Octavia
From Latin Octāvia, feminine form of the gens name Octāvius, from octavus (“the eighth”).
Every Octavia since 1880 — 24,117 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Octavia
Octavia is moderately common for girls in the United States, ranked #308 in 2025 with 982 babies given the name. It is currently rising compared with a decade ago.
Since 1880, 24,117 American babies have been named Octavia. Its peak came in 2021, when 1,238 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 2020s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Octavia stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Octavia year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 982 | #308 | — | — |
| 2024 | 1,074 | #294 | — | — |
| 2023 | 1,129 | #279 | — | — |
| 2022 | 1,238 | #247 | — | — |
| 2021 | 1,238 | #248 | — | — |
| 2020 | 930 | #334 | — | — |
| 2019 | 852 | #371 | — | — |
| 2018 | 737 | #427 | — | — |
| 2017 | 505 | #595 | — | — |
| 2016 | 260 | #1,019 | — | — |
| 2015 | 175 | #1,361 | — | — |
| 2014 | 71 | #2,531 | — | — |
| 2013 | 73 | #2,481 | — | — |
| 2012 | 81 | #2,332 | — | — |
| 2011 | 72 | #2,530 | — | — |
| 2010 | 91 | #2,162 | — | — |
| 2009 | 109 | #1,928 | — | — |
| 2008 | 117 | #1,842 | — | — |
| 2007 | 95 | #2,127 | — | — |
| 2006 | 130 | #1,638 | — | — |
| 2005 | 162 | #1,348 | — | — |
| 2004 | 140 | #1,457 | — | — |
| 2003 | 165 | #1,269 | — | — |
| 2002 | 196 | #1,088 | — | — |
| 2001 | 183 | #1,144 | — | — |
| 2000 | 195 | #1,064 | — | — |
| 1995 | 269 | #757 | — | — |
| 1990 | 365 | #618 | 11 | #4,902 |
| 1985 | 306 | #619 | — | — |
| 1980 | 188 | #833 | 9 | #4,398 |
| 1975 | 194 | #744 | — | — |
| 1970 | 115 | #1,066 | — | — |
| 1965 | 83 | #1,183 | — | — |
| 1960 | 61 | #1,414 | — | — |
| 1955 | 59 | #1,316 | — | — |
| 1950 | 50 | #1,298 | — | — |
| 1945 | 44 | #1,205 | — | — |
| 1940 | 34 | #1,288 | — | — |
| 1935 | 42 | #1,083 | — | — |
| 1930 | 56 | #989 | — | — |
| 1925 | 74 | #869 | — | — |
| 1920 | 114 | #682 | 7 | #3,724 |
| 1915 | 63 | #825 | — | — |
| 1910 | 65 | #509 | — | — |
| 1905 | 53 | #471 | — | — |
| 1900 | 54 | #462 | — | — |
| 1895 | 38 | #476 | — | — |
| 1890 | 32 | #465 | — | — |
| 1885 | 24 | #437 | — | — |
| 1880 | 27 | #306 | — | — |
Famous people named Octavia
- Octavia the Younger Politician · -69–-11
- Octavia Spencer Actor · b. 1972
- Octavia the Elder Politician · -100–-60
- Octavia E. Butler Writer · 1947–2006
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Octavia mean?
From Latin Octāvia, feminine form of the gens name Octāvius, from octavus (“the eighth”).
How popular is the name Octavia in 2025?
Octavia ranked #308 among girls' names in the United States in 2025, with 982 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Octavia?
24,117 babies have been named Octavia in the United States since 1880, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Octavia most popular?
Octavia peaked in 2021, when 1,238 newborns received the name.
Is Octavia a boy or girl name?
Octavia is overwhelmingly a girl's name — 99% of babies with the name.
Is the name Octavia rising or falling?
Octavia is on the rise — noticeably more popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Octavia?
Well-known people named Octavia include Octavia the Younger (politician), Octavia Spencer (actor), Octavia the Elder (politician).