Lydia Name Meaning

Helen Doanna

By Helen Doanna

Lastest Updated June 7, 2024
Home » Baby Names » Lydia Name Meaning

Fact: The ancient region of Lydia, located in modern-day Turkey, was historically significant for being the first to use coined money around the 7th century BCE.

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A Deep Dive

Lydia Overview

Meaning

Beautiful, noble, from Lydia/Persia

Gender

Girl

Origin

Greek

Etymology

Derived from the Greek word “Λυδία” (Lydia), meaning “woman from Lydia,” an ancient region in Asia Minor.

Religion

Christianity

Pronunciation

/ˈlɪdiə/

Popularity

Popular worldwide, especially in English-speaking countries. Recently ranked #96 in the USA in 2023.

Syllable

2 syllables

Length

5 letters

Numerology

6 (Nurturing, Responsible, Balanced)

Name Styles

Classic, Vintage, Cool

Associated Traits

Intelligent, kind, creative, graceful

Spiritual, Religious, or Cultural Significance

Mentioned in the New Testament as the first European convert to Christianity by Paul.

Name Day

May 23 (Estonia), August 3 (Austria), May 20 (Greece), December 3 (Sweden), December 13 (Norway)
A Deep Dive

Lydia Variations in Different Cultures

Popular Variations

Lidia, Lidija, Lydie, Lidka, Lyyti, Lidochka

Common Nicknames

Lyds, Liddy, Dee, Dia, Didi, Lady, Lia, Lids, Lulu, Lizzy, Lyzdie, Lyll

Diminutives

Lydie, Liddy, Lyyti, Lida, Lyda, Lidka

Famous People

  • Lydia Ko
    (New Zealand Golfer)
  • Lydia Hearst
    (American Model and Actress)
  • Lydia Lunch
    (American Musician and Writer)
  • Lydia Night
    (American Rock Singer)
  • Lydia Jacoby
    (American Swimmer)

Pop Culture Icons and Works

  • Lydia Deetz
    ("Beetlejuice," Film)
  • Lydia Martin
    ("Teen Wolf," TV Series)
  • Lydia Bennet
    ("Pride and Prejudice," Novel)
  • Lydia
    ("The Walking Dead," TV Series)
  • Lydia Hillard
    ("Mrs. Doubtfire," Film)

Places

  • Lydia Region
    (Turkey)
  • Baptistery of Saint Lydia
    (Krynides, Greece)
  • Lydia City
    (Minnesota, USA)

What Is the Meaning of Lydia?

The name Lydia means “woman from Lydia/Persia,” referring to an ancient region in Asia Minor, now part of modern-day Turkey. In Greek, it also translates to “beautiful one” or “noble one.” People named Lydia are often seen as kind, creative, and independent​.

What Is the Origin of The Name Lydia?

Lydia originates from the Greek word “Λυδία” (Lydia). It was used to describe women from the region of Lydia in Asia Minor. This name became well-known through Lydia of Thyatira, a businesswoman mentioned in the New Testament, who was the first convert to Christianity in Europe.

Lydia Name Popularity

Popularity Chart of the Name Lydia in the U.S. over the Years

United States flagUnited States#892021#932022#962023
Top 3 Rankings#751883#761882#761887

