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Aphra

OriginHebrew, variation of Aphrah
Meaning"dust"
US RankUnranked

Below 5 births

About Aphra

Aphra would make an interesting choice-- especially since it's the name of the first professional female writer in English, the seventeenth century's Aphra Behn. Born in 1640, she was a prolific dramatist of the English Restoration, and a spy.

The spelling Aphra was probably inspired by the biblical place name Aphrah, but in medieval English records it also had spellings such as Eaffry and Affery, and is thought to derive from Anglo-Saxon names such as Aethelthryth and Aelthryth — which would make it a cousin of Audrey.

In antiquity, Afra was also a name for a woman from Africa that eventually became a given name, and was borne by several Roman saints.

Pronounced AF-ruh.

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Famous Aphras

  • Aphra Behn

    English poet, playwright, spy

Aphra in pop culture

  • Aphra Marsh

    main character of the "Innsmouth Legacy" series by Ruthanna Emrys

  • Chelli Lona Aphra

    character in Star Wars comic series

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