Orpha
Orpha is a girl's name of Hebrew origin.
Meaning
Fawn, gazelle, or back of the neck.
Origin and history
Orpha is a biblical name derived from the Hebrew word for 'fawn' or 'back of the neck'. In the Old Testament, Orpah was the daughter-in-law of Naomi and sister-in-law of Ruth. While historically used in the United States during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, it has become exceedingly rare in modern times.
Popularity in the United States
5,974 babies in the United States have been named Orpha since 1880. It ranks #2206 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #2095.
States where it is most popular
- PA (16.7 %)
- WV (14.3 %)
- KY (8 %)
- OH (7.4 %)
- IN (7.3 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 431 |
| 1890-1900 | 773 |
| 1900-1910 | 783 |
| 1910-1920 | 1,404 |
| 1920-1930 | 1,307 |
| 1930-1940 | 611 |
| 1940-1950 | 289 |
| 1950-1960 | 157 |
| 1960-1970 | 81 |
| 1970-1980 | 56 |
| 1980-1990 | 39 |
| 1990-2000 | 5 |
| 2000-2010 | 21 |
| 2010-2019 | 11 |
| 2020-2029 | 6 |
Famous people named Orpha
- Orpha Klinker: Artist, Painter
Fun facts
- In the Hebrew Bible, Orpah was a Moabite woman who chose to return to her homeland while Ruth stayed with Naomi.
- Media mogul Oprah Winfrey was originally named Orpah on her birth certificate after the biblical figure, but her name was mispronounced and spelled as Oprah.