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At a Glance
- Meaning
- A name invented by novelist Frances Burney for a character in her 1778 novel 'Evelina'; often read as 'golden town,' though it may instead draw on the Welsh name Eurfyl ('gold').
- Origin
- Literary coinage (English, possibly Welsh-influenced)
- Gender
- Used for both boys and girls
- Pronunciation
- OR-vil
Orville isn't an ancient name with a long lineage — it was invented by novelist Frances Burney for a character in her 1778 novel 'Evelina.' You might see it explained as meaning 'golden town,' but that's not accurate; Wiktionary suggests it may instead echo the Welsh name Eurfyl, meaning 'gold.' Either way, it's a name born on the page rather than passed down through generations.
Meaning & Origin of Orville
Meaning: A name invented by novelist Frances Burney for a character in her 1778 novel 'Evelina'; often read as 'golden town,' though it may instead draw on the Welsh name Eurfyl ('gold')..
Origin: Literary coinage (English, possibly Welsh-influenced).
A common claim: Widely described as meaning 'golden town.' Actually: Orville was invented by novelist Frances Burney for a character in her 1778 novel 'Evelina.' It's often read as 'golden town,' though it may instead echo the Welsh name Eurfyl ('gold').
Source: Wiktionary, Wikipedia.
How to Pronounce Orville
OR-vilIPA /ˈɔːrvɪl/
Popularity of Orville
Orville peaked at #120 back in 1913, when 676 baby boys were given the name; by 2024 it had dropped to #7117, with just 12 boys named Orville that year.
Names Like Orville
Names with a similar style, era, origin or popularity history.
FAQ
What does the name Orville mean?
A name invented by novelist Frances Burney for a character in her 1778 novel ‘Evelina’; often read as ‘golden town,’ though it may instead draw on the Welsh name Eurfyl (‘gold’).. (Source: Wiktionary)
How do you pronounce Orville?
Orville is pronounced OR-vil (IPA: /ˈɔːrvɪl/).
Is Orville a popular name right now?
Orville peaked at #120 in 1913 and is ranked #7117 as of 2024. (U.S. Social Security Administration data, 1880–2024.)
Make Orville Name Art
Free printable nursery art for Orville, pre-loaded below — pick a layout, palette, and font, then download a print-ready PNG.
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