Annual Statistics Breakdown for Lydia

YearName RankingNumber of BirthsBirth Rate (%)
202396
(-3 from 2022)
2716
(-96 from 2022)
0.15527
202293
(-4 from 2021)
2812
(-114 from 2021)
0.15683
202189
(+6 from 2020)
2926
(+126 from 2020)
0.16332
202095
(-1 from 2019)
2800
(-213 from 2019)
0.15840
201994
(-5 from 2018)
3013
(-197 from 2018)
0.16421
201889
(-4 from 2017)
3210
(-128 from 2017)
0.17261
201785
(-5 from 2016)
3338
(-283 from 2016)
0.17669
201680
No change from 2015
3621
(+110 from 2015)
0.18705
201580
(+4 from 2014)
3511
(-140 from 2014)
0.17997
201484
(+11 from 2013)
3651
(+391 from 2013)
0.18663
201395
No change from 2012
3260
(+87 from 2012)
0.16912
201295
(+1 from 2011)
3173
(+84 from 2011)
0.16360
201196
(+14 from 2010)
3089
(+252 from 2010)
0.15942
2010110
(+7 from 2009)
2837
(+8 from 2009)
0.14469
2009117
(+3 from 2008)
2829
(-44 from 2008)
0.13970
2008120
(+4 from 2007)
2873
(+102 from 2007)
0.13793
2007124
(+6 from 2006)
2771
(+104 from 2006)
0.13092
2006130
(-11 from 2005)
2667
(-116 from 2005)
0.12758
2005119
(+7 from 2004)
2783
(+152 from 2004)
0.13712
2004126
(+1 from 2003)
2631
(-12 from 2003)
0.13039
2003127
(+10 from 2002)
2643
(+136 from 2002)
0.13173
2002137
(+3 from 2001)
2507
(+144 from 2001)
0.12694
2001140
(+7 from 2000)
2363
(+43 from 2000)
0.11929
2000147
(+1 from 1999)
2320
(+132 from 1999)
0.11625
1999148
(+5 from 1998)
2188
(+117 from 1998)
0.11239
1998153
(+7 from 1997)
2071
(+134 from 1997)
0.10683
1997160
(+13 from 1996)
1937
(+124 from 1996)
0.10145
1996173
(-4 from 1995)
1813
(+54 from 1995)
0.09456
1995169
(+19 from 1994)
1759
(+156 from 1994)
0.09154
1994188
(+18 from 1993)
1603
(+183 from 1993)
0.08223
1993206
(-5 from 1992)
1420
(+6 from 1992)
0.07203
1992201
(+13 from 1991)
1414
(+36 from 1991)
0.07054
1991214
(-10 from 1990)
1378
(-28 from 1990)
0.06777
1990204
(+13 from 1989)
1406
(+144 from 1989)
0.06844
1989217
(+4 from 1988)
1262
(+88 from 1988)
0.06335
1988221
(-3 from 1987)
1174
(-36 from 1987)
0.06105
1987218
(+11 from 1986)
1210
(+81 from 1986)
0.06456
1986229
(-17 from 1985)
1129
(-91 from 1985)
0.06118
1985212
(+5 from 1984)
1220
(+19 from 1984)
0.06608
1984217
(+22 from 1983)
1201
(+177 from 1983)
0.06660
1983239
(+1 from 1982)
1024
(-27 from 1982)
0.05722
1982240
(+25 from 1981)
1051
(+111 from 1981)
0.05793
1981265
(+22 from 1980)
940
(+78 from 1980)
0.05256
1980287
(+9 from 1979)
862
(+59 from 1979)
0.04841
1979296
(+27 from 1978)
803
(+95 from 1978)
0.04660
1978323
(-12 from 1977)
708
(-57 from 1977)
0.04307
1977311
(-4 from 1976)
765
(+18 from 1976)
0.04650
1976307
(+26 from 1975)
747
(+78 from 1975)
0.04752
1975333
(-17 from 1974)
669
(-53 from 1974)
0.04286
1974316
(+12 from 1973)
722
(+45 from 1973)
0.04610
1973328
(-9 from 1972)
677
(-76 from 1972)
0.04356
1972319
(-4 from 1971)
753
(-91 from 1971)
0.04670
1971315
(-8 from 1970)
844
(-80 from 1970)
0.04816
1970307
(+13 from 1969)
924
(+117 from 1969)
0.05044
1969320
(-20 from 1968)
807
(-56 from 1968)
0.04578
1968300
(-11 from 1967)
863
(-14 from 1967)
0.05048
1967289
(-16 from 1966)
877
(-77 from 1966)
0.05108
1966273
(-10 from 1965)
954
(-125 from 1965)
0.05434
1965263
(-5 from 1964)
1079
(-104 from 1964)
0.05904
1964258
(-12 from 1963)
1183
(-108 from 1963)
0.06044
1963246
(-20 from 1962)
1291
(-120 from 1962)
0.06494
1962226
(-12 from 1961)
1411
(-163 from 1961)
0.06961
1961214
(-9 from 1960)
1574
(-96 from 1960)
0.07578
1960205
(+5 from 1959)
1670
(+109 from 1959)
0.08030
1959210
(-3 from 1958)
1561
(-16 from 1958)
0.07510
1958207
(-1 from 1957)
1577
(-44 from 1957)
0.07634
1957206
No change from 1956
1621
(+76 from 1956)
0.07726
1956206
(-6 from 1955)
1545
(-39 from 1955)
0.07502
1955200
(-3 from 1954)
1584
(+25 from 1954)
0.07901
1954197
(+4 from 1953)
1559
(-1 from 1953)
0.07831
1953201
(+12 from 1952)
1560
