wondering what middle name would be a great choice for Ophelia. A middle name is a wonderful way to add a personal touch to your child’s name. A middle name can honor a loved one, pay tribute to a special person or place, or remind you of something you love about nature!
There are many beautiful names to choose from, but picking the perfect middle name for your daughter can be tough. Below we’ve outlined some helpful sources of inspiration as well as language tools you can use to choose a middle name for Ophelia that you will love for years to come.
The name Ophelia is of Greek origin and means “aid or benefit.” Ophelia is also a variant of the name Seraphina (Latin). Seraphina is derived from the word seraphim, which means “fiery serpents” or “burning ones.” Ophelia is most notably the tragic heroine in Shakespeare’s famous play, Hamlet.
The name Ophelia is also associated with the flower ophelia. The ophelia is a white flower that symbolizes innocence and purity. It is a popular name in Shakespearean literature and has been a beautiful girl’s name since the 19th century. In terms of popularity, the name Ophelia ranks #608 for a girl in the United States, making it a unique name choice for your little girl.
Famous People Named Ophelia
Ophelia Benson – American author and blogger
Ophelia Lovibond – English actress
Ophelia Todd – character in the novel Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë
How to Choose the Best Middle Name for Ophelia
Family Ties
One of the best sources of inspiration for names is to consider the names of loved ones, including family members and friends.
My son is named John William for his dad, but William is also my dad’s middle name. So it worked perfectly to name him after his dad but call him “William.” The name has fit him perfectly!
My friend named her baby girl Ida Mae after her beloved grandmother.
Ophelia is a classic and old-fashioned name without being too traditional. It is still a rather rare name, and being unique means that a family name might be a great middle name choice!
Think of your heritage, family history, and areas of origin. It can be a fun exercise to ask family members their parents’ names, as well as that of siblings, cousins, and so on. Do any of the names stand out to you? How do they sound with Ophelia?
Special Places
This can be a really fun one! Think of places you have visited and loved.
Family vacation spots, hiking trails, camping areas, lakes or rivers, all places that can serve as inspiration for middle names!
For example, Sydney and Adelaide are names of cities in Australia; Savannah and Charlotte are names of cities in the southern United States; and Shannon and London are European cities. If you’ve been anywhere with a cool name, it may be worth considering for your Ophelia!
Celebrity Names
Have you ever thought of considering a celebrity’s name for your baby’s middle name? And if not a celebrity, what about a favorite teacher, author, or musician?
Helen, Viola, Nora, Nicole, Mae, Greta, Audrey, and Laura are all names of actresses from the early part of the century.
Or you could go with a royal name like Elizabeth, Margaret, Victoria, or Charlotte. Peruse a list of names of famous people (who often create their own unique stage names), and see if any names appeal to you!
Nature Inspired
Since Ophelia is often associated with the flower, have you considered another nature-inspired name for Ophelia? There are so many options in this category!
You could go with Lily, Magnolia, Sage, River, Briar, Grove, Laurel, Ivy, Willow, Skye, Robin, or Wren. You could also go with a season or month, such as Spring, June, Summer, Autumn, or April. There are many great choice that could pair beautifully with Ophelia and give credence to your nature-loving side!
Favorite Books or Shows
As a writer and avid reader, this is my favorite category. It’s amazing how many unique and original names can be found in books and television shows!
My friend named her little girl Perrey after hearing the name on a TV sitcom. When I read the famed book Where The Crawdads Sing, I loved the name Kya (short for Catherine in the book).
You could simply walk through the library and come up with a whole list of names just from the authors! But the characters they create can be particularly interesting and unique.
Think of Beth Finch and all her sisters. Cadi and Fia were interesting names from Francine Rivers’ book The Last Sin Eater. There’s also Allie, Celie, Coraline, Estella, Hazel, Leia, Matilda, Pippi, Romona, and Scarlett!
Syllable Balance
There are sources of inspiration all around if we consider family, friends, places in nature, seasons, books, television, and other places where names abound! And one of the elements that makes some names so memorable is how they sound!
Consider, for example, Anne of Green Gables. We don’t always remember her last name, but that title sure does stick in your memory! Since Green Gables has alliteration, it tends to be easier to remember. It also helps that the syllables are mixed (one and two syllables, respectively).
Syllable balance is the idea that we mix syllables in each word to create a more balanced phrase – and this applies to names as well!
While some names with a 1:1:1 syllable ratio have made it (like James Earl Jones), most names are more memorable when each name – first, middle, and last – has a different set of syllables. Also, James Earl Jones is probably memorable because of its alliteration! Common syllable arrangements include 3:2:1, 1:2:1, 2:2:2, and 4:2:1.
Cadence
Lastly, let’s talk about a special tool called cadence. This is something most common in music but also applicable to names! Cadence simply refers to a pleasing sound – rhythm or flow! Why do some names sound great and others sound like a mouthful?
