It’s a rarity with that stylish -lia ending.
Thanks to Christina for suggesting Romelia as our Baby Name of the Day.
Romelia: Rarity
Romelia may be rare, but it’s definitely been in use in the US.
In 2014, there nine newborns given the name. Back in 1970, that number was 21. And in 1940, 25.
Most of the sources suggest that this is a Spanish name, and two uses back that up:
- First, the masculine form would likely be Romelio, and in Barranquilla, Colombia sits Estadio Romelio Martinez, a 20,000 seat sports stadium. The project was initiated in 1932 and completed in 1934, so presumably Mr. Martinez lived sometime in the late nineteenth/early twentieth centuries to have such a major project named in his honor. It’s considered a national monument, thanks in part to its Art Deco style.
- Refugio Nacional de Vida Silvestre Romelia is a wildlife refuge in Costa Rica. I’m assuming that makes Romelia a surname as Silvestre is the Spanish form of Sylvester.
I hid dead ends searching for more information in both countries, but it’s enough to make it seem likely that the name is used primarily by Spanish-speakers – and not very frequently today, though I did find plenty of women by the name.
Romelia: Rome
There are a handful of names that sound like Romelia, and that suggests a few other possible origins.
First, there’s Romilda, which comes from the Germanic elements meaning “famous” and “battle.” A fierce meaning, and JK Rowling gave the name to a fellow Gryffindor classmate in the Harry Potter series. Romilda Vane fought on the side of Dumbledore’s Army during the Battle of Hogwarts.
The Visigoths brought plenty of Germanic names to Spain. Their reign lasted from the fifth to eighth centuries, so it’s easy to imagine Romilda softening to Romelia over the centuries.
Second, there’s a masculine name briefly mentioned in the Old Testament – Remaliah.
I think Romilda is a far more likely origin story for the name than Remaliah.
But the name also brings to mind Roma, the Italian name for the eternal city of Rome. Romanus was a given name meaning “from Rome” that evolved in Latin. Romania might be a more likely elaborated form, but I don’t know that we can rule out Romelia.
Because here’s the thing: Romola is the feminine form of Romulus. Which definitely means “of Rome,” since he and his twin brother Remus are the city’s legendary founders. Romilius is another related name, and the origin of the French surname Romilly.
British actress Romola Garai makes the name somewhat familiar.
And, of course, Roma – as in actress Roma Downey – has some history as a given name, too.
Romelia: Wearable Rarity
So there’s no definitive origin for Romelia. In my attempts to read Spanish-language resources, it looks like they’re divided between Romilda and Roma, too.
Putting the question of origins aside, this name is just plain gorgeous:
- It shares the Romy nickname with Rosemary and Romilly.
- Ends in -lia names for girls are a huge category, form the wildly popular Amelia to the up-and-coming Cordelia.
- It’s a long, romantic name with a history of use in Spanish, just like Isabella, Sofia, Valentina, Adelina, Esmeralda, and many more.
Romelia isn’t likely to be the next Top 100 name in the US. But it is an intriguing, wearable rarity that brings to mind one of the most historic cities in the world, and has other possible origins, too.
What do you think of Romelia? Would you consider the name for a daughter? Also, I’d love to hear from Spanish-speaking readers – any insight as to the name’s origins?
My mother was named Romelia but she hated it and would not allow any of us to name a daughter after her. My cousin’s aunt is also Romelia. We are Mexican.
I’m Romelio, my father is Romelio, and we got our name from my Grandma’s aunt named Romelia. We’re Honduran with family in Spain.
Hi my name is Romelia from my dad and mum’s name. My dad’s name is Romeo and my mum’s name is Virgilia they combine their name. I used to hate my name when I was young because it was unusual. But now I love it.
I grew up in Roma, Italy and My grandmother in was called Romelia Prosperi. ( after Rome) She was born in 1904 .
We loved that name and never met anyone – not even in Italy with that first name. it is now my nieces middle name here in Chicago
My name is Romelia Gabriela (I’ll leave out my last name). I have been trying to find where my name originated from. I was named after my grandma, but she too does not know where it originated from. My nicknames include Romelí and Romi, and Romy. I am Mexican. I wish I could find more information!
Hi my name is also Romelia. I’m also trying to find out where did my name originated from ….have you found out any thing about the name Romelia ? Where it came from ? Would like to know
I love this name! I think I would spell is Romilia, though, because I find that to be more visually pleasing to me.
Romelia… A name you can’t quite forget and definitely an original… I am a Romelia. I am Hawaiian, Filipino, Chinese & English. I go by Lia for short!
My family’s last name is Romele. I am going to suggest to the daughters to consider naming one of their daughters Romelia as their first name in order to incorporate our family name in their name. It is a nice solution to offer when the three-name title is too long.
I named my daughter Romelia because I combined my son’s name “Roman” and grandmother’s name “Amelia” surprised to find out it was actually a name.
I love this name! I think I may like it even more than Aurelia, which is one of my current top faves.
I love this name! Trying to think of someone to recommend it to right now!
Romelia combines so many things I like in a name – plus it’s frilly with plenty of nickname options.
What an interesting name! I hadn’t come across it before, so of course I had to investigate. 🙂
Romelia is definitely connected to Remaliah: The Middle English form of that name in the Wycliffite Bible of 1395 is Romelie, deriving from the Latin form Romelia found in Jerome’s Vulgate. As to when it become a feminine name, I’ve found a 12th C Romelia uxor Ingelranni in France, and I think I’ve found a reference to the name in medieval Italy, but the details aren’t clear and I’ll need to follow up on it.
Romelius also appears to be an alternative Latinization of Rumiliacus, aka Remilly-sur-Tille, so there’s a nice French nod.
Sara, you never cease to amaze me! That is a fascinating connection – and yes, more good reasons to like the name.
It’s a matter of knowing what combination of search terms to search for in googlebooks. 🙂 (Though my friends don’t call me an onomagician for nothing. 🙂 )