Domitila

Meaning & origin

Domitila is a rare but historically layered feminine name of Latin origin, derived from the Roman family name Domitius, meaning 'tamed.' Its first recorded use in U.S. Social Security data is 1888, which also marks its peak year of usage. Since then, the name has followed a stable trajectory with extremely minimal use, and it has not reappeared in modern rankings. In recent years (2025), the number of births is effectively zero, giving it a 1-in-N count of 0. The name carries strong early Christian associations through Saint Domitila, a Roman convert venerated as a martyr. Though it saw modest use among Spanish-speaking communities in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Domitila has never been common in the U.S., with no state ever reporting it among its top names. Parents choosing Domitila today embrace a name with saintly heritage and a softly feminine sound, despite its virtual absence from contemporary registers.

Domitila is a feminine diminutive of the Latin name Domitius, a Roman family name derived from 'domitus' meaning 'tamed.' The name was borne by early Christian martyrs and saints, including Saint Domitila, a 1st-century Roman noblewoman venerated in the Catholic and Orthodox traditions. It has been used historically in Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking countries, often as a devotional name honoring the saint.