Julia: Name Meaning, Origin, & Popularity

Girl name origins & meanings

What does Julia mean and stand for?

Meaning:

Latin: Youthful; downy; a feminine version of Julius
Greek: Soft-haired; youthful

Gender: Female

Syllables: 3

Pronunciation: The name Julia is pronounced joo-lee-uh

The name Julia has its origins in Latin, derived from the Roman family name Julianus, which means "youthful" or "downy." It is also linked to the Greek name Ioulia, carrying a similar meaning. Possible roots include Latin iuvenis ("youthful"); Greek ioulos ("downy-bearded"); or the form of Jupiter Jovis ("sky father"). Over centuries, Julia has been a prominent name in many cultures, celebrated for its elegant and classical sound.

Girl name variations

Family name origins & meanings

Catalan (Julià): from the personal name Julià, Catalan form of Julian.

Famous people with this first name

Julia Roberts

Famous people with this last name

Raul Julia

Famous people who gave their babies this name

Patsy Cline

Ralph Macchio

Tony Randall

Julia in Pop Culture

Do you know these fictional characters that share this first name?

Julia Houston from Smash - An accomplished musical theatre writer and composer navigating the challenges of Broadway.
Julia Wicker from The Magicians - A talented and complex character who becomes a powerful hedge witch.
Julia Salinger from Party of Five - A loving yet troubled teenager who is part of a family of siblings who must fend for themselves after their parents' death.
Julia Baker from Julia - One of the first African American women to star in a network television series, she is a nurse and a single mother.
Julia McNamara from Nip/Tuck - The wife of a plastic surgeon who strives to find her own identity amidst a turbulent personal life.

Popularity of the Name Julia

According to Social Security Administration data, Julia has been a consistently popular name in the United States, remaining within the top 100 names for decades.

Julia is a classic name, beginning with Saint Julia of Corsica. It is Shakespearean, Dickensian, Orwellian, and Harry Potter-related. It has historical significance with notable figures such as Julia Ward Howe, the author of "The Battle Hymn of the Republic," and Julia Child, the renowned chef and television personality who introduced French cuisine to American audiences. In literature and media, Julia is a prominent character in George Orwell's 1984 and has appeared in series such as Parenthood and Party of Five. Actresses like Julia Roberts have also contributed to the name's enduring popularity.