Baby Name of the Day: Lucia

The baby name Lucia combines the sounds of current favorites like Sophia and Luna. No surprise it’s why it’s racing up the popularity charts.

Thanks to Natalie for suggesting our Baby Name of the Day.

WHAT DOES THE NAME LUCIA MEAN?

In simplest terms, the baby name Lucia is the feminine form of Lucius. That gives the name ancient roots. Lucius comes from the Latin word lux, meaning light. 

It’s popular across many generations, worn by plenty of notable figures, including three three popes Lucius. 

SAINT LUCIA

Speaking of light, Saint Lucia is a significant figure in Sweden today. Even if you’re not religious at all, her image might appeal. 

First, her backstory:

Saint Lucia of Syracuse met her death as a martyr during the 300s. 

It’s a familiar story for a Christian saint. At a time when her religion was persecuted, Lucia rejected a suitor in order to pursue her faith. In retaliation, he turned her into the authorities. Along with many other Christians, Lucia was executed in the early 300s.

Her feast day is observed on December 13th. That’s about a week before the winter solstice, the shortest day of the year. The symbolism of candles and light feels especially significant.

LUCIA IN SWEDEN

In Sweden, the celebration is a significant part of the winter holidays.

A girl wearing a wreath of candles plays the part of Saint Lucia, and leads a procession of singers. Traditional sweets and drinks are associated with the day.

While it feels like something out of the Middle Ages, the current tradition seems more tied to the early 20th century. And while it has its roots in the saint’s feast day, it’s celebrated as more of a secular observance by many in modern Sweden.

That does make the romance language Lucia a possible Swedish heritage choice.

HOW DO YOU PRONOUNCE LUCIA?

The baby name Lucia can be pronounced at least three ways:

• Italians tend to say loo-CHEE-uh.
• But loo-SEE-uh works, and is preferred in Spanish. 
• And lots of people, especially in English, opt for loo-sha. 

There’s no wrong way to say the name.

If anything, that challenge highlights one of the baby name Lucia’s strengths: it’s a truly international name. 

ON THE MAP

From Sweden to the Caribbean, you might also associate the baby name Lucia with an island.

Located in the Lesser Antilles, legend tells that a group of shipwrecked French sailors washed ashore on – you guessed it – December 13th. They called the island Sainte Lucie, in honor of her feast day.

As it happens, Saint Lucia is the only country in the world named after a historical woman.

OPERA AND BEYOND

Next, let’s go to Scotland.

Gaetano Donizetti set his 1835 opera Lucia di Lammermoor in a fictional version of Scotland. Probably because all things Scottish were trending at the time.

The story of a romance gone wrong, it echoes Romeo-and-Juliet, with tragedy to spare. Donizetti based his story on an earlier work by Sir Walter Scott, which had roots in real-life events.

A few more real and fictional figures include:

• The sophisticated, competitive character involved in endless small-town social machinations in EF Benson’s Mapp and Lucia novels.
• Ballerina Lucia Chase, who went on to co-found the American Ballet Theater in 1939.
• Mexican singer Lucía won the 2022 Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition, and actress and singer Lucía Méndez has been a presence in Mexico since the 1970s. 
• Queen Lucia reigns in Disney channel series Elena of Avalor.
• A handful of video game characters.

Also worth noting: the baby Lucia has been a favorite with celebrities in recent years. Irish novelist James Joyce named his daughter Lucia way back in 1907. Lucia was born while her parents were living in Trieste, Italy. 

Fast-forwarding to the 21st century:

• Actress Mira Sorvino gave the name to her youngest child.
• Giovanni Ribisi gave this lovely name to his daughter, too. 
• Screen legend Sofia Loren has a granddaughter named Lucia, the daughter of her son Edoardo Ponti and actress Sasha Alexander. 

HOW POPULAR IS THE BABY NAME LUCIA?

The baby name Lucia appears in the US Top 1000 every year from 1880 onward. Most years, it hovered around the 500 mark. It was a little more popular in the late nineteenth century, and somewhat less in the 1970s.

But the name has climbed since early in the 21st century. Credit three factors:

• We’re all about long, lovely, and liquid girl names. If Olivia and Sophia top popularity charts, Lucia can’t be too far behind.
• It became the #1 name for girls in Spain, and popular across the Spanish-speaking world.
• Lucy and Luna rank in the current US Top 100, and classics like Louise, Louisa, and Lucille are more popular than ever. Safe to say that Lu and Luce names are having a moment, along with anything that shortens to Lulu, like Eloise and Tallulah.

As of 2024, the name reached #98 – a new high, marking the name’s debut in the US Top 100.

RISING FAVORITE

The baby name Lucia succeeds on sound and meaning, a traditional name whose time has come. With ties to a Christian marytr and a favorite opera, pop culture and Swedish tradition, there’s lots to love about this romantic, traditional choice. 

If you’re looking for an all-out beautiful name that hits the familiar/not too chart-topping sweet spot, Lucia might belong on your shortlist. 

Would you consider the baby name Lucia? Which pronunciation do you like best?

First published May 27, 2008, this post was revised substantially on July 13, 2020 and October 17, 2025.