Name of the Week

01/10/2011

Name of the Week

An ancient place name, biblical name, and post-Reformation favourite
with the popular -ia ending.

Origin:

Lydia derives from the Greek name Λυδια (Lydia) meaning 'from Lydia.' Lydia was the Greek name for an ancient province in Asia Minor, whose culture and language are lost to history.

Usage:

Lydia was the name of a woman converted to Christianity by Paul in the New Testament. She later became known as St Lydia.

It came into popular use in England in the 17th century and has stayed fairly consistent in popularity throughout the preceeding centuries.

In 2010 the name ranked #107 with 551 births in England and Wales, having dropped out of the Top 100 for the first time since the 1990s.

Famous Bearers:

* St Lydia was one of the first converts to Christianity.
* The Roman Martyrology mentions Lydia, wife of senator Philetus, who were both martyred in Illyria under Hadrian.
* Lydia Kamakaeha Pākī was the last reigning monarch of the Kingdom of Hawaii.
* Lydia Becker was a leader in the early British suffrage movement.
* Lydia Thompson was a 19th century leading dancer and theatrical producer on the London stage, credited with indroducing burlesque to America.
* Lydia Emilie Florentine Jannsen was a 19th century Estonian poet.