Lucy
Lucy is a girl's name of Latin origin.
Meaning
Light or born at dawn.
Origin and history
Lucy is an English form derived from the Latin name Lucia, which stems from the word 'lux', meaning light. Historically popular in English-speaking regions, it has consistently served as a traditional yet accessible classic. In the U.S., it remains very popular for newborn girls, ranking among the top 50 female names in recent years.
Popularity in the United States
236,969 babies in the United States have been named Lucy since 1880. It ranks #171 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #39.
States where it is most popular
- NY (8.8 %)
- CA (7.7 %)
- TX (6.7 %)
- PA (5 %)
- NC (4.5 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 7,520 |
| 1890-1900 | 10,323 |
| 1900-1910 | 11,020 |
| 1910-1920 | 23,117 |
| 1920-1930 | 27,434 |
| 1930-1940 | 16,413 |
| 1940-1950 | 13,128 |
| 1950-1960 | 13,644 |
| 1960-1970 | 8,671 |
| 1970-1980 | 3,700 |
| 1980-1990 | 4,727 |
| 1990-2000 | 6,090 |
| 2000-2010 | 19,399 |
| 2010-2019 | 42,024 |
| 2020-2029 | 29,759 |
Famous people named Lucy
- Lucy Liu: Actress, Producer
- Lucy Lawless: Actress, Musician
- Lucy Maud Montgomery: Author, Novelist
Nicknames
Lu, Luce, Lulu
Fun facts
- Lucy derives from the Roman name Lucius or Lucia, historically given to babies born at daybreak.
- The famous 3.2-million-year-old hominin specimen discovered in 1974 was named 'Lucy' after the Beatles song 'Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds'.
- The name reached iconic status in U.S. pop culture through Lucille Ball's beloved character in the classic sitcom 'I Love Lucy'.