(+233 from 1952)
0.08085
1952213
(+12 from 1951)
1327
(+177 from 1951)
0.06977
1951225
(-2 from 1950)
1150
(+23 from 1950)
0.06225
1950223
(-9 from 1949)
1127
(-114 from 1949)
0.06409
1949214
(-5 from 1948)
1241
(+19 from 1948)
0.07069
1948209
(+21 from 1947)
1222
(+172 from 1947)
0.07012
1947230
(+9 from 1946)
1050
(+164 from 1946)
0.05776
1946239
(-15 from 1945)
886
(+30 from 1945)
0.05493
1945224
(+9 from 1944)
856
(+49 from 1944)
0.06359
1944233
(-5 from 1943)
807
(-57 from 1943)
0.05905
1943228
(-3 from 1942)
864
(+10 from 1942)
0.06019
1942225
(+22 from 1941)
854
(+172 from 1941)
0.06142
1941247
(-13 from 1940)
682
(-44 from 1940)
0.05474
1940234
(+4 from 1939)
726
(+46 from 1939)
0.06146
1939238
(+4 from 1938)
680
(+3 from 1938)
0.05996
1938242
(-5 from 1937)
677
(-10 from 1937)
0.05931
1937237
No change from 1936
687
(-1 from 1936)
0.06235
1936237
(+7 from 1935)
688
(+19 from 1935)
0.06385
1935244
(+4 from 1934)
669
(+37 from 1934)
0.06156
1934248
(-11 from 1933)
632
(-36 from 1933)
0.05839
1933237
(+9 from 1932)
668
(+38 from 1932)
0.06386
1932246
(-11 from 1931)
630
(-16 from 1931)
0.05695
1931235
(-2 from 1930)
646
(-41 from 1930)
0.05853
1930233
(-10 from 1929)
687
(-58 from 1929)
0.05890
1929223
(-4 from 1928)
745
(-70 from 1928)
0.06436
1928219
(-2 from 1927)
815
(-61 from 1927)
0.06817
1927217
(+6 from 1926)
876
(+63 from 1926)
0.07085
1926223
(-16 from 1925)
813
(-141 from 1925)
0.06609
1925207
(+7 from 1924)
954
(+42 from 1924)
0.07553
1924214
(-10 from 1923)
912
(-54 from 1923)
0.07039
1923204
(-5 from 1922)
966
(-59 from 1922)
0.07713
1922199
(-2 from 1921)
1025
(-27 from 1921)
0.08216
1921197
(-12 from 1920)
1052
(-66 from 1920)
0.08221
1920185
(+1 from 1919)
1118
(+59 from 1919)
0.08987
1919186
(-7 from 1918)
1059
(-89 from 1918)
0.09016
1918179
(-10 from 1917)
1148
(-32 from 1917)
0.09548
1917169
(-1 from 1916)
1180
(+32 from 1916)
0.10501
1916168
(+1 from 1915)
1148
(+62 from 1915)
0.10574
1915169
(-1 from 1914)
1086
(+247 from 1914)
0.10607
1914168
(-14 from 1913)
839
(+80 from 1913)
0.10532
1913154
(-2 from 1912)
759
(+58 from 1912)
0.11589
1912152
(-10 from 1911)
701
(+133 from 1911)
0.11948
1911142
(+10 from 1910)
568
(+31 from 1910)
0.12856
1910152
(-10 from 1909)
537
(+34 from 1909)
0.12800
1909142
(-2 from 1908)
503
(+4 from 1908)
0.13665
1908140
(-10 from 1907)
499
(-13 from 1907)
0.14075
1907130
(+2 from 1906)
512
(+35 from 1906)
0.15173
1906132
(-9 from 1905)
477
(-41 from 1905)
0.15219
1905123
(-11 from 1904)
518
(-27 from 1904)
0.16717
1904112
(+4 from 1903)
545
(+43 from 1903)
0.18637
1903116
(-4 from 1902)
502
(-33 from 1902)
0.18045
1902112
(-9 from 1901)
535
(+28 from 1901)
0.19085
1901103
(+1 from 1900)
507
(-137 from 1900)
0.19943
1900104
(-7 from 1899)
644
(+78 from 1899)
0.20268
189997
(-9 from 1898)
566
(-111 from 1898)
0.22870
189888
(-5 from 1897)
677
(+35 from 1897)
0.24695
189783
(+8 from 1896)
642
(+62 from 1896)
0.25858
189691
(-6 from 1895)
580
(-76 from 1895)
0.23017
189585
No change from 1894
656
(+38 from 1894)
0.26547
189485
(-4 from 1893)
618
(+20 from 1893)
0.26190
189381
(+12 from 1892)
598
(+76 from 1892)
0.26550
189293
(-7 from 1891)
522
(+15 from 1891)
0.23209
189186
(-8 from 1890)
507
(-69 from 1890)
0.25793
189078
(+5 from 1889)
576
(+80 from 1889)
0.28563
188983
(+2 from 1888)
496
(+24 from 1888)
0.26213
188885
(-9 from 1887)
472
(+24 from 1887)
0.24915
188776
(+11 from 1886)
448
(+56 from 1886)
0.28825
188687
(-10 from 1885)
392
(-12 from 1885)
0.25499
188577
(+3 from 1884)
404
(+35 from 1884)
0.28461
188480
(-5 from 1883)
369
(-9 from 1883)
0.26820
188375
(+1 from 1882)
378
(+36 from 1882)
0.31484
188276
(+1 from 1881)
342
(+43 from 1881)
0.29561
188177
No change from 1880
299
(-3 from 1880)
0.30246
188077
First SSA data recorded
302
First SSA data recorded
0.30941

