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Lucy
Pronounced LOO-see /ˈluːsi/High
Meaning: Light; born at dawn or by daylightHigh
Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data
U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.
History & Origin
Lucy is the English form of Lucia, the feminine of the Roman name Lucius, from the Latin lux meaning light. Saint Lucia of Syracuse, a 4th-century martyr associated with light and blindness, spread the name across Catholic Europe in the Middle Ages. It arrived in England via Norman influence and was common throughout the medieval period.
Lucy remained popular in England and its colonies through the 18th and 19th centuries. It declined somewhat in the mid-20th century in the U.S. before staging a strong comeback in the 1990s and 2000s. Today it is prized for its cheerful brevity, literary associations (Lucy in Narnia, Lucy Honeychurch in A Room with a View), and its luminous meaning.
Variations
Nicknames
Famous Bearers
- ★Lucille Ball (1911–1989)American actress and comedian, star of I Love Lucy.
- ★Lucy Worsley (1973–)British historian, author, and television presenter.
If you like Lucy…
Frequently Asked
What does the name Lucy mean?
Lucy is a Latin name meaning 'light,' derived from Lucia and the root lux.
How do you pronounce Lucy?
It's said LOO-see /ˈluːsi/ — two syllables, stress on the first.
Is Lucy a boy or girl name?
Lucy is used almost exclusively as a girls' name in the English-speaking world.
How popular is Lucy?
Lucy has ranked in the U.S. top 50 girls' names in recent years, continuing a strong vintage revival.