Find out how popular the first name Ludmila has been for the last 23 years (from 2001 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Ludmila by gender

Based on the last 23 years of data, Ludmila is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 7 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Ludmila.

The history of the first name Ludmila

The name Ludmila has its origins in the Slavic languages and can be traced back to the 9th century AD. It is derived from the Old Slavic words "ludъ" meaning "people" and "milъ" meaning "dear" or "beloved", suggesting the meaning "beloved by the people".

One of the earliest recorded mentions of the name Ludmila is found in the medieval Czech legend of Saint Ludmila, the grandmother of Saint Wenceslaus, the patron saint of Bohemia. According to the legend, Ludmila was martyred around 921 AD for her Christian faith by her pagan daughter-in-law.

The name gained popularity in the Slavic regions of Eastern and Central Europe during the Middle Ages, with several notable historical figures bearing the name. Ludmila Przhevalskaya (1858-1924) was a Russian explorer who accompanied her husband, Nikolai Przhevalsky, on several expeditions to Central Asia.

Another prominent figure was Ludmila Pavlichenko (1916-1974), a Soviet sniper during World War II who was credited with 309 confirmed kills, making her one of the deadliest female snipers in history. She was awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union for her bravery and skill.

In the realm of literature, Ludmila Petrushevskaya (born 1938) is a renowned Russian writer and playwright, known for her short stories and plays that explore the lives of ordinary Russians during the Soviet era.

Moving into more recent times, Ludmila Tchérina (1924-2004) was a French ballet dancer and choreographer of Russian descent, who was a principal dancer with the Ballets Russes de Monte Carlo and later became the artistic director of the Paris Opera Ballet.

These are just a few examples of notable individuals throughout history who have borne the name Ludmila, a name that continues to be popular in Slavic cultures and has gained recognition worldwide.

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

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

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