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Alicia

♀ Girl

Pronounced uh-LEE-shuh /əˈliː.ʃə/High

Meaning: Latinized form of Alice, from the Old High German name Adalheidis composed of 'adal' (noble) and 'heit' (kind, type), meaning 'noble kind' or 'of noble character'High

In 30 seconds: Alicia is the graceful Latinized form of Alice, meaning 'noble.' Warm and melodic, it has been a consistent favorite across English-speaking and Spanish-speaking communities for its timeless elegance.
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Origin HighGerman, Latin
MeaningLatinized form of Alice, from the Old High German name Adalheidis composed of 'adal' (noble) and 'heit' (kind, type), meaning 'noble kind' or 'of noble character'
U.S. rank (2025)#460 ↘ Falling
2025 U.S. births672 girls (0.04% of U.S. girls)
Peak year1984
Total births (all-time)≈ 230,776

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 198418812025

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

History & Origin

Alicia is the Latinized form of Alice, derived from the Old High German Adalheidis (composed of adal, noble, and heit, kind or type). Alice became popular in medieval England partly through the widespread use of the name Adelaide. The Latinized Alicia form gave it a more formal, continental character.

Alicia has been used throughout the English-speaking and Spanish-speaking worlds. In the United States it has been a top-200 girls' name for decades, with its Spanish pronunciation (ah-LEE-see-ah) and English pronunciation (uh-LEE-shuh) both in common use. Musician Alicia Keys and actress Alicia Silverstone are among its well-known modern bearers.

Did you know? Alicia Keys — born Alicia Augello Cook — chose to keep her given name as part of her stage name, a musical choice that helped this classic name remain strongly associated with talent, artistry, and sophistication.
Overall data confidence 95%
Behind the Name — Alicia — etymology and historyU.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data

Variations

AliceAlyssaAlishaAlissa

Nicknames

AliAllyLicia

Famous Bearers

  • ★Alicia Keys (1981–present)
    American singer-songwriter and multiple Grammy Award winner
  • ★Alicia Silverstone (1976–present)
    American actress known for Clueless

If you like Alicia…

Alice— the core form of the same name with the same noble Germanic root
Alyssa— a phonetic variant of the same name family with similar appeal
Elicia— shares the same noble root and the flowing -icia ending
Natalia— shares the three-syllable Latin structure and the same feminine elegance

Frequently Asked

What does Alicia mean?

Alicia means 'noble' or 'of noble kind,' from the Old High German Adalheidis composed of 'adal' (noble) and 'heit' (kind, type).

How do you pronounce Alicia?

In English, Alicia is pronounced uh-LEE-shuh /əˈliː.ʃə/ — three syllables with stress on the second. In Spanish it is ah-LEE-see-ah, four syllables.

Is Alicia different from Alice?

Alicia is the Latinized form of Alice — they share the same meaning and Germanic root but have slightly different sounds and cultural associations.

Is Alicia a popular name?

Yes. Alicia has been in the U.S. top 200 girls' names for decades and is widely used in both English-speaking and Spanish-speaking communities.