Name of the Day: Lucia
We love Lucy. And yes, we do think it could stand alone as a given name, especially with a longer surname. But there are a wealth of formal names that lead to that sassy appellation. Today’s Name of the Day is one worthy of consideration. Thanks to Natalie for suggesting Lucia.
If you look at Lucia and wonder how to say it, you’re not alone. Those five letters have three perfectly valid pronunciations: loo CHEE uh, the one favored by ApMtn’s Southern Italian contingent; the more mellifluous loo SEE ah and the contracted, two-syllable loo SHAH. Since the name is in use from Argentina to Sweden, you’re perfectly free to choose the sound that best suits your roots – and personal naming style.
Saint Lucia was a fourth-century martyr. Should you find yourself regarding an artistic rendering of this notable, it will likely include a rather gruesome element: because her eyes were gouged out prior to her execution, she’s often depicted holding her peepers on a platter. But before that puts you off this pretty name, note that there is a poetic side to her sufferings. Lucia is celebrated on December 13 – the longest night of the year until modern calendar reforms moved it forward. Today, it’s still quite the holiday in Scandinavia. Beyond the circumstances of her death, Lucia’s given name is related to the Latin word lux, or light, and so the practice is doubly appropriate.
Lucia is also a place name. The Caribbean island St. Lucia is a popular tourist destination. How many girls can boast their own island paradise?
Other notable bearers of the name include Lucia di Lammermoor, the heroine of Donizetti’s opera and the sophisticated, competitive character involved in endless small-town social machinations in EF Benson’s Mapp and Lucia novels.
The name stands up well with current chart-toppers like Sophia and Olivia. And while it is at an all-time popularity high, it is still a relatively uncommon #311 in the US. Head to Spain, however, and it is the single most popular choice for newborn baby girls – nearly 10,000 darling daughters were called Lucia in 2006 alone, leaving the traditional favorite Maria a distant second.
So while Lucia may be on the rise, for now it is a name rich with history and legend, and only occasionally heard on our shores.
Filed under: Names for Girls, Names of the Day, Saints | 6 Comments
Tags: Lucia, Lucy
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Recent Comments
Aww, I remember dressing up as Santa Lucia and serving my parents breakfast in bed. I totally blame American Girl books for my sudden obsession.
I do love the name, but I’m slightly put off by the fact that it has so many valid pronounciations. I like loo-CHEE-ah the best, and I never liked loo-SHA or loo-SHEE-ah much. Call me weird, I guess.
It’s a really cute name, and it would be nice to hear Lucy be short for something. Lucy sounds like a nickname to me. I prefer it being short for Lucinda, personally.
No way! I used to *beg* to be allowed to wear the wreath of candles on my head, but my parents were kinda funny about flaming headpieces on their gangly adolescent daughter.
Names that don’t have a clear pronunciation make me nervous, too. And I’m not sure how I feel about that grisly eyeball gouging business. So Lucia wouldn’t make my personal Top Ten … but I think it would make a good alternative for parents considering Sophia. Or trying to name her little sister.
Yeah! My wreath was all saaaaafe. It had a battery pack in it that powered lightbulbed candles. Nice and safe for gangly ten year olds, I guess.
I think that brothers of any Lucia would have a blast with the eyeball thing, but I find it an iffy kind of choice for a child, too. It is a very nice alternative for so many of the hyperpopular names out there.
A battery pack! Sorry, but I’m laughing. Lots. I can’t decide if that’s hugely clever or just crazy. Must be a little bit of both.
I wonder if Lucienne might be another option for a formal name to get to Lucy, or if that’s a bit too French-fried?
I love this name. My preferred pronunciation is “LOO-sha”, but in order to get my husband to consider it I had to compromise and say “Loo-SEE-a”. He likes the name Lucy, but I refuse to put Lucy on a birth certificate. So this is my compromise.
I’m not too worried about the eyeball gouging story. I knew about St. Lucia but made it all the way to 35 without ever hearing the grisly details, so hopefully not many people will know them either.
Also, we have a Spanish sounding last name (though it has been Americanized for many years), and I like the idea of choosing a vaguely Spanish-sounding name.
I think this name is beautiful and cool, for obvious reasons… my family says “Loo-SEE-a”, and I like when they call me “Loo-SHE-a”. “LOO-sha”, on the other hand…