American States Popularity Rankings for Lydia

(From the Most to Least Popular, Based on Number of Births )

Texas (TX)

Texas (TX) flagTexas (TX)#1442021#1572022#1762023

California (CA)

California (CA) flagCalifornia (CA)#2402021#2332022#2662023

New York (NY)

New York (NY) flagNew York (NY)#1472021#1492022#1662023

Pennsylvania (PA)

Pennsylvania (PA) flagPennsylvania (PA)#452021#532022#392023

Ohio (OH)

Ohio (OH) flagOhio (OH)#452021#412022#632023

Illinois (IL)

Illinois (IL) flagIllinois (IL)#1182021#812022#1072023

Michigan (MI)

Michigan (MI) flagMichigan (MI)#602021#622022#562023

North Carolina (NC)

North Carolina (NC) flagNorth Carolina (NC)#702021#862022#782023

Indiana (IN)

Indiana (IN) flagIndiana (IN)#462021#412022#412023

Florida (FL)

Florida (FL) flagFlorida (FL)#1672021#2112022#1612023

Missouri (MO)

Missouri (MO) flagMissouri (MO)#492021#402022#602023

Wisconsin (WI)

Wisconsin (WI) flagWisconsin (WI)#372021#502022#522023

Georgia (GA)

Georgia (GA) flagGeorgia (GA)#1202021#1202022#1092023

Minnesota (MN)

Minnesota (MN) flagMinnesota (MN)#352021#392022#302023

Virginia (VA)

Virginia (VA) flagVirginia (VA)#862021#902022#1012023

Tennessee (TN)

Tennessee (TN) flagTennessee (TN)#772021#712022#912023

Massachusetts (MA)

Massachusetts (MA) flagMassachusetts (MA)#1222021#1022022#1022023

Louisiana (LA)

Louisiana (LA) flagLouisiana (LA)#1022021#1792022#1022023

New Jersey (NJ)

