A 1890s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Orpha since 1880
Babies named Orpha per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1917, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Orpha's real moment was 1891.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 431 |
| 1890s | 773 |
| 1900s | 783 |
| 1910s | 1,404 |
| 1920s | 1,307 |
| 1930s | 611 |
| 1940s | 289 |
| 1950s | 157 |
| 1960s | 81 |
| 1970s | 56 |
| 1980s | 39 |
| 1990s | 5 |
| 2000s | 21 |
| 2010s | 11 |
| 2020s | 6 |
Meaning & origin
Orpha is a biblical name that first appeared in U.S. records in 1880 and reached its highest popularity in 1891. After a long period of decline, the name has been rising again since 2022. While rarely used, Orpha's association with the Book of Ruth gives it a quiet, traditional resonance. Like many 19th-century biblical revivals, Orpha has not seen a widespread comeback but remains a distinctive choice for those drawn to Old Testament names. Its current uptick, though small, may reflect a renewed interest in uncommon names from scripture.
Orpha appears in the Hebrew Bible as the name of a Moabite woman, daughter-in-law of Naomi. The name's etymology is uncertain; it is sometimes linked to the Hebrew word for 'neck' (oref) or to the root meaning 'to flee'. Other scholars associate it with the Hebrew word for 'fawn' or 'gazelle' (ofer). The name is best known from the biblical Book of Ruth, making it a traditional if rare choice among some Christian and Jewish communities.
Where Orpha is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Nicknames & variants
Variants: Orpah
Sibling names for Orpha
Names that share Orpha's style, for a brother or sister.
