Felicia Girl
Origin(s)
Pronunciationfeh-LISH-uh / fɛˈlɪʃəLatin; English
Meaning
Latin: happy; fortunate
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Felicia has its roots in the Latin word "felix," which means "happy" or "fortunate." This etymological origin traces back to ancient Rome, where the name was used as a feminine form of Felix. The transition into English occurred through the influence of Latin during the Norman Conquest of England in the 11th century, as Latin was the language of the Church and scholarship, permeating various aspects of English culture and language.
Historically, Felicia has been associated with several notable figures and events. In the early Christian tradition, Saint Felicity, a martyr of the 2nd century, contributed to the name's prominence among Christians. Her story, along with that of her seven sons who were also martyrs, was recorded in various hagiographies, which helped to solidify the name's place in religious contexts. The name appears in various forms in medieval texts and was often used in connection with themes of joy and prosperity, reflecting its Latin roots.
Culturally, Felicia has been embraced in various literary and artistic works, symbolizing happiness and good fortune. The name has been employed in literature, notably in the 19th century, where it often represented characters embodying joy or benevolence. Additionally, diminutive forms such as Feli or Lici have emerged in different cultures, further enhancing the name's appeal. The enduring resonance of Felicia in various contexts underscores its significance as a name associated with positive attributes, making it a lasting choice throughout history.
Trend Summary
Felicia experienced a decline in popularity in the late 20th century but remains a classic name.
Similar Names
Variants
- Felicity
- Feli
International Variants
- Felicia (Spanish)
- Felicie (French)
- Felícia (Portuguese)
Famous people named Felicia
Felicia Day is an actress and writer best known for Buffy the Vampire Slayer, The Guild, and Supernatural.
Felicia Rashad is an actress best known for The Cosby Show, A Raisin in the Sun, and This Is Us.
Felicia Hemans is a poet best known for her works like The Forest Sanctuary, The Siege of Valencia, and Records of Woman.
Fictional characters named Felicia
Felicia Hardy is a fictional character from the Marvel Comics universe. She is known as Black Cat, a skilled cat burglar and occasional ally and love interest of Spider-Man.
Sibling Suggestions
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Felicia was first seen in the United States in 1880. Felicia has ranked as high as #180 nationally, which occurred in 1986, and has been most popular in California, New York, Texas, Illinois, and Florida. In the past 5 years the name Felicia has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
Top States for Felicia (2024)
State | Births | Share |
---|---|---|
NY | 5 |
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
Year | Births |
---|---|
1880 | 7 |
1881 | 8 |
1882 | 9 |
1884 | 12 |
1885 | 5 |
1886 | 14 |
1887 | 9 |
1888 | 14 |
1889 | 11 |
1890 | 9 |
1891 | 9 |
1892 | 9 |
1893 | 7 |
1894 | 10 |
1895 | 25 |
1896 | 11 |
1897 | 17 |
1898 | 16 |
1899 | 18 |
1900 | 20 |
1901 | 21 |
1902 | 23 |
1903 | 24 |
1904 | 18 |
1905 | 24 |
1906 | 24 |
1907 | 36 |
1908 | 38 |
1909 | 32 |
1910 | 34 |
1911 | 50 |
1912 | 64 |
1913 | 78 |
1914 | 79 |
1915 | 141 |
1916 | 110 |
1917 | 132 |
1918 | 125 |
1919 | 112 |
1920 | 101 |
1921 | 121 |
1922 | 134 |
1923 | 106 |
1924 | 104 |
1925 | 111 |
1926 | 91 |
1927 | 127 |
1928 | 90 |
1929 | 103 |
1930 | 78 |
1931 | 59 |
1932 | 86 |
1933 | 93 |
1934 | 90 |
1935 | 62 |
1936 | 88 |
1937 | 101 |
1938 | 114 |
1939 | 99 |
1940 | 101 |
1941 | 87 |
1942 | 116 |
1943 | 110 |
1944 | 109 |
1945 | 98 |
1946 | 108 |
1947 | 138 |
1948 | 145 |
1949 | 127 |
1950 | 155 |
1951 | 161 |
1952 | 205 |
1953 | 268 |
1954 | 289 |
1955 | 340 |
1956 | 468 |
1957 | 581 |
1958 | 601 |
1959 | 834 |
1960 | 1,401 |
1961 | 1,458 |
1962 | 1,609 |
1963 | 1,663 |
1964 | 1,832 |
1965 | 2,191 |
1966 | 2,134 |
1967 | 2,090 |
1968 | 1,935 |
1969 | 2,236 |
1970 | 2,540 |
1971 | 2,809 |
1972 | 2,360 |
1973 | 2,070 |
1974 | 2,041 |
1975 | 2,402 |
1976 | 2,098 |
1977 | 2,219 |
1978 | 1,939 |
1979 | 1,852 |
1980 | 1,723 |
1981 | 1,631 |
1982 | 1,425 |
1983 | 1,505 |
1984 | 1,484 |
1985 | 2,738 |
1986 | 3,084 |
1987 | 2,909 |
1988 | 2,703 |
1989 | 2,750 |
1990 | 2,703 |
1991 | 2,620 |
1992 | 2,092 |
1993 | 1,949 |
1994 | 1,631 |
1995 | 1,351 |
1996 | 1,083 |
1997 | 800 |
1998 | 749 |
1999 | 665 |
2000 | 563 |
2001 | 476 |
2002 | 453 |
2003 | 380 |
2004 | 280 |
2005 | 247 |
2006 | 237 |
2007 | 197 |
2008 | 170 |
2009 | 139 |
2010 | 130 |
2011 | 157 |
2012 | 151 |
2013 | 116 |
2014 | 87 |
2015 | 76 |
2016 | 49 |
2017 | 45 |
2018 | 38 |
2019 | 39 |
2020 | 25 |
2021 | 30 |
2022 | 40 |
2023 | 38 |
2024 | 31 |