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Home › Baby Names Directory › Leticia

Leticia

♀ Girl

Pronounced leh-TEE-thya /le.ˈti.θja/Medium

Meaning: Joy, happinessMedium

In 30 seconds: Leticia is a Spanish name meaning 'joy' and 'happiness'. It is a flowing, celebratory name built around a bright, glad meaning.
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Origin MediumSpanish
MeaningJoy, happiness
U.S. rank (2025)#1707 ↗ Rising
2025 U.S. births120 girls (0.01% of U.S. girls)
Peak year1980
Total births (all-time)≈ 42,980

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 198019162025

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

Leticia is the Spanish form of a name rooted in the idea of gladness, sharing its source with the Latin-derived Letitia. It carries 'joy' or 'happiness' as its plain meaning, making it a warm, optimistic choice. The Spanish spelling gives it a soft, rolling sound.

The name has many cousins across languages, from the English Letitia and the dated Lettice to the shorter Tisha and Lecia, and the American Latisha. Bearers include the Spanish basketball player Leticia Romero.

Did you know? The meaning usually attached to Leticia is 'joy, happiness', and that core idea is what gives the name most of its long-term appeal.
Overall data confidence 78%
Behind the Name - Leticia — etymology, usage, pronunciation, and related formsU.S. Social Security Administration — 2024 popularity rank and count supplied in the batch input CSV

Variations

LatishaTishaLetitiaLetticeLecia

Nicknames

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Famous Bearers

  • ★Leticia Romero (1995–present)
    Female public figure listed on Behind the Name.

If you like Leticia…

Kenia— another Spanish name
Grecia— echoes that soft -ia sound
Alahia— a fellow Spanish choice
Ofelia— shares Leticia's Spanish roots
Cesia— a similarly popular pick

Explore names like Leticia

By themespanish
By meaningJoy

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does the name Leticia mean?

Leticia is usually explained as meaning 'joy, happiness' and is most often linked with Spanish tradition.

How do you pronounce Leticia?

It's commonly said leh-TEE-thya /le.ˈti.θja/.

Is Leticia a boy or girl name?

In this batch and in recent U.S. usage data, Leticia is used as a girl name.

How popular is Leticia?

In 2024, Leticia ranked #1768 in the U.S. for girls, with 114 births recorded.

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