A 1900s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Lucile since 1880
Babies named Lucile per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1917, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Lucile's real moment was 1908.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 701 |
| 1890s | 2,412 |
| 1900s | 4,566 |
| 1910s | 11,738 |
| 1920s | 9,314 |
| 1930s | 2,913 |
| 1940s | 1,349 |
| 1950s | 708 |
| 1960s | 218 |
| 1970s | 80 |
| 1980s | 54 |
| 1990s | 106 |
| 2000s | 232 |
| 2010s | 314 |
| 2020s | 182 |
Meaning & origin
Lucile, a name of French origin, means 'light' from the Latin 'lux'. It first appeared in U.S. records in 1880 (rank 4987) and peaked in popularity in 1908. After a long decline, it has been rising in use since 1987, with current rarity: 1 in 61,818 births in 2025. The name shares roots with Lucia and Lucy, and its variant Lucille has been more common. Lucile's revival suggests a renewed appreciation for its vintage charm.
Lucile is a French diminutive of Lucie, which derives from the Latin name Lucia, meaning 'light'. It was popularized in English-speaking countries in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, often associated with elegance and refinement.
Where Lucile is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Lucile” around the world
Where Lucile lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
125
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Lucy, Lulu
Sibling names for Lucile
Names that share Lucile's style, for a brother or sister.
