Home › Baby Names Directory › Columbia
Columbia
Pronounced kuh-LUM-bee-ah /kəˈlʌm.bi.ə/Medium
Meaning: From the Latin columba, 'dove,' via Columbus - a poetic personification of America (Columbia) and a place name (the District, rivers, cities). As a given name it reads stately and patriotic; note the place associations.Low
Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data
U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.
SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.
History & Origin
Columbia derives from Latin columba, 'dove,' through Columbus, and became a poetic name for America and many places (the District of Columbia, rivers, cities), which we note. As a given name it reads stately and patriotic - rare in the U.S. (said 'kuh-LUM-bee-ah').
It appears only rarely as a first name. Rare, stately, and poetic.
Variations
Nicknames
Famous Bearers
- Famous bearers coming soon.
If you like Columbia…
Explore names like Columbia
Frequently Asked
What does the name Columbia mean?
Columbia comes from the Latin columba, 'dove' (via Columbus), and personifies America; it is also a place name, which we note.
How do you pronounce Columbia?
It's said kuh-LUM-bee-ah /kəˈlʌm.bi.ə/ - four syllables, stress on the second.
Is Columbia a boy or girl name?
Columbia is used here as a girl's name.
How popular is Columbia?
Columbia is a rare name in the U.S.