A 1930s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Lucila since 1914
Babies named Lucila per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1982, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Lucila's real moment was 1934.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1910s | 24 |
| 1920s | 131 |
| 1930s | 154 |
| 1940s | 183 |
| 1950s | 259 |
| 1960s | 273 |
| 1970s | 286 |
| 1980s | 331 |
| 1990s | 301 |
| 2000s | 242 |
| 2010s | 170 |
| 2020s | 129 |
Meaning & origin
Lucila is a name that has been in steady but modest use in the United States since at least 1914, with its peak popularity occurring in 1934. After a period of decline, it has been rising in usage since 2017, reflecting a broader trend toward vintage and romantic-sounding Spanish and Italian names. In the most recent year, approximately 1 in 67,000 girls were named Lucila, and it has been recorded most frequently in California. The name carries a luminous meaning and offers a softer alternative to the more common Lucia or Lucía.
Lucila is a Spanish and Italian diminutive of Lucia, which derives from the Latin masculine name Lucius, from 'lux' meaning light. The name was borne by early Christian saints, including Saint Lucia of Syracuse, and has been used throughout the Romance-speaking world. In Spanish-speaking countries, Lucila gained popularity in the 19th and early 20th centuries, partly due to the Argentine poet Alfonsina Storni's daughter.
Where Lucila is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Luci, Lula, Cila
Variants: Lucilla, Lucília
Sibling names for Lucila
Names that share Lucila's style, for a brother or sister.
