A 1880s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Lydia since 1880
Babies named Lydia per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 2014, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Lydia's real moment was 1883.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 3,902 |
| 1890s | 5,942 |
| 1900s | 5,242 |
| 1910s | 9,025 |
| 1920s | 9,276 |
| 1930s | 6,664 |
| 1940s | 9,188 |
| 1950s | 14,613 |
| 1960s | 11,709 |
| 1970s | 7,612 |
| 1980s | 11,071 |
| 1990s | 16,991 |
| 2000s | 26,412 |
| 2010s | 32,730 |
| 2020s | 16,662 |
Meaning & origin
Lydia is a name with deep historical roots and a consistent presence in the United States since records began in 1880. Reaching its peak rank of 11th in 1883, the name experienced a decline through much of the 20th century before beginning a steady resurgence in 1987. Today, it sits at rank 92 in 2025, with a frequency of about 1 in every 597 girls. The name is most popular in states such as Wyoming, Vermont, and North Dakota, reflecting a preference for classic, underused names. Lydia's enduring appeal lies in its biblical associations and elegant, feminine sound, making it a favorite among parents seeking a traditional name with a touch of historical prestige.
Lydia is a Greek name referring to an ancient region in western Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey). In the New Testament, Lydia of Thyatira is a woman converted by Paul, often considered the first European Christian convert. The name has been used in English since the Protestant Reformation, and saw particular popularity in the 19th century.
Where Lydia 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.
“Lydia” around the world
Where Lydia lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
95
babies in 2024
Ireland
5
babies in 2025
New Zealand
31
babies in 2025
Quebec
26
babies in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · CSO Ireland (Ireland) · NZ Dept of Internal Affairs (New Zealand) · Retraite Québec (Quebec).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Lyd, Lydie, Liddy
Variants: Lidia
Sibling names for Lydia
Names that share Lydia's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Julia, Emma, Clara, Sophia, Hannah, Cassandra, Elise, Erica, Esther, Madelyn, Margo, Martha, Ruth, Adella, Alaina, Alesia, Althea, Carman, Celene, Celia, Corinna, Damaris, Dawna, Delia, Dorcas, Elida, Harmoni, Lenore, Letha, Marianna, Marlen, Mayra, Melodie, Nedra, Ophelia, Phoebe, Rhoda, Sarai, Selah, Sirena, Vivien, Albina, Ambria, Annah, Avonlea, Betsey, Cassia, Charis, Charissa, Cordia, Dacia, Dorinda, Dyanna, Elanor, Elenora, Elmira, Eudora, Freeda, Glinda, Gwenyth, Idalia, Johannah, Junia, Kalista, Kezia, Lavonia, Leonia, Liddie, Loria, Manda, Minta, Naomy, Nydia, Odelia, Phaedra, Phebe, Pricilla, Rosaline, Stasia, Verena, Vernia, Alinda, Alvia, Annia, Annora, Anthea, Aquilla, Armelia, Auriel, Charmian, Clairissa, Clydia, Corinn, Dalett, Damia, Danea, Daphna, Darcia, Desma, Edelyn, Edrie, Elanie, Ellanora, Ellorie, Euphemia, Fredonia, Helina, Helon, Iridian, Ivorie, Jemimah, Jessamyn, Judea, Kennah, Kesia, Korinna, Kyera, Lanea, Lecia, Leotha, Levina, Levonia, Lindia, Loreta, Lucetta, Lynde, Lynea, Magaline, Malissia, Malissie, Marleah, Maurica, Media, Melida, Melodye, Meriah, Mirtha, Myria, Myrta, Olivea, Otelia, Persis, Raissa, Renia, Roanna, Rosalin, Rozalyn, Saria, Sedonia, Seline, Syliva, Syria, Tabytha, Theora, Thera, Tinia, Toria, Valena, Vivia, Winry, Xandra, Yola, Adalae, Adalida, Adalis, Aldea, Aleatha, Allis, Alphia, Alyria, Anneth, Antha, Apphia, Arabia, Arelia, Arminta, Avalene, Betania, Betha, Bethania, Brenya, Caria, Corinda, Cynthea, Dariah, Dehlia, Deliliah, Denna, Detria, Dilia, Dorcus, Edell, Elanda, Elaria, Eleny, Elesia, Ericha, Eutha, Evania, Evetta, Fedora, Galena, Gwendola, Helayna, Ingris, Isel, Isola, Jolea, Joyanna, Juleah, Kaliann, Klaira, Lauria, Lavora, Lavren, Leara, Leathia, Levia, Leyda, Linnaea, Litha, Lorely, Lucindy, Lyvonne, Manila, Melora, Merrin, Naomia, Natha, Noriah, Norie, Omelia, Prudie, Sabrine, Sharah, Sonyia, Sulamita, Tessia, Thecla, Tyria, Valaree, Valyn, Vayla, Veronia, Abigial, Alyda, Ellawyn, Montia, Ovida, Silvie, Syrina, Adaleena, Adelei, Amillya, Amyria, Armenia, Astryd, Auriah, Catha, Ceria, Clovia, Dabria, Daphyne, Dulcy, Elide, Elvenia, Emireth, Ephrata, Erabella, Eretria, Eustacia, Faydra, Gretna, Hydia, Idelia, Ilynn, Isaly, Jehieli, Jemina, Kabria, Katria, Kordelia, Laurrie, Lemma, Lizbett, Luwanda, Lydiana, Lynia, Maeryn, Marabeth, Mathea, Morticia, Novalea, Nygeria, Odessia, Ophia, Orphia, Pascha, Saphyra, Sarahanne, Sindia, Sophira, Statia, Tabbetha, Tabithia, Tamelia, Tanith, Thursa, Tryphena, Valynn, Viney, Xenovia, Zacaria, Zerah
Brothers: Ethan, Benjamin, Samuel, Noah, James, Adriel, Alton, Caleb, Damon, Dorian, Elias, Marcus, Tobias, Canaan, Casimir, Caspian, Deacon, Eldridge, Finis, Horace, Isael, Kalvin, Laroy, Leander, Misael, Myron, Rome, Titus, Zenon, Alston, Cleon, Colon, Darvin, Daven, Delos, Denzil, Eben, Eliazar, Esdras, Gaspar, Hercules, Jacen, Jafet, Jamin, Julious, Kalib, Ladon, Lucious, Malaki, Orson, Sedric, Sumner, Sylus, Syrus, Talmage, Urban, Zeb, Adonnis, Adrion, Anden, Artemus, Barnabas, Beauregard, Cashius, Cephas, Cephus, Corvin, Cylas, Damein, Demetre, Eliga, Filemon, Hillis, Homar, Irvine, Jerin, Jonael, Jorian, Kerby, Leandrew, Lelon, Leotis, Lerone, Levester, Lucan, Lukus, Nephi, Nickolai, Orlan, Orris, Orvis, Parley, Philemon, Ruffus, Sabin, Stevon, Telvin, Thaddaeus, Thaddius, Thadius, Timon, Tobiah, Ulric, Vestal, Volney, Yulian, Zaccheus, Zenas, Zephan, Aldan, Aldrick, Alwyn, Alyxander, Amish, Asriel, Attikus, Calab, Casmir, Claudis, Cyprian, Dorean, Eathen, Eddrick, Eldor, Eligha, Erastus, Farron, Garet, Gill, Granvil, Helaman, Hezzie, Jarion, Jeremyah, Jesaiah, Kashius, Lanis, Layman, Lehi, Liston, Lonza, Marinus, Maston, Mathius, Mylon, Orest, Oseias, Osias, Othell, Quentyn, Silus, Tabias, Tilian, Tilton, Tymon, Tymothy, Waino, Wylan, Wyland, Zackarie, Zarius, Zebastian, Cashmir, Daemian, Nefi, Nicandro, Savien, Adryen, Aerion, Alroy, Alyus, Aragorn, Audwin, Bion, Clarion, Daemien, Damascus, Domonik, Doryan, Duriel, Edker, Elijan, Elisah, Elius, Elizer, Ellian, Essiah, Etheridge, Felder, Gaelan, Isaul, Jago, Joshual, Juriel, Kalven, Lavin, Leonidus, Lyell, Merric, Midas, Philopateer, Raphel, Timotheus, Toris, Yordin, Zandyr, Zedric, Zerick
Names like Lydia
Names whose popularity has moved with Lydia's over the last 50 years.
