Felicia is a feminine given name of Latin origin. It comes from the Latin word "felix", which means "happy" or "lucky". The name Felicia is composed of the prefix "fe-" meaning "to make" and "-lixia" meaning "happiness". Therefore, Felicia literally translates to "she who brings happiness".
The name Felicia has been in use since the Middle Ages, but it was not particularly popular until the 20th century. In the United States, for example, Felicia became a popular choice among parents during the late 1980s and early 1990s, peaking at its highest popularity ranking of number 365 in 1990.
Felicia has been associated with several notable figures throughout history. One famous bearer of the name is Felicia Dorothea Hermine Augustus of Anhalt-Dessau (1746-1827), a German princess who became the wife of Frederick William II, King of Prussia. Another notable figure is Felicia Skene (1905-1997), a Canadian writer and humanitarian who was known for her works on social issues and women's rights.
Today, Felicia continues to be used as a given name for girls around the world, although its popularity has declined since the 1990s. It remains a timeless choice for parents seeking a unique yet meaningful name for their daughter.
The name Felicia has seen a significant rise and fall in popularity over the past century in the United States. In the late 19th century, there were fewer than 15 births per year with the name Felicia, with the exception of a peak at 25 births in 1895.
However, the early 20th century saw a steady increase in popularity for the name Felicia, reaching a high of 141 births in 1915. This trend continued until the mid-1960s, with peaks of over 2,000 births per year between 1969 and 1971.
The late 1970s and early 1980s saw a decline in popularity for the name Felicia, but it remained relatively stable throughout the rest of the century, with around 1,500 to 2,500 births per year.
However, since the turn of the millennium, there has been a significant decrease in the use of the name Felicia. In recent years, there have been fewer than 50 births per year with the name Felicia, reaching an all-time low of 25 births in 2020 and 30 births in 2021.
Overall, while Felicia was once a popular choice for parents in the United States, its popularity has declined significantly in recent decades. Despite this decline, it remains a classic name with a rich history.