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Felicia Girl

Popularity: #919 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Origin(s)

Pronunciationfeh-LISH-uh / fɛˈlɪʃə

Latin; 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)

StateBirthsShare
NY 5
100%

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

YearBirths
18807
18818
18829
188412
18855
188614
18879
188814
188911
18909
18919
18929
18937
189410
189525
189611
189717
189816
189918
190020
190121
190223
190324
190418
190524
190624
190736
190838
190932
191034
191150
191264
191378
191479
1915141
1916110
1917132
1918125
1919112
1920101
1921121
1922134
1923106
1924104
1925111
192691
1927127
192890
1929103
193078
193159
193286
193393
193490
193562
193688
1937101
1938114
193999
1940101
194187
1942116
1943110
1944109
194598
1946108
1947138
1948145
1949127
1950155
1951161
1952205
1953268
1954289
1955340
1956468
1957581
1958601
1959834
19601,401
19611,458
19621,609
19631,663
19641,832
19652,191
19662,134
19672,090
19681,935
19692,236
19702,540
19712,809
19722,360
19732,070
19742,041
19752,402
19762,098
19772,219
19781,939
19791,852
19801,723
19811,631
19821,425
19831,505
19841,484
19852,738
19863,084
19872,909
19882,703
19892,750
19902,703
19912,620
19922,092
19931,949
19941,631
19951,351
19961,083
1997800
1998749
1999665
2000563
2001476
2002453
2003380
2004280
2005247
2006237
2007197
2008170
2009139
2010130
2011157
2012151
2013116
201487
201576
201649
201745
201838
201939
202025
202130
202240
202338
202431