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

Popularity of Leticia by gender

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

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 124 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Leticia.

The history of the first name Leticia

The name Leticia originated from the Latin name Laetitia, which means "joy" or "gladness." It can be traced back to ancient Roman times and was derived from the Latin word "laetus," meaning "joyful" or "happy."

The earliest recorded use of the name Laetitia dates back to the 1st century AD. It was a popular name among Roman aristocratic families and was often given to girls born during times of celebration or happiness.

One of the earliest known bearers of the name was Laetitia, the daughter of the Roman Emperor Vespasian, who ruled from 69 to 79 AD. She was born around 65 AD and was known for her beauty and virtue.

Another notable historical figure with the name Laetitia was Saint Laetitia, a Christian martyr who lived in the 3rd century AD. She was a noblewoman from Spain who was executed for her Christian faith during the persecution of Christians under the Roman Emperor Diocletian.

The name Leticia, a variant spelling of Laetitia, gained popularity during the Middle Ages, particularly in Spain and Portugal. It was a common name among the Spanish and Portuguese nobility and upper classes.

One of the earliest recorded examples of the name Leticia was Leticia de Braganza, a Portuguese princess who lived in the 16th century. She was the daughter of King Manuel I of Portugal and was born in 1515.

In the 17th century, Leticia de la Cueva y Benavides was a renowned Spanish poet and playwright. She was born in 1616 and was known for her works that explored themes of love, passion, and feminism.

Another famous bearer of the name Leticia was Leticia Ramolino, the mother of Napoleon Bonaparte. She was born in 1750 on the island of Corsica and played a significant role in shaping the life and career of her famous son.

In the 19th century, Leticia Casati was an Italian aristocrat and socialite known for her eccentric fashion and lifestyle. She was born in 1882 and was a muse to many artists and writers of her time, including the Italian poet Gabriele D'Annunzio.

The name Leticia has continued to be popular throughout the centuries, with many notable figures bearing the name in various fields, such as literature, arts, and politics.

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

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

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