Cadence has a lot to do with that! Of course, there’s only so much we can do about our last names. But considering our last name to choose the best first and middle names is important!
Since Ophelia has four syllables, you may like to consider a shorter middle name, say something with only one or two syllables. If your last name is already short, then perhaps you don’t need a short middle name for Ophelia.
Whatever the case, the best way to see how the name sounds – and if it has cadence – is to practice saying it aloud!
Nicknames
Some nicknames for Ophelia may include Lia, Effie, or Phe (all nicknames of Ophelias in books or shows)!
Picking the perfect middle name for your daughter can be tough, but if you’re looking for some inspiration, these popular middle names for Ophelia might be just what you need.
Whether you want a name that’s traditional, unique, or has special meaning, there’s sure to be something on this list that will fit your needs. So take a look and see if any of these middle names for Ophelia strike your fancy.
Best Middle Names for Ophelia
Ophelia Adair
Ophelia Adeline
Ophelia Adora
Ophelia Alexis
Ophelia Annabel
Ophelia Anne
Ophelia Anneliese
Ophelia April
Ophelia Astrid
Ophelia Audrey
Ophelia Belle
Ophelia Bette
Ophelia Blair
Ophelia Blythe
Ophelia Bridget
Ophelia Bronwyn
Ophelia Brynn
Ophelia Camille
Ophelia Carys
Ophelia Catherine
Ophelia Cecile
Ophelia Celeste
Ophelia Charlotte
Ophelia Christine
Ophelia Claire
Ophelia Clarisse
Ophelia Clover
Ophelia Colette
Ophelia Corinne
Ophelia Cosette
Ophelia Daphne
Ophelia Dawn
Ophelia Delphine
Ophelia Diane
Ophelia Eden
Ophelia Elaine
Ophelia Eleanor
Ophelia Elise
Ophelia Elle
Ophelia Emerald
Ophelia Emery
Ophelia Erin
Ophelia Estelle
Ophelia Eve
Ophelia Faith
Ophelia Flora
Ophelia Florence
Ophelia Frances
Ophelia Garnet
Ophelia Genevieve
Ophelia Gisele
Ophelia Grace
Ophelia Greer
Ophelia Grier
Ophelia Gwyn
Ophelia Helene
Ophelia Hope
Ophelia Ingrid
Ophelia Iris
Ophelia Isabel
Ophelia Isla
Ophelia Ivy
Ophelia Jade
Ophelia Jane
Ophelia Jasmine
Ophelia Jean
Ophelia Joan
Ophelia Jocelyn
Ophelia Jolene
Ophelia Josephine
Ophelia Joy
Ophelia Juliet
Ophelia June
Ophelia Juniper
Ophelia Kate
Ophelia Kaye
Ophelia Lainey
Ophelia Lane
Ophelia Lark
Ophelia Laurel
Ophelia Lauren
Ophelia Leigh
Ophelia Lilac
Ophelia Lily
Ophelia Lorelei
Ophelia Louise
Ophelia Lucille
Ophelia Lucy
Ophelia Lynn
Ophelia Mabel
Ophelia Madeleine
Ophelia Mae
Ophelia Maeve
Ophelia Mallory
Ophelia Maren
Ophelia Marguerite
Ophelia Marie
Ophelia Marin
Ophelia Marion
Ophelia Martine
Ophelia Mary
Ophelia Mathilde
Ophelia Maude
Ophelia May/Mae
Ophelia Maya
Ophelia Millie
Ophelia Moon
Ophelia Nadine
Ophelia Natalie
Ophelia Nell
Ophelia Noelle
Ophelia Onyx
Ophelia Paige
Ophelia Peace
Ophelia Pearl
Ophelia Plum
Ophelia Quinn
Ophelia Rae
Ophelia Raven
Ophelia Reese
Ophelia Renee
Ophelia Rhiannon
Ophelia River
Ophelia Rosalind
Ophelia Rosamund
Ophelia Rose
Ophelia Rosemary
Ophelia Rue
Ophelia Ruth
Ophelia Sabine
Ophelia Sage
Ophelia Sandrine
Ophelia Sarah
Ophelia Seren
Ophelia Simone
Ophelia Sophie
Ophelia Star
Ophelia Sue
Ophelia Susan
Ophelia Sybil
Ophelia Sylvie
Ophelia Tempest
Ophelia Tess
Ophelia Therese
Ophelia Victoria
Ophelia Violet
Ophelia Vivienne
Ophelia Willow
Ophelia Wren
Ophelia Zoe
Final Thoughts
Ophelia is a lovely name for a baby girl. It has the perfect blend of elegance, sophistication, and flair. There are many great middle names for Ophelia, whether you want a traditional, unique, or meaningful name. We hope this list helped to narrow your search for the perfect middle name for Ophelia. Congratulations on your baby girl! If you discover other amazing middle names for Ophelia, let us know in the comments below!
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