New Jersey (NJ) flagNew Jersey (NJ)#1872021#3562022#2052023

Kentucky (KY)

Kentucky (KY) flagKentucky (KY)#592021#552022#682023

Arizona (AZ)

Arizona (AZ) flagArizona (AZ)#992021#1422022#1392023

Alabama (AL)

Alabama (AL) flagAlabama (AL)#942021#882022#342023

Washington (WA)

Washington (WA) flagWashington (WA)#892021#1142022#962023

Utah (UT)

Utah (UT) flagUtah (UT)#372021#432022#692023

Colorado (CO)

Colorado (CO) flagColorado (CO)#852021#1192022#632023

South Carolina (SC)

South Carolina (SC) flagSouth Carolina (SC)#812021#1012022#1072023

Maryland (MD)

Maryland (MD) flagMaryland (MD)#1372021#1252022#1182023

Iowa (IA)

Iowa (IA) flagIowa (IA)#292021#422022#392023

Oklahoma (OK)

Oklahoma (OK) flagOklahoma (OK)#1052021#552022#802023

Kansas (KS)

Kansas (KS) flagKansas (KS)#512021#442022#772023

Mississippi (MS)

Mississippi (MS) flagMississippi (MS)#1902021#972022#1292023

Arkansas (AR)

Arkansas (AR) flagArkansas (AR)#862021#842022#1002023

New Mexico (NM)

New Mexico (NM) flagNew Mexico (NM)#2952020#3082021#1192022

Oregon (OR)

Oregon (OR) flagOregon (OR)#1012021#882022#1052023

Connecticut (CT)

Connecticut (CT) flagConnecticut (CT)#1922021#1762022#1312023

West Virginia (WV)

West Virginia (WV) flagWest Virginia (WV)#462021#432022#742023

Nebraska (NE)

Nebraska (NE) flagNebraska (NE)#422021#562022#752023

Maine (ME)

Maine (ME) flagMaine (ME)#232021#342022#482023

Idaho (ID)

Idaho (ID) flagIdaho (ID)#662021#362022#302023

North Dakota (ND)

North Dakota (ND) flagNorth Dakota (ND)#212021#692022#462023

South Dakota (SD)

South Dakota (SD) flagSouth Dakota (SD)#262021#282022#502023

New Hampshire (NH)

New Hampshire (NH) flagNew Hampshire (NH)#932021#462022#512023

Hawaii (HI)

Hawaii (HI) flagHawaii (HI)#1192016#1622018#632023

District of Columbia (DC)

District of Columbia (DC) flagDistrict of Columbia (DC)#1282021#1182022#1612023

Montana (MT)

Montana (MT) flagMontana (MT)#1162021#1192022#642023

Rhode Island (RI)

Rhode Island (RI) flagRhode Island (RI)#1132020#1662022#1212023

Nevada (NV)

Nevada (NV) flagNevada (NV)#1532021#2022022#2482023

Alaska (AK)

Alaska (AK) flagAlaska (AK)#992021#612022#322023

Delaware (DE)

Delaware (DE) flagDelaware (DE)#932021#852022#442023

Vermont (VT)

Vermont (VT) flagVermont (VT)#602020#192021#712023

Wyoming (WY)

Wyoming (WY) flagWyoming (WY)#702020#372021#522022

Popularity Rankings for Lydia in other Countries and American Territories

(From the Most to Least Popular, Based on Rankings)

Popularity in Greenland

Greenland flagGreenland#102018#102019#152020

Popularity in Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland flagNorthern Ireland#1002021#812022#792023

Popularity in Quebec, Canada

Quebec, Canada flagQuebec, Canada#1182020#1322021#2412022

Popularity in Canada

Canada flagCanada#1192021#1212022#1302023

Popularity in New Zealand

New Zealand flagNew Zealand#2642021#1292022#1412023

Popularity in England and Wales

England and Wales flagEngland and Wales#1332019#1362020#1402021

Popularity in Argentina

Argentina flagArgentina#1391938#1791939#1991941

Popularity in Norway

Norway flagNorway#1862021#1442022#1882023

Popularity in Sweden

Sweden flagSweden#1652022#2412023

Popularity in Austria

Austria flagAustria#1842000#1802001#1712004

Popularity in Ireland

Ireland flagIreland#1772021#2542022#3642023

Popularity in France

France flagFrance#1981987#1961988#1961990

Popularity in Scotland

Scotland flagScotland#2362021#2482022#2282023

Popularity in Switzerland

Switzerland flagSwitzerland#2702020#3242021#4202022

Popularity in Germany

Germany flagGermany#3782021#3362022#3552023

Popularity in Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico flagPuerto Rico#3912000#4322001#3682005

