NameCensus.
Very Rare

Orphia

Form of the feminine name Orpheus, derived from Greek origin meaning "lyre player".

Name Census estimates that about 1 living Americans carry the first name Orphia. The name is used almost exclusively for girls. The average person named Orphia today is around 119 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Orphia births was 1918 (9 babies).

This page is the full Name Census profile for Orphia. Below you will find a gender breakdown showing how the name splits between male and female registrations, a year-by-year popularity chart stretching back to 1880, decade-level totals, the top US states for this name, its meaning and etymology, and a set of frequently asked questions with data-backed answers.

Key insights

  • The typical person named Orphia is about 119 years old today, placing it firmly among the names of earlier generations. Most living Orphias were born before 1917.
  • Fewer than 100 living Americans are believed to carry the name Orphia. It is among the rarest names in the SSA records.

People living today

1

~ 1 in 342,754,338 Americans

Peak year

1918

9 babies that year

Average age

119

years old

1925 SSA rank

#5,592

Tracked since 1880

Origin

Meaning and history of Orphia

The name Orphia has its origins in Ancient Greek culture, with roots dating back to the 5th century BCE. It is derived from the Greek word "orphanos," meaning "orphan" or "bereaved." This suggests that the name may have been given to children who had lost one or both parents at a young age.

One of the earliest recorded uses of the name Orphia can be found in the writings of the ancient Greek historian Herodotus. He mentions an Orphia from the city of Miletus, who was known for her bravery and leadership during a period of conflict.

In Greek mythology, there is a character named Orphia, who was a priestess of the goddess Artemis. She was said to have been gifted with the ability to communicate with animals and was revered for her wisdom and connection to nature.

During the Byzantine era, which spanned from the 4th to the 15th century CE, the name Orphia was relatively common among the aristocracy. One notable figure was Orphia Palaiologina, a Byzantine princess who lived in the 13th century and was known for her patronage of the arts and sciences.

In the 16th century, there was an Orphia Della Rovere, an Italian noblewoman who was a prominent figure in the court of Pope Julius II. She was renowned for her intelligence and political acumen, and played a significant role in shaping the cultural and artistic landscape of Renaissance Italy.

Another historical figure who bore the name Orphia was Orphia Flavius, a Roman military commander who lived in the 3rd century CE. She was celebrated for her strategic brilliance and leadership on the battlefield, and is said to have played a pivotal role in several decisive victories against invading forces.

While the name Orphia may have its roots in ancient times, it has maintained a presence throughout history. From brave warriors and influential nobles to renowned artists and scholars, those who have carried this name have left an indelible mark on the world around them.

People

Orphia + last name combinations

How many people share a full name with Orphia as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.

Related

Other names starting with O

Other first names starting with O with a similar number of bearers.

FAQ

Orphia: questions and answers

How many people in the U.S. are named Orphia?

Name Census puts the figure at roughly 1 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Orphia going back to 1880 and adjusting each cohort for expected survival using CDC actuarial life tables. The result is an age-weighted living-bearer count, not a raw birth total. That works out to about 1 in 342,754,338 US residents.

Is Orphia a common name?

We classify Orphia as "Very Rare". It ranks above 3.8% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 101 babies have been registered with this name.

When was Orphia most popular?

The single biggest year for Orphia was 1918, when 9 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Orphia is about 119 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.

Is Orphia a female name?

Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Orphia in the SSA data are female. You can see the full per-sex comparison in the gender distribution section above, which includes the latest year rank, birth count, and peak year for each sex.

Where does this data come from?

First-name figures come from the Social Security Administration's national baby name files, which cover every name on a birth certificate from 1880 to 2024. Living-bearer estimates layer in CDC actuarial life tables broken out by sex to account for mortality. The population baseline (342,754,338) is the Census Bureau's latest national estimate. You can read the full calculation on our methodology page.

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Orphia

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