Julia Name Meaning, Origin, Popularity, Girl Names Like Julia

Julia Name Origin: Latin
Pronunciation: jule-ee-ah
See what 21 people think about Julia

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Julia Name Meaning

A sweet classic with timeless appeal, Julia is a longtime favorite among parents. Her popularity peaked in the early 2000s, but her dip in usage has made her a standout star again, avoiding the worn feel of some of today’s super popular picks.

She’s unique in sound among the top names, though she does share some in-demand syllables. Her -ia ending is trending hard, appearing in top picks like Amelia, Olivia, and Sophia, yet Julia isn’t nearly as common. She is, of course, a J name as well, a letter that has long been a love of many thanks to its energy.

While a classic, she has the edge over her sisters Julie and Julianne, retaining a modern appeal about her. She does have some longer variants to explore as well like Juliette, Julietta, and Juliana. Her nicknames of Jules and Lia are simply precious, yet she isn’t automatically shortened like Elizabeth or Isabella for those who dislike nicknames.

Julia is also a biblical name, appearing in Romans 16:15 as a woman who Paul sent greetings to. She may not be as major or obvious as Null or Ruth, but she still makes an appearance in the holy book.

Julia readily crosses languages thanks to her Latin roots, though she does have some international variants if you’re looking for something more. Her Italian sister of Giulia shares her sound while her Russian variant Yulia switches things up a bit.

Julia Name Popularity

How popular is the name Julia? Here’s everything we know.

Year	Rank	# Births	% Births
1910	49	2,055	0.5837%
1911	44	2,148	0.5768%
1912	43	2,815	0.5582%
1913	42	3,186	0.5619%
1914	42	3,809	0.5466%
1915	44	4,829	0.5315%
1916	46	5,066	0.5244%
1917	47	5,073	0.5071%
1918	48	5,265	0.4906%
1919	48	4,946	0.4723%
1920	55	4,888	0.4396%
1921	58	4,735	0.4135%
1922	60	4,610	0.4138%
1923	62	4,319	0.3856%
1924	62	4,285	0.369%
1925	65	4,046	0.358%
1926	75	3,680	0.3346%
1927	76	3,574	0.3229%
1928	80	3,202	0.2993%
1929	88	2,939	0.2837%
1930	91	2,866	0.2744%
1931	92	2,611	0.2645%
1932	91	2,653	0.2685%
1933	96	2,378	0.2552%
1934	105	2,336	0.2416%
1935	102	2,334	0.2402%
1936	105	2,265	0.2351%
1937	112	2,263	0.2297%
1938	107	2,458	0.2401%
1939	91	2,626	0.2582%
1940	92	2,692	0.2533%
1941	88	2,842	0.2525%
1942	95	2,895	0.2293%
1943	97	2,958	0.2266%
1944	102	2,677	0.216%
1945	115	2,316	0.1899%
1946	114	2,779	0.1883%
1947	116	2,944	0.1764%
1948	118	2,763	0.1731%
1949	112	2,903	0.1805%
1950	119	2,721	0.169%
1951	127	2,742	0.1617%
1952	131	2,772	0.1588%
1953	124	2,970	0.1678%
1954	127	3,141	0.1718%
1955	131	3,275	0.178%
1956	130	3,317	0.1756%
1957	122	3,680	0.1912%
1958	119	3,829	0.2026%
1959	116	3,936	0.2072%
1960	122	3,777	0.1993%
1961	116	3,905	0.2068%
1962	120	3,744	0.2039%
1963	122	3,558	0.1982%
1964	117	3,536	0.2009%
1965	124	3,080	0.1883%
1966	117	3,035	0.1944%
1967	121	2,771	0.1826%
1968	113	2,978	0.1983%
1969	101	3,708	0.2407%
1970	121	3,165	0.1989%
1971	130	2,602	0.1732%
1972	130	2,324	0.1706%
1973	136	2,075	0.1601%
1974	136	2,049	0.1576%
1975	137	1,980	0.1541%
1976	141	1,898	0.1473%
1977	142	2,051	0.1522%
1978	112	2,584	0.1922%
1979	122	2,559	0.1815%
1980	98	3,064	0.2096%
1981	88	3,665	0.2493%
1982	84	3,498	0.2341%
1983	85	3,379	0.229%
1984	87	3,356	0.2256%
1985	85	3,197	0.2106%
1986	88	3,100	0.2054%
1987	86	3,326	0.218%
1988	88	3,355	0.2153%
1989	96	3,369	0.2088%
1990	83	3,909	0.2358%
1991	67	5,363	0.329%
1992	70	5,021	0.3146%
1993	72	4,657	0.2987%
1994	73	4,838	0.3152%
1995	62	5,411	0.359%
1996	48	6,312	0.4216%
1997	37	7,339	0.4962%
1998	32	8,327	0.5564%
1999	30	8,751	0.5844%
2000	29	8,766	0.5738%
2001	27	8,837	0.5865%
2002	33	7,963	0.5314%
2003	33	7,434	0.4886%
2004	32	7,145	0.4688%
2005	31	7,081	0.4631%
2006	31	6,880	0.4394%
2007	34	6,130	0.3885%
2008	41	5,616	0.3634%
2009	50	4,985	0.3335%
2010	55	4,674	0.3243%
2011	57	4,347	0.3051%
2012	65	3,876	0.272%
2013	76	3,739	0.2626%
2014	85	3,596	0.2468%
2015	89	3,370	0.2316%
2016	88	3,316	0.23%
2017	93	3,111	0.2229%
2018	92	2,981	0.217%
2019	98	2,767	0.2044%
2020	108	2,433	0.1911%
2021	115	2,205	0.1804%
2022	112	2,523	0.1912%

