Oprah

♀ Girl

How to Pronounce Oprah

Pronounced OH-pruh /ˈoʊ.prə/High

Meaning: Oprah is famously a variant of the biblical Orpah, the Moabite sister-in-law of Ruth, whose Hebrew name is generally read as 'nape of the neck' or, by some, 'young deer'. The now-iconic spelling arose from a transposition of Orpah's letters.Medium

In 30 seconds: Oprah reworks the biblical Orpah — Hebrew for 'nape' or 'fawn' — a single famous namesake made it known (said 'OH-pruh').

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Origin MediumHebrew

MeaningOprah is famously a variant of the biblical Orpah, the Moabite sister-in-law of Ruth, whose Hebrew name is generally read as 'nape of the neck' or, by some, 'young deer'. The now-iconic spelling arose from a transposition of Orpah's letters.

U.S. rank (2007)#15078 ↘ Falling

2007 U.S. births7 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)

Peak year1987

Total births (all-time)≈ 99

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Oprah traces to the biblical Orpah, a woman in the Book of Ruth whose Hebrew name is usually glossed 'nape of the neck' or 'fawn'. The talk-show host Oprah Winfrey was named Orpah after her, but the letters were transposed on her paperwork to Oprah, and her fame made that spelling the household form.

As a baby name it has always been extremely rare, its small blip in the late nineteen-eighties clearly a namesake effect rather than a broad trend. Almost inseparable from one person, it remains a singular, uncommon choice.

Did you know? Oprah's tiny run in the record, cresting around 1987, tracks the rise of Oprah Winfrey; even at its peak it was given to only a few dozen girls a year.

Overall data confidence 60%

References — Oprah — variant of biblical Orpah; Oprah Winfrey namesake

Variations

OrpahOphrahOpra

Nicknames

OpiePrah

Famous Bearers

★Oprah Winfrey (1954–present)
American talk-show host, producer, and philanthropist; named after the biblical Orpah, with the spelling transposed.

If you like Oprah…

Ruth— the biblical figure Orpah appears beside

Naomi— a like biblical name from the Book of Ruth

Tabitha— a like biblical girls' name

Selah— another biblical pick

Liah— shares Oprah's Hebrew roots

Explore names like Oprah

By themerare biblical namesake

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Oprah mean?

Oprah is a variant of the biblical Orpah, a Hebrew name usually read as 'nape of the neck' or 'fawn'.

How do you pronounce Oprah?

It's said OH-pruh /ˈoʊ.prə/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Oprah a boy or girl name?

Oprah is used as a girl's name.

How popular is Oprah?

Oprah is very rare as a baby name in the U.S., closely associated with one famous namesake.