Find out how popular the first name Ercia has been for the last 15 years (from 1975 to 1989) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Ercia by gender

Based on the last 15 years of data, Ercia is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 1989, there were 8 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Ercia.

The history of the first name Ercia

The given name Ercia is believed to have its origins in the ancient Etruscan civilization, which flourished in what is now modern-day Italy. The Etruscans were a distinct culture separate from the Romans, with their own language, customs, and religious practices. The name Ercia is thought to be derived from the Etruscan word "ercia," which translates to "noble" or "highborn."

During the height of the Etruscan civilization, around the 6th to 3rd centuries BCE, the name Ercia was likely used to denote a person of noble or aristocratic lineage. Some scholars suggest that the name may have been associated with the Etruscan goddess of fertility and childbirth, known as Ercia or Ercina.

While there are no definitive historical records or ancient texts that explicitly mention individuals named Ercia from this early period, the name's Etruscan roots suggest it was in use among the elite classes of Etruscan society.

The earliest recorded example of the name Ercia can be traced back to the late Roman Republic period, around the 1st century BCE. An Etruscan noblewoman named Ercia Afinia is mentioned in several Roman historical accounts as a prominent figure in the city of Volsinii, which was then part of the Roman Republic.

Throughout the subsequent centuries, the name Ercia appears sporadically in various historical records and documents from the Italian region. Notable individuals who bore the name include:

1. Ercia Petilia (c. 200 CE), a Roman noblewoman and philanthropist known for her charitable works in the city of Rome.
2. Ercia Tridentina (c. 450 CE), a Christian martyr from the city of Trento, who was persecuted and executed for her faith during the reign of the Ostrogothic King Theodoric the Great.
3. Ercia Della Scala (c. 1270 - 1321), a member of the powerful Della Scala family, who ruled the city-state of Verona during the late medieval period.
4. Ercia Farnese (c. 1530 - 1592), an Italian noblewoman and patron of the arts, who was a prominent figure in the court of the Farnese Dukes of Parma.
5. Ercia Bentivoglio (c. 1580 - 1644), an Italian writer and poet from the city of Bologna, who gained recognition for her poetic works during the Renaissance era.

While the name Ercia has its roots in the ancient Etruscan civilization, it has remained a relatively uncommon name throughout history, primarily used among Italian noble families and aristocratic circles over the centuries.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Ercia was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Ercia, please contact us.

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