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Data via SSA.gov.

Names Like Julia

If you like Julia, you’ll love these other names like Julia.

What names are diminutives of Julia?

A diminutive is a name that’s like Julia sounds, you might also like these names that sound like Julia, but shorter.

Name	Meaning	Origin
Jewel	Plaything, delight	French
Julee	Youthful; Jove's child	Latin
Jules	Youthful, Downy	French
Juley	Youthful; Jove's child	Latin
Juli	Youthful; Jove's child	Latin
Julie	A variant form, regarded as French, of Julia.	French

What names are variants of Julia?

Mix it up with these names that are a variation of the name Julia.

Name	Meaning	Origin
Giulia	Youthful	Latin
Giuliana	Youthful	Latin
Giulianna	Youthful; Jove's child	Latin
Giulianne	Youthful; Jove's child	Latin
Giulietta	Youthful; youthful; Jove's child	Latin
Jiulia	Youthful; youthful; Jove's child	Latin
Joleta	Youthful; Jove's child	Latin
Joletta	Youthful; Jove's child	Latin

Jolette	Youthful; Jove's child	Latin
Julaine	Youthful; Jove's child	Latin
Julayna	Youthful; Jove's child	Latin
Juleen	Youthful; Jove's child	Latin
Julena	Youthful; Jove's child	Latin
Juliaeta	Youthful; Jove's child	Latin
Juliaetta	Youthful; Jove's child	Latin
Juliana	Youthful and downy	Latin
Juliane	Youthful; youthful; Jove's child	Latin
Juliann	Youthful; Jove's child	Latin
Julianne	Youthful; Jove's child	Latin
Julienne	Youthful; Jove's child	Latin
Juliet	Youthful and downy	English
Julieta	Youthful; Jove's child	Latin
Julietta	Youthful; youthful; Jove's child	Latin

Juliette	Youthful and downy	French
Julina	Youthful; Jove's child	Latin
Juline	Youthful; Jove's child	Latin
Julinka	Youthful; Jove's child	Latin
Juliska	Youthful; Jove's child	Latin
Julissa	Form of Julius	American
Julita	Youthful; Jove's child	Latin
Julitta	Youthful; Jove's child	Latin
Julyana	Youthful; Jove's child	Latin
Julyanna	Youthful; Jove's child	Latin
Julyet	Youthful; Jove's child	Latin
Julyetta	Youthful; Jove's child	Latin
Julyette	Youthful; Jove's child	Latin
Julyne	Youthful; Jove's child	Latin
Yulia	Youthful; Jove's child	Latin

Yuliya		Russian

What names sound like Julia?

