Lydia
Lydia is a girl's name of Greek origin.
Meaning
Woman from Lydia, or beautiful one.
Origin and history
Lydia is a classic name of Greek origin, historically referring to a woman from the ancient region of Lydia in Asia Minor. It appears in the New Testament as the name of a businesswoman who was Paul's first European convert. In the United States, Lydia has remained a consistently popular and elegant choice for generations, holding a spot among the top 100 female names in recent years.
Popularity in the United States
187,039 babies in the United States have been named Lydia since 1880. It ranks #213 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #96.
States where it is most popular
- TX (9.5 %)
- CA (8.5 %)
- NY (6.7 %)
- PA (6 %)
- OH (5 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 3,902 |
| 1890-1900 | 5,942 |
| 1900-1910 | 5,242 |
| 1910-1920 | 9,025 |
| 1920-1930 | 9,276 |
| 1930-1940 | 6,664 |
| 1940-1950 | 9,188 |
| 1950-1960 | 14,613 |
| 1960-1970 | 11,709 |
| 1970-1980 | 7,612 |
| 1980-1990 | 11,071 |
| 1990-2000 | 16,991 |
| 2000-2010 | 26,412 |
| 2010-2019 | 32,730 |
| 2020-2029 | 16,662 |
Famous people named Lydia
- Lydia Child: author, abolitionist
- Lydia Hearst: model, actress
- Lydia Ko: golfer, athlete
Nicknames
Lydie, Liddy
Fun facts
- The region of Lydia in Asia Minor was famous in antiquity for its vast wealth and as the place where gold coins were first minted.
- Lydia of Thyatira is venerated as a saint in both Catholic and Orthodox traditions for her role in early Christianity.
- Lydia Bennet is a prominent character in Jane Austen's famous 1813 novel Pride and Prejudice.