Find out how popular the first name Felix has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Felix by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Felix is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 99% of people named Felix being male.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 1,894 male babies and 7 female babies born with the name Felix.

Yes—according to the SSA data, 7 baby girls were named Felix in 2023, despite it being a predominantly male name. We'd love to know why!

The history of the first name Felix

The name Felix has its origins in the Latin language, where it was derived from the Latin word "felix," meaning "happy" or "lucky." The name can be traced back to ancient Roman times, and it was a popular name among the Roman nobility and upper classes.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Felix can be found in the New Testament of the Bible, where a Roman governor named Felix appears in the Book of Acts. This Felix is mentioned as the governor of Judea from around 52-60 AD.

Another notable figure bearing the name Felix was Pope Felix I, who reigned as the Bishop of Rome from 269 to 274 AD. He is venerated as a saint in the Catholic Church and is remembered for his efforts to maintain unity and discipline within the church during a period of persecution.

In the Middle Ages, the name Felix gained popularity across Europe, particularly in regions with strong ties to the Roman Empire or the Catholic Church. One notable bearer of the name during this period was Felix Fabri, a Dominican friar and renowned traveler who lived from 1441 to 1502. He is best known for his detailed accounts of his travels to the Holy Land and other parts of the Middle East.

During the Renaissance period, the name Felix was associated with humanist scholars and artists. One of the most famous figures of this time was Felix Mendelssohn, a German composer, pianist, and conductor who lived from 1809 to 1847. His works, including the "Scottish Symphony" and the "Violin Concerto in E minor," have become beloved classics in the Western classical music tradition.

Another notable Felix from the modern era was Felix Frankfurter, an Austrian-born American lawyer and jurist who served as an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States from 1939 to 1962. He was a influential figure in shaping American jurisprudence and played a pivotal role in several landmark cases.

Other famous individuals named Felix throughout history include Felix Baumgartner, an Austrian skydiver known for his record-breaking freefall jump from the stratosphere in 2012; Felix Salten, an Austrian writer best known for his children's novel "Bambi"; and Felix Hernandez, a Venezuelan professional baseball pitcher who played for the Seattle Mariners in Major League Baseball.

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 Felix was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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