Lucia: Name Meaning, Origin, Popularity, & Inspiration

Girl name origins & meanings

Italian : Light
Latin : Light

What does Lucia mean and stand for?

The name Lucia is of Latin origin and means "light." It is the feminine version of Lucius, and is derived from the Latin Lux, also meaning "light." Saint Lucia was widely revered in the Middle Ages, and the name has been used in Europe since the 12th century.

Syllables: 3

Girl name variations

Family name origins & meanings

Spanish (Lucía) and southern Italian : from the female personal name Lucia, feminine derivative of Latin lux ‘light’.
English : from a Latinized form of Luce.
Respelling of French Lussier.

Famous people who gave their babies this name

Mel Gibson

Mira Sorvino

Popularity

According to Social Security Administration data, Lucia has been fairly stagnant since breaking the top 200 in 2017. It has remained between 160 and 180, reaching a peak rank of 158 in 2019.

However, it is the 4th most popular name on FamilyEducation.com.

According to Google search data analysis, in the last five years Lucia was at its peak popularity in October 2017.

Lucia, while always popular in Spain, is just now gaining momentum in America. In the 4th century, Saint Lucia was a martyr who had her eyes gouged out, making her the patron saint of the blind. The rise can be partially attributed to the large number of celebrities who have chosen Lucia for their daughters: James Joyce, Mira Sorvino, Giovanni Ribisi, Mel Gibson, and Sasha Alexander and Eduardo Pointi. Another reason is due notable namesakes, such as novelist Lucía Etxebarría, scientist Lucia Galeazzi Galvani, and violinist Lucia Micarelli. Though not overly common in pop culture, Lucia has been a popular character choice for literary works.