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Lucy Girl

Popularity: #34 · Trend: ↗ Rising

Origin(s)

PronunciationLOO-see / /ˈluːsi/

Latin; English

Meaning

Latin: light; English: derived from the Latin

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Lucy is derived from the Latin name "Lucia," which is rooted in the word "lux," meaning "light." This etymological connection emphasizes brightness and illumination, reflecting the name's association with clarity and enlightenment. The transition from Lucia to Lucy occurred as the name was adopted into Old French as "Lucie" before entering Middle English as "Lucy" in the medieval period. The name's journey into English showcases the influence of Latin on the vernacular languages of Europe, particularly through the spread of Christianity and the Latin liturgy.

Historically, the name Lucy has significant religious connotations, particularly due to Saint Lucy, a Christian martyr who was venerated in the early church. Her feast day is celebrated on December 13, and she is often associated with light, as her name suggests. The earliest references to Saint Lucy date back to the 4th century, and her story was popularized in various hagiographies throughout the Middle Ages. The name gained further prominence through the translation of the Bible into various vernacular languages, including the King James Bible in the early 17th century, where names like Lucy were often retained in their Latin forms.

Culturally, the name Lucy has been imbued with various symbolic meanings, often representing purity, clarity, and hope. In literature and art, Lucy has been depicted in various forms, reinforcing her associations with light and virtue. The name has also inspired numerous diminutive forms, such as "Lucie" or "Luce," which have appeared in different cultures, though the primary form remains prevalent. Overall, Lucy's enduring presence in various cultural and historical contexts underscores its significance as a name that embodies light and virtue.

Trend Summary

Lucy has consistently been a popular name in the United States, ranking within the top 50 names for girls in recent decades.

Similar Names

Variants

  • Lucie
  • Lucia

International Variants

  • Lucie (French)
  • Lucia (Italian)
  • Luzia (Portuguese)
  • Luz (Spanish)

Famous people named Lucy

Lucy Liu is an actress best known for Kill Bill, Charlie's Angels, and Elementary.

Lucy Hale is an actress and singer best known for Pretty Little Liars, Truth or Dare, and A Cinderella Story: If the Shoe Fits.

Lucy Lawless is an actress best known for Xena: Warrior Princess, Spartacus, and Ash vs Evil Dead.

Lucy Ricardo is a fictional character best known as the lead in the television series I Love Lucy.

Lucy Maud Montgomery is an author best known for Anne of Green Gables, Emily of New Moon, and The Story Girl.

Fictional characters named Lucy

Lucy Pevensie is a fictional character from the book series The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis. She is one of the four Pevensie siblings who discovers the magical land of Narnia and plays a crucial role in its adventures.

Lucy van Pelt is a fictional character from the comic strip Peanuts by Charles M. Schulz. She is known for her bossy personality and her role as a psychiatric help provider to Charlie Brown.

Lucy Heartfilia is a fictional character from the manga and anime series Fairy Tail created by Hiro Mashima. She is a celestial spirit mage and one of the main protagonists who seeks to become a great wizard alongside her friends.

Lucy Westenra is a fictional character from the novel Dracula by Bram Stoker. She is a young woman who becomes one of the first victims of Count Dracula, leading to a series of events that drive the plot forward.

Lucy Snowe is a fictional character from the novel Villette by Charlotte Brontë. She is the protagonist who navigates life and love while teaching at a girls' school in Belgium.

Sibling Suggestions

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Lucy was first seen in the United States in 1880. Lucy has ranked as high as #86 nationally, which occurred in 2024, and has been most popular in New York, California, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and Virginia. In the past 5 years the name Lucy has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

Top States for Lucy (2024)

StateBirthsShare
CA 405
8%
TX 388
8%
PA 259
5%
NY 251
5%
OH 243
5%
FL 216
4%
IL 199
4%
GA 176
3%
NC 173
3%
TN 158
3%
CO 157
3%
UT 156
3%
MA 151
3%
WA 150
3%
IN 147
3%

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

YearBirths
1880590
1881611
1882673
1883663
1884787
1885711
1886817
1887811
1888964
1889893
1890973
1891944
18921,057
18931,036
18941,077
18951,016
18961,074
1897984
18981,144
18991,018
19001,246
1901979
19021,065
1903990
19041,086
19051,132
19061,077
19071,152
19081,118
19091,175
19101,283
19111,309
19121,636
19131,856
19142,298
19152,814
19162,877
19172,929
19183,108
19193,007
19203,018
19213,157
19222,977
19233,002
19242,978
19252,766
19262,545
19272,542
19282,321
19292,128
19302,121
19311,827
19321,829
19331,747
19341,647
19351,510
19361,446
19371,450
19381,427
19391,409
19401,382
19411,444
19421,335
19431,316
19441,208
19451,146
19461,236
19471,322
19481,342
19491,397
19501,289
19511,269
19521,415
19531,565
19541,531
19551,404
19561,362
19571,351
19581,252
19591,206
19601,130
19611,086
19621,009
1963935
1964949
1965870
1966754
1967687
1968669
1969581
1970504
1971426
1972415
1973348
1974384
1975326
1976346
1977311
1978291
1979350
1980439
1981434
1982466
1983410
1984426
1985487
1986501
1987505
1988514
1989544
1990551
1991521
1992521
1993524
1994536
1995576
1996647
1997700
1998700
1999815
2000980
20011,041
20021,211
20031,475
20041,642
20051,964
20062,259
20072,571
20083,074
20093,180
20103,634
20113,703
20123,818
20133,948
20144,298
20154,555
20164,604
20174,604
20184,378
20194,476
20204,367
20214,452
20224,444
20234,882
20245,396