Lydia: Name Meaning, Origin, & Popularity

Girl name origins & meanings

What does Lydia mean and stand for?

Meaning:

Greek: From Lydia, a region in Asia Minor; beautiful one
English: Woman from Lydia

Gender: Female

Syllables: 3

Pronunciation: The name Lydia is pronounced lid-ee-uh

The name Lydia has its origins in ancient Greece, named after the region of Lydia in Asia Minor. It is of Greek origin and means "woman from Lydia", Lydia being an ancient island named for King Lydos, near modern Turkey. The name gained popularity due to its mention in the New Testament of the Bible, where Lydia of Thyatira is considered the first European convert to Christianity.

Girl name variations

Lydia in Pop Culture

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

Lydia Bennet from Pride and Prejudice - The youngest Bennet sister, known for her flirtatious and reckless nature.
Lydia Deetz from Beetlejuice - A gothic teenager who becomes friends with ghosts and the mischievous title character.
Lydia Martin from Teen Wolf - A popular high school student who discovers she has supernatural abilities.
Lydia Mertz from Big Fish - Edward Bloom's loyal and loving second wife known for her gentle spirit.
Lydia Rodarte-Quayle from Breaking Bad - A significant character involved in the illegal methamphetamine trade.

Popularity of the Name Lydia

According to Social Security Administration data, Lydia has been a consistently popular name, currently ranking as the 90th most popular baby name for girls in the United States. The name Lydia has historical roots dating back to ancient Greece and is often associated with Lydia of Thyatira, a woman mentioned in the New Testament of the Bible as the first European Christian convert of Saint Paul. However, it only started gaining newfound popularity in the 18th century.

In more recent history, notable people named Lydia include Lydia Maria Child, an American abolitionist and author. Other popular namesakes include Lydia Davis, Lydia Mackay, and Lydia Louisa Anna Very. In popular culture, Lydia has appeared in various media, such as Lydia Deetz, a character from the movie and animated series Beetlejuice, and the novel Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen, where Lydia Bennet is one of the Bennet sisters. Other media appearances include Hotel Translyvania, Mrs. Doubtfire, Teen Wolf, and Breaking Bad, to name a few. The name's literary and cultural presence continues to make it a charming choice for new parents.