Popularity in Poland

Poland flagPoland#4052015#3972016#4912017

Source: Social Security Administration (SSA) and Other National Sources

Is Lydia a Name for Boys or Girls?

Lydia is traditionally a feminine name. It has been used for girls for centuries and remains popular for baby girls today.

Variants, Nicknames, Diminutives, and Ideal Middle Names for Lydia

Lydia in Famous People Names, Pop Culture, and Places

  • Lydia Ko (Golfer, born 1997): A professional golfer from New Zealand, Lydia Ko became the youngest player to be ranked No. 1 in professional golf at age 17.
  • Lydia Hearst (Model and Actress, born 1984): An American model and actress, she is the great-granddaughter of publishing tycoon William Randolph Hearst.
  • Lydia Lunch (Musician and Writer, born 1959): An American singer, poet, writer, and actress known for her work in the no wave and punk music scenes.
  • Lydia Night (Rock Singer, born 2000): The lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist of the California rock band The Regrettes.
  • Lydia Jacoby (Swimmer, born 2004): An American Olympic swimmer who won a gold medal in the 100-meter breaststroke at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
  • Lydia Davis (Novelist, born 1947): An acclaimed American short story writer and novelist, known for her innovative and concise writing style.
  • Lydia Cornell (Actress, born 1953): An American actress best known for her role in the TV sitcom "Too Close for Comfort."
  • Lydia Bright (Reality Star, born 1991): A British television personality famous for her appearances on the reality show "The Only Way Is Essex."
  • Lydia Cabrera (Anthropologist and Writer, 1899-1991): A Cuban anthropologist and poet, she was a significant figure in documenting Afro-Cuban traditions and folklore.
  • Lydia Maria Child (Activist, 1802-1880): An American abolitionist and feminist, she wrote extensively on issues of justice and equality.
  • Lydia Deetz ("Beetlejuice," 1988 Film): A goth teenager who becomes friends with ghosts in her new home.
  • Lydia Martin ("Teen Wolf," 2011 TV Series): A popular girl who discovers she has supernatural powers.
  • Lydia Bennet ("Pride and Prejudice," 1813 Novel): The youngest Bennet sister who elopes with George Wickham.
  • Lydia ("The Walking Dead," 2010 TV Series): A survivor who is part of the Whisperers group and later joins the main protagonists.
  • Lydia Hillard ("Mrs. Doubtfire," 1993 Film): One of the children in the film, coping with her parents' separation.
  • Lydia ("Skyrim," 2011 Video Game): A housecarl in the game who assists the player on their adventures.
  • Aunt Lydia ("The Handmaid's Tale," 1985 Novel): A strict enforcer of the rules in the dystopian society of Gilead.
  • Lydia Wickham ("Pride and Prejudice," 1813 Novel): The frivolous and irresponsible younger sister who marries George Wickham.
  • Lydia Languish ("The Rivals," 1775 Play): A character obsessed with romance novels and marrying for love.
  • "Lydia the Tattooed Lady" (1939 Song): A popular song performed by Groucho Marx in the film "At the Circus."
  • "Lydia" (2015 Song): A song by the American rock band Highly Suspect.
  • Lydia Region (Turkey): An ancient region in western Anatolia with rich history and influence during the Iron Age and classical antiquity.
  • Baptistery of Saint Lydia (Krynides, Greece): A historical site near Kavala where Lydia, the first Christian convert in Europe, was baptized by Apostle Paul.
  • Lydia City (Minnesota, USA): A small city within Scott County, known for its quiet residential neighborhoods and local community events.

Similar Names to Lydia