Home › Baby Names Directory › Lydia

Lydia

♀ Girl

Pronounced LID-ee-uh /ˈlɪd.i.ə/High

Meaning: Woman from Lydia; the ancient region of western Asia Minor, known for beauty and wealthHigh

In 30 seconds: A name from the ancient Greek region of Lydia in western Asia Minor — the land of King Croesus and the first coinage. It also appears in the New Testament and has been a beloved English classic.
💕 Browse more names
Origin HighGreek, Latin
MeaningWoman from Lydia; the ancient region of western Asia Minor, known for beauty and wealth
Peak year2014
Total births (all-time)≈ 163,869

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 201418802017

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

History & Origin

Lydia comes from the Greek word for a woman from Lydia, the prosperous kingdom of western Asia Minor famous in antiquity for its wealth (Croesus was king of Lydia) and for inventing coinage. In the New Testament Lydia is a cloth merchant converted by Paul.

Lydia became popular in England in the 17th and 18th centuries, partly through Biblical use. Jane Austen's playful character Lydia Bennet in Pride and Prejudice kept it in the cultural consciousness. It has staged a strong modern revival.

Did you know? Lydia of Thyatira, mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles, was a dealer in purple cloth and one of the first European converts to Christianity — possibly the first European Christian.

Variations

LidiaLydie

Nicknames

LiddyDia

Famous Bearers

  • ★Lydia (New Testament) (1st century AD)
    Early Christian convert and patron of the Apostle Paul, described as a dealer in purple cloth.

If you like Lydia…

Cora— short vintage Greek name with the same quiet classical revival
Julia— Latin classic with the same crisp three-syllable timeless femininity
Clara— bright Latin classic with the same vintage-revival profile

Frequently Asked

What does the name Lydia mean?

Lydia means 'woman from Lydia,' the ancient region of western Asia Minor known for wealth and beauty.

How do you pronounce Lydia?

It is said LID-ee-uh /ˈlɪd.i.ə/ — three syllables, stress on the first.

Is Lydia a boy or girl name?

Lydia is used exclusively as a girl's name.

How popular is Lydia?

Lydia has been climbing the U.S. charts and now ranks among the top 100 girls' names.