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 name among American girls.

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Origin HighLatin

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

U.S. rank (2025)#131 ↘ Falling

2025 U.S. births2,172 girls (0.14% of U.S. girls)

Peak year2001

Total births (all-time)≈ 476,226

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

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…

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

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

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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.