If you like how Julia sounds, you might also like these names that sound like Julia.

Name	Meaning	Origin
Gianna	God is gracious	Italian
Julissa	Form of Julius	American
June	Month of June	Latin
Juniper	Juniper tree	English

What names are similar to Julia?

Find a name that’s like Julia, but just a little bit different.

Name	Meaning	Origin
Bella	Beautiful one	Italian
Gabriella	God is my strength	Italian
Giada	Jade	Italian
Isabella	Devoted to God	Italian
Liliana	Lily flower	English
Lucia	Of the light	Italian
Mia	Dear	Scandinavian
Olivia	Olive tree	Latin
Rosa	Rose	Latin
Sofia	Wisdom	Greek

Lists With Julia

Find inspiration in these baby girl name lists featuring the name Julia.

Siblings of Julia

Mamas with kids named Julia also have kids with these names.

Name	Meaning	Origin	Popularity	Other Gender

Danie	God is my Judge	Hebrew
Amelia	Work	German
Isaac	He will laugh	Hebrew
Clara	Bright and clear	Latin
Samuel	Name of God	Hebrew
Lydia
Maria	Of the sea	Latin

Share Your Thoughts

21 Comments

Julia's Ex-Husband Aug 19 at 10:43 am

Julia was the name of my ex-wife… Excuse me ma’am, not to be disrespectful or rude but could you please take post down. That is my ex-wife who was killed by a metra train. And it this post is very disrespectful. Idk who you are or if you even know her but I need you to take this down please.

Reply
Julia Jan 13 at 7:12 pm

I love my name.

I remember how when I was younger, I would call myself something else, Jewels or Cookie (out of all things), on my assignments, but I am grateful for my name.

Originally, when my parents chose my name when I was born, I was Olivia or Sophia, but my father was picky and was good with Julia; I believe he made the right choice because many kids in the schools I’ve attended have those names, and the only other Julia I can recall was a girl with the same last initial as me; plus, the name suits me.

I believe that the meanings mentioned, “downy haired” and “youthful,” refers to having infant-like features that make me look young, which is adorable. In other websites, it also means “Jupiter’s child,” “supreme god,” “divine,” and others of that nature, which I believe describes me as some sort of deity or someone related to one, which is true because I am one of God’s children. Maybe it’s metaphorically saying I’m a god. When I put both main meanings together, I also see it of being a young woman wise beyond her years, which is true. In addition, when doing research, I found that Jupiter is the Zeus of Roman mythology and that he resides over laws and justice, so maybe it means I want justice and that I feel like doing what’s right.

In short, getting the context from my first name gives me joy and I love learning about my name’s backgrounds.

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- julia Aug 6 at 12:24 pm
  
  oh gosh what a coincidence!
  i was born with the name sofia but when i was six i decided to change my name to julia. i clearly remember the reason i chose this name -it resembles jewels. x)
  
  Reply
Gandahlyn Jun 10 at 11:23 am

My cat’s name is Julia, and she goes by Jewels

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Emma May 25 at 2:36 pm

It’s so classic! A beautiful, timeless name. Also, the nickname Jules is just ???

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- Jessica Nov 17 at 3:39 pm
  
  I LOVE your name, Emma!
  
