Name Portia

Portia is a feminine name with Latin origins. It is considered a ubiquitous name that has experienced moderate growth in popularity recently.

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Meaning of the name Portia

Origins and Core Meaning

Portia, derived from the Latin word "portio", meaning "a share" or "a portion", is a name steeped in the idea of inheritance or destiny. It's often bestowed upon children, embodying the expectation that they will carry on a family's legacy or make significant contributions to society.

Detailed Insights on Portia

Origins

Latin: "portio" (a share or a portion).

Symbolic Representation

Portia has been associated with strength, wisdom, and fortune. In Shakespeare's play "The Merchant of Venice", the character Portia is a wealthy and intelligent woman who disguises herself as a male lawyer to save her loved one. This portrayal has cemented the name's association with resilience and cunning.

Personality Traits

The name Portia exudes an aura of sophistication, strength, and determination. It suggests a person who is self-assured, independent, and possesses a strong sense of self-worth.

Key Personality Traits

Personal Meanings of the Name Portia

  • Portia is a Latin word. In my studies I found many references and possible meanings. Not just in Shakespeare, but also historically, in the translation from Hebrew to Latin. It's been said to mean the sacrifices or offering. Also has shown the possible translation of the doorway or gateway. There also shows to be some references to Greek mythology, saying she was a goddess of justice. Portia is a very strong and powerful name.

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  • Portia could be derived from Latin portionem (nominative portio) "share, part, portion." Alternatively, Portia could also be derived from Latin porta "city gate, gate; door, entrance." It is a lovely name that belonged to one of Shakespeare's strongest and most brilliant female characters, the lawyer and heiress Portia in "The Merchant of Venice."

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  • I would have thought that if Portia is indeed the feminine form of Porcius, the ancient Romans would have spelt it Porcia. After all, the ancient Romans did not have a habit of replacing thecin a male name with atin the feminine version of the name. Just compare: Marcius > Marcia and Roscius > Roscia. All Latin names follow this kind of pattern; why would it suddenly be Porcius > Portia instead of Porcius > Porcia?
    Isn't it more likely that Portia is the feminine form of Portius, which actually means "port, harbour"?
    Portius is confused with Porcius on occasion, so it is not surprising if the same happens to Portia and Porcia. So perhaps that is the case here as well?

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Portia Overview & Analysis

Gender statistics

Portia is predominantly a girl's name with a strong feminine identity. Among 7,013 people named Portia, 7,005 are female and 8 are male resulting in a 99.89% female distribution. This pronounced gender imbalance underscores the name Portia's strong feminine identity.

Data Explanation

This data is sourced from actual birth records, ensuring that the statistics provided are accurate reflections of real naming trends. The percentage has been rounded up for easier readability, but the underlying figures are grounded in factual data, not estimates. This ensures that the information is both reliable and user-friendly, giving a clear and truthful picture of the name Portia's gender association.

Popularity

Portia classified as an ubiquitous name and ranks 2,878 in the Namedary database. It has experienced moderate growth over the years, and experienced moderate growth recently. The chance of meeting someone named Portia is nearly 0.002%, or about one in 50,000+ people.

Popularity and Usage Trends for Portia

Based on the latest data from 2019 (5), 2020 (8), 2021 (6), Portia's year-to-year percentage change in popularity is -69.23%. The name Portia was most popular in 1989, making up 0.007% of baby names (or about one in 10,000+ babies).

Country-Specific Prevalence
Portia Popularity by Country
FlagCountryRankPopularity
Australia1,4170.002%
New Zealand1,4380.004%
Canada2,5270.003%
United Kingdom2,6940.003%
United States2,8460.002%

People named Portia are predominantly found in New Zealand (NZ), where it constitutes 0.004% of the total population.

Data Source

The data in this section was gathered from a variety of sources, including:

To enhance readability, percentages are rounded up. Values less than 0.0015% have been omitted.

Additional Information on Portia

Pronunciation and Phonetics

Name
Portia
Pronunciation
  • Por-tia
  • por-ti-a
  • pawr-shuh
IPA Notation
pɔˈɹʃʌ
Syllable
Chinese Translation of the Name Portia
Translation
波希娅
Pronunce
(PinYin) : bō xī yà
Feng Shui
WaterWaterEarth
Portia in Numerology
Portia: Name to Numerology Conversion
PORTIA
691
792

Applying the rules of numerology (Pythagorean numerology):

Portia's Soul Number (Heart's Desire Number): Number 7

  • Follow your convictions, even if they contradict the beliefs of others.
  • You possess a deep desire to become a seeker of contemplative truth, an uncoverer of life's secrets and mysteries.
  • You strive to delve into the depths of existence, seeking hidden truths. You have the potential to achieve this in fields such as science, metaphysics, technology, psychology, philosophy, religion, or other academic pursuits.

Portia's Expression Number (Personality Number): Number 9

  • You prioritize humor while slightly downplaying seriousness.
  • Exercise caution to prevent misplaced jests and superficial banter.
  • Demonstrate adaptability in all aspects of life.
  • Embrace greater determination to accomplish tasks in this life, striking a balance between seriousness and lightheartedness.

Portia's Destiny Number (Life Path Number): Number 7

  • You embody knowledge, courage, honesty, analytical skills, wisdom, and a dedication to truth.
  • You possess an interest in the occult and may have some degree of psychic ability.
Famous People Named Portia
  • Portia de Rossi: An Australian-American actress known for her roles in "Arrested Development" and "Scandal."
  • Portia Simpson-Miller: A Jamaican politician who served as Prime Minister of Jamaica from 2006 to 2011 and again from 2012 to 2016.
  • Portia Freeman: A New Zealand actress known for her roles in "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy and "Xena: Warrior Princess."
  • Portia White: An American singer and songwriter known for her collaborations with John Mayer and other notable musicians.
  • Portia Doubleday: An American actress known for her roles in "Mr. Robot" and "Teen Wolf."

User-Submitted Information about Portia

  • The popularity of the name needs to be updated. My name is Portia and I was born in 2000.

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  • The name Portia was given to 42 girls born in the US in 2015.

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  • My math teacher pronounces this name as "por-tee-uh".

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Conclusion

Portia is a multifaceted name that carries a rich tapestry of meaning, emotion, and symbolism. It's a name that evokes images of strength, independence, and destiny. Whether bestowed upon a newborn child or a character in literature, Portia is a name that commands respect and admiration.

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