Bopha
A girl's name of Khmer origin with 45 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
If you're considering Bopha, you're looking at a name that fewer than 45 families have ever chosen in the U.S. That kind of rarity is intentional — it signals that the name was chosen for its sound, its personal meaning, or a family connection rather than a trend.
The open, warm ending gives Bopha a crisp, modern feel that pairs easily with most surnames.
Bopha is not in the current top 1,000 girl names nationally, making it an uncommon choice — though your state or community may differ.
Bopha is a girl's baby name of Khmer origin, from the Khmer word meaning 'flower' — a name of simple, natural beauty used widely in Cambodia and among Khmer-speaking communities around the world.
Flowers hold special significance in Cambodian culture, especially in Buddhist ritual offerings. Bopha is a name of delicate, unpretentious beauty — a single syllable that carries the fragrance of a bloom, the quiet perfection of something natural and whole.
EtymologyShow more
In the American context, Bopha is a girl's name with a focused stretch of recorded use (1982–1993). Its Khmer roots connect it to a broader naming tradition, but in practice, American usage often reshapes names — adding nicknames, shifting pronunciation, and building new associations that diverge from the original cultural context.
With 45 total births, Bopha exists at the edges of the American naming landscape — a name known primarily to the families who carry it, giving it an intensely personal character.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Bopha has 7+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1982.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 11 | ▼ |
| 1980s | 34 | — |
The Story of Bopha
A Millennial name
Peaking in 1984, Bopha is a Millennial-era classic. Girls named Bopha are most likely born between 1982 and 1993.
How rare is Bopha?
With fewer than 500 recorded births, Bopha is an exceptionally rare name — a one-of-a-kind choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1982, peaked in the 1980s with 34 births that decade, and has gracefully settled into a quieter chapter.
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(7 years, 1982–1993)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 1993 | 5 | #13716 |
| 1990 | 6 | #11575 |
| 1988 | 6 | #10520 |
| 1986 | 9 | #7189 |
| 1984 | 9 | #6864 |
| 1983 | 5 | #10441 |
| 1982 | 5 | #10671 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bopha a boy's or girl's name?
When was Bopha most popular?
How popular is the name Bopha?
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Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1982–1993