  Reply
Daniela May 5 at 7:13 am

Easy pronunciation in English and Spanish

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Julia and loving it Mar 19 at 2:04 am

When I was younger I didn’t care for my name. In second grade, there just happened to be two Julia’s in my class. At the time, we both went by Julie. My teacher decided that I should go by my given name. However, with her infinite wisdom (or lack thereof) she didn’t asked me how I pronounced my name. For the remainder of that year, and until we moved and I changed schools two years later, my name was mispronounced. My name is only pronounced with two syllables. For over two years it was pronounced incorrectly – with three syllables. I refused to use my given name even after we moved. I have four older brothers and they torment me to tears as a child with the mispronunciation of my name. However, now, I am farther along in years. I have the ability to correct people in a kind way of the mispronounce my name. More importantly, I love my name. Daddy picked out my first name because he had always loved it. He and Momma decided on Mae as my middle name after one of Daddy’s Aunt’s. Both of my parents have passed away, but I still love the story of how I got my name

Reply
- Jessica Nov 17 at 3:55 pm
  
  Julia,
  
  How on Earth did the teacher pronounce Julia with 3 syllables? I can’t even figure it out… Lol.
  
  My dad would call me JessaBeans when I was young. He doesn’t remember where the beans came from lol. When I started to have more than just my best friend over I was so embarrassed by it so he started to call me JB instead. I felt better about it. But… then someone asked me what that meant and I got upset again!
  
  I also hated to be called Jessie cuz in Bicycle Safety Town class, there was a boy with that name and I was convinced it was a boy’s name after that.
  
  Both seem so silly now. Who cares about being called JessaBeans in front of friends? Just say it’s a nickname and we don’t remember where it started from and Jessie can be a boy AND a girl name. I just don’t prefer to be called that. I like Jess or Jessica.
  
  Reply
Mama Kimberly Aug 11 at 6:54 pm

I have two other girls older than her whose names end with “ia”….once we found out we were expecting baby #3, I did a Google search of girls names ending in “ia” and we immediately fell in love with the name Julia!

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Hanna Boddy Jul 13 at 5:20 am

Ancient Roman name. Very elegant and also fun to write.

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Erika Aug 9 at 9:52 am

Years ago, I coached a U6 soccer team..one of the girls were named Julia. It’s a name that has stuck with me with since as you never hear it. I wanted something classic, elegant. Her middle name, Rose, is the same as mine as well as my Mom’s name.

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Audra Grady Verrier Nov 12 at 5:11 pm

Julia was my grandmothers name. We thought it was classic, yet unique and beautiful. We like our family legacy living on. Her middle name is Louise after her Auntie, her fathers sister.

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Ashley Oct 22 at 11:12 am

My daughter was named after my boyfriends great grandmother. And it’s not a name you usually hear these days. Most of the time it’s just julie.

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Mandi Aug 18 at 10:49 am

We knew her middle name was going to be Evelyn. All our other kids names start with “J” so we looked through “J” names that sounded cute with Evelyn as a middle name.

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Taylor Apr 22 at 12:34 pm

We chose Julia because I had heard another person name their daughter Julia (a youtuber actually) and it just stuck with me, I could not get that name out of my head!

I love her name because it sounds classic and beautiful.

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Caroline Apr 22 at 12:22 pm

It’s simple yet unique…. It’s strong, elegant and graceful. It’s timeless!! We paired Julia with Katherine as the middle name and I absolutely love how it flows.

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lauren Apr 16 at 9:06 am

I’ve always liked the name. Mostly because of the Dire Straights song “Romeo & Juliet” but I didn’t want to go full-on Shakespeare. I think it’s romantic and feminine but also strong and timeless. It falls in the middle of being common enough but not every classmate will have it. It fits her at all ages. It also has great nicknames!

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Cristina Apr 15 at 1:15 pm

When thinking of names for our second baby I was SO SURE it was going to be a boy, but we could never agree on any boy names. Before we found out that this second baby was going to be a girl we had finally decided on naming a potential baby boy Julian. The Patriots had