Last week, we celebrated the Bard's 450th birthday—and the fact that he made so many of his character's names instant (and timeless) classics. William Shakespeare's first name is still a top 10 choice after centuries, and names like Juliet, Rosalind, Cordelia, Duncan, Miranda, Viola and yes, even Romeo have popped up time and time again.
But one character's name has often gotten the short shrift—and that's Ophelia. The fact that the bearer of the name drowned in the river in Hamlet's tragic tale probably helped doom the name—it hasn't been in the top 1000 since the 1950s. But it's a beautiful name, a nice alternative to the ubiquitous Olivia, and has a lovely meaning—help. Matilda author Roald Dahl even picked it for one of his daughters.
Ophelia needs a nice short middle name to go with it. I'd pair it with Lark, Rose, Hope or Faith.
What do you think of the name Ophelia? Too burdened by the weight of its tragic Shakespearean character, or worthy of another look? And what other Shakespeare names do you love? You can check out my list of the most wearable baby names from Shakespeare for inspiration!
Make sure to check out our Baby Name Finder to help you search for the perfect name for your baby. And don't forget to like In Name Only on Facebook to keep up with the very latest in baby names!
