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HelpRe: Why isn't Ophelia as popular of a name as Olivia?
in reply to a message by Guest
Ophelia has more stuff going on than Olivia.
Ophelia is a unique, invented name that evokes a specific character made memorable through her tragic fate (how many people could say who Olivia was in Shakespeare?). It's much more fanciful than Olivia, and Olivia has a longer history as a given name. Olivia is beautiful but also gives the bearer more options, while Ophelia has such a strong personality it's harder for it to be flexible in terms of what kind of person could carry it off.
Olivia also has easier nickname choices. What to call an Ophelia for short? Oph? Ophie? Feely? Nothing seems quite comfortable.
I think that's probably why Ophelia doesn't appeal to as many people.
Ophelia is a unique, invented name that evokes a specific character made memorable through her tragic fate (how many people could say who Olivia was in Shakespeare?). It's much more fanciful than Olivia, and Olivia has a longer history as a given name. Olivia is beautiful but also gives the bearer more options, while Ophelia has such a strong personality it's harder for it to be flexible in terms of what kind of person could carry it off.
Olivia also has easier nickname choices. What to call an Ophelia for short? Oph? Ophie? Feely? Nothing seems quite comfortable.
I think that's probably why Ophelia doesn't appeal to as many people.
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