Julia

♀ Girl

Pronounced JOO-lee-uh /ˈdʒuː.li.ə/High

Meaning: Youthful; downy-bearded; of the Julian family — feminine of Julius, from Latin Iulius (the Roman clan name)High

In 30 seconds: The Roman feminine form of Julius, meaning 'youthful' or 'of the Julian clan.' Julia has been a perennial classic across Europe for two millennia and remains a beloved top-100 American girls' name.

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Origin HighLatin

MeaningYouthful; downy-bearded; of the Julian family — feminine of Julius, from Latin Iulius (the Roman clan name)

Peak year2001

Total births (all-time)≈ 455,999

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

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

History & Origin

Julia is the feminine form of the Roman family name Julius, from the great Julian clan. The name's original meaning is debated — it may relate to the Latin Iulus (downy-bearded, youthful) or simply denote membership in the Julian gens.

Julia has been in continuous use across Europe since Roman times. In the United States it has been a top-100 girls' name for decades, never falling fully from fashion.

Did you know? Julia Child (1912–2004) single-handedly transformed American home cooking when she introduced French cuisine to U.S. television audiences with The French Chef in 1963.

Variations

JulieGiuliaJuliana

Nicknames

JulesJuli

Famous Bearers

★Julia Child (1912–2004)
American cooking teacher and author who introduced French cuisine to American home cooks through her TV show The French Chef.

If you like Julia…

Lydia— Latin/Greek classic with the same quiet, understated three-syllable elegance

Clara— Latin classic with the same crisp, bright timeless femininity

Audrey— two-syllable vintage classic with the same graceful enduring appeal

Eleanor— three-syllable vintage classic with the same wide-ranging European grace

Frequently Asked

What does the name Julia mean?

Julia is the Roman feminine form of Julius, from the ancient Julian clan. It is often interpreted as meaning 'youthful' or 'downy-bearded.'

How do you pronounce Julia?

It is said JOO-lee-uh /ˈdʒuː.li.ə/ — three syllables, stress on the first.

Is Julia a boy or girl name?

Julia is used exclusively as a girl's name; Julius is the male form.

How popular is Julia?

Julia has been a consistent U.S. top-100 girls' name for many decades.