Name of the Week

 

A dignified name that has the slick 'x' ending and upbeat meaning.

Origin:

From the Latin felix "happy, lucky, blessed" used as a cognomen, or nickname, by the Romans.

Usage:

The name Felix was very popular among early Christians. Not only does this name appear in the New Testament, it also has the distinction of being borne by no less than 44 saints and 3 popes. It was used in Britain in the Middle Ages, though it was never as popular as the feminine form Felicia, or used as much in Britain as the rest of Europe.  The Victorians, with their love of the medieval and rise of the Tractarian movement which dug up long lost saints names, revived the name somewhat.  In the 20th century Felix never broke into the Top 100. In 2010 however the name ranked just below at #122 with 511 births in England and Wales. Its usage has been increasing each year, from #143 (354 births) in 2005 and #145 (270 births) back in 2001.

Famous Bearers:

* In the New Testament, Felix appears as Marcus Antonius Felix, procurator of Judea. * Forty-four saints bore the name Felix, including Saint Felix of Cornwall, who was said to have been able to communicate with lions and cats.  * Felixstowe in East Anglia is named after St Felix of Burgundy, first bishop of the East Angles. * Three popes, and two anti-popes bore the name Felix.  * Felix Mendelssohn (1809–1847) was a notable German composer. * Felix Hausdorff (1868–1942) was a German mathematician, considered to be the founder of topology.  * Felix Hoffmann (1868–1946) was the inventor of aspirin.  * Felix Bloch (1905–1983) was a Swiss physicist and Nobel Prize winner.  * Prince Felix of Denmark (b.2002) is the son of Prince Joachim of Denmark.

Variants:

Félix (French, Spanish, Portuguese) Feliks (Polish, Russian, Slovene) Phelix (Biblical Greek)

Pronunciation:

FEE-lix [key]

Possible Diminutives:

Eli, Leif, Lex

Sibling Names:

Tabitha     Aurelia     Hebe    Cecilia     Mercy     Helena  Hugo     Rufus     Linus      Jasper     Oscar      Lionel

Name Lists:

Vintage   Upright Elegance   Victorian Darlings   Saintly & Stylish   Popular Biblical   Resonant Roman   Harry Potter

 

If you like Felix you may also like:   Maxim, Philo, Fabian, Cassius, Lucian, Anton, Julius, Falco, Quentin, Phineas