Holding steady.
Popularity of Ouida since 1887
Babies named Ouida per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1924, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Ouida's real moment was 1933.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 14 |
| 1890s | 123 |
| 1900s | 217 |
| 1910s | 757 |
| 1920s | 1,347 |
| 1930s | 1,027 |
| 1940s | 598 |
| 1950s | 439 |
| 1960s | 220 |
| 1970s | 112 |
| 1980s | 26 |
| 1990s | 6 |
| 2000s | 0 |
| 2010s | 0 |
| 2020s | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Ouida is a rare and literary female name, most familiar as the pen name of Victorian novelist Maria Louise Ramé. First recorded in U.S. births in 1887, its peak year of use was 1933, during the height of the author's posthumous popularity. The name never entered the top 1,000 rankings, reflecting its consistently uncommon status. Its trajectory has remained stable at extremely low levels, and it was recorded in fewer than 5 births per year in the latest decade. The name is virtually absent from modern usage, making it a distinctive choice with a strong literary heritage.
Ouida is best known as the pen name of the English novelist Maria Louise Ramé (1839-1908), who adopted it from her childhood mispronunciation of 'Louise'. The name gained modest usage in the late 19th and early 20th centuries as a feminine given name, likely influenced by her popular novels. It has never been common, and its use has remained sporadic.
Sibling names for Ouida
Names that share Ouida's style, for a brother or sister.
