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Baby Names:

Amelia

Meaning: Hardworking; rival

Origin: English

Alternate spellings: Aemelia, Amalia, Am’lie, Amelie, Amilia, Emelia, Millie, Milly

Amelia, a cross between Emily and Amalia, means “hardworking; rival.” Today it’s tied to the great aviatrix (there’s a word you don’t hear often!) Amelia Earhart, who went missing in-flight in 1937 and reappeared (or so Hilary Swank’s performance suggests) in 2009′s Amelia. Like Alice, Amelia is now synonymous with adventure.

You might pick Amelia for its nickname potential: Millie, Mia, and Lia are all cute options. After the 2001 movie that bears the name, more and more parents are flocking to French version Am’lie instead. But classic Amelia remains a popular choice…and a great alternative to the ubiquitous Emily.