Julia Girl
Origin(s)
PronunciationJOO-lee-uh / /ˈdʒuːliə/Latin; Greek
Meaning
Latin: youthful; Greek: downy
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Julia has its roots in ancient Roman culture, deriving from the Latin name "Julius," which is believed to be derived from the Latin word "iuvenalis," meaning "youthful" or "downy." The name was initially a family name in Rome, associated with the prominent Julian clan, which included notable figures such as Gaius Julius Caesar. The feminine form, Julia, emerged in the Roman context, becoming popularized through various historical figures and literary references. The transition of the name into English occurred through the influence of the Norman Conquest in the 11th century, when Latin and Norman French names began to permeate the English language.
Throughout history, Julia has been borne by several significant figures, including Julia Domna, a Roman empress of the 3rd century, who was known for her political influence and intellectual pursuits. The name also appears in classical literature, notably in Shakespeare's works, where characters named Julia embody various traits, from romantic to strong-willed. The name's presence in the Christian tradition is marked by Saint Julia of Carthage, a martyr from the 3rd century, further embedding the name within the cultural and religious fabric of Europe.
Culturally, Julia has been associated with notions of youthfulness and femininity, often symbolizing grace and elegance. The name has various diminutive forms, such as Julie and Juliette, which have also found their place in different languages and cultures. The enduring appeal of Julia can be attributed to its classical roots and the positive connotations associated with its meaning, allowing it to maintain a lasting presence in various societies throughout history.
Trend Summary
Julia has consistently been a popular name in the United States, maintaining a steady presence in the top 100 names for girls over the decades.
Similar Names
Variants
- Juliet
- Julianna
- Jule
International Variants
- Giulia (Italian)
- Yuliya (Russian)
- Juliette (French)
- Juli (Spanish)
Famous people named Julia
Julia Roberts is an actress best known for Pretty Woman, Erin Brockovich, and Ocean's Eleven.
Julia Child is a chef and author best known for Mastering the Art of French Cooking, The French Chef, and her television series.
Julia Louis-Dreyfus is an actress and comedian best known for Seinfeld, Veep, and The New Adventures of Old Christine.
Julia Garner is an actress best known for Ozark, Inventing Anna, and The Assistant.
Julia Stiles is an actress best known for 10 Things I Hate About You, Save the Last Dance, and Dexter.
Fictional characters named Julia
Julia is a fictional character from the novel and film 1984. She is a rebellious woman who engages in a forbidden love affair with the protagonist, Winston Smith.
Julia is a fictional character from the TV series The Beatles. She is the mother of John Lennon and plays a significant role in his early life and musical inspiration.
Sibling Suggestions
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Julia was first seen in the United States in 1880. Julia has ranked as high as #69 nationally, which occurred in 2001, and has been most popular in California, New York, Pennsylvania, Illinois, and Ohio. In the past 5 years the name Julia has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
Top States for Julia (2024)
State | Births | Share |
---|---|---|
CA | 290 | |
TX | 257 | |
FL | 157 | |
NY | 156 | |
PA | 104 | |
NJ | 86 | |
MA | 84 | |
NC | 82 | |
IL | 81 | |
OH | 81 | |
GA | 81 | |
VA | 67 | |
CO | 46 | |
MN | 46 | |
WA | 46 |
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
Year | Births |
---|---|
1880 | 783 |
1881 | 737 |
1882 | 811 |
1883 | 875 |
1884 | 935 |
1885 | 1,062 |
1886 | 1,061 |
1887 | 1,043 |
1888 | 1,292 |
1889 | 1,201 |
1890 | 1,275 |
1891 | 1,200 |
1892 | 1,360 |
1893 | 1,367 |
1894 | 1,320 |
1895 | 1,380 |
1896 | 1,407 |
1897 | 1,380 |
1898 | 1,462 |
1899 | 1,297 |
1900 | 1,766 |
1901 | 1,362 |
1902 | 1,501 |
1903 | 1,447 |
1904 | 1,426 |
1905 | 1,642 |
1906 | 1,603 |
1907 | 1,680 |
1908 | 1,749 |
1909 | 1,931 |
1910 | 2,074 |
1911 | 2,158 |
1912 | 2,825 |
1913 | 3,195 |
1914 | 3,814 |
1915 | 4,831 |
1916 | 5,066 |
1917 | 5,078 |
1918 | 5,268 |
1919 | 4,950 |
1920 | 4,889 |
1921 | 4,737 |
1922 | 4,616 |
1923 | 4,323 |
1924 | 4,289 |
1925 | 4,047 |
1926 | 3,688 |
1927 | 3,586 |
1928 | 3,206 |
1929 | 2,950 |
1930 | 2,880 |
1931 | 2,624 |
1932 | 2,657 |
1933 | 2,403 |
1934 | 2,357 |
1935 | 2,341 |
1936 | 2,278 |
1937 | 2,284 |
1938 | 2,478 |
1939 | 2,635 |
1940 | 2,708 |
1941 | 2,845 |
1942 | 2,905 |
1943 | 2,973 |
1944 | 2,685 |
1945 | 2,327 |
1946 | 2,796 |
1947 | 2,953 |
1948 | 2,776 |
1949 | 2,922 |
1950 | 2,727 |
1951 | 2,748 |
1952 | 2,781 |
1953 | 2,973 |
1954 | 3,157 |
1955 | 3,287 |
1956 | 3,319 |
1957 | 3,689 |
1958 | 3,835 |
1959 | 3,940 |
1960 | 3,789 |
1961 | 3,902 |
1962 | 3,752 |
1963 | 3,570 |
1964 | 3,541 |
1965 | 3,101 |
1966 | 3,046 |
1967 | 2,776 |
1968 | 2,990 |
1969 | 3,714 |
1970 | 3,178 |
1971 | 2,609 |
1972 | 2,334 |
1973 | 2,090 |
1974 | 2,067 |
1975 | 2,003 |
1976 | 1,915 |
1977 | 2,061 |
1978 | 2,594 |
1979 | 2,568 |
1980 | 3,069 |
1981 | 3,668 |
1982 | 3,503 |
1983 | 3,382 |
1984 | 3,359 |
1985 | 3,205 |
1986 | 3,109 |
1987 | 3,331 |
1988 | 3,359 |
1989 | 3,370 |
1990 | 3,913 |
1991 | 5,366 |
1992 | 5,021 |
1993 | 4,663 |
1994 | 4,842 |
1995 | 5,411 |
1996 | 6,314 |
1997 | 7,341 |
1998 | 8,328 |
1999 | 8,752 |
2000 | 8,768 |
2001 | 8,838 |
2002 | 7,965 |
2003 | 7,437 |
2004 | 7,149 |
2005 | 7,088 |
2006 | 6,884 |
2007 | 6,133 |
2008 | 5,619 |
2009 | 4,996 |
2010 | 4,677 |
2011 | 4,350 |
2012 | 3,880 |
2013 | 3,753 |
2014 | 3,605 |
2015 | 3,375 |
2016 | 3,344 |
2017 | 3,124 |
2018 | 3,008 |
2019 | 2,787 |
2020 | 2,508 |
2021 | 2,433 |
2022 | 2,543 |
2023 | 2,297 |
2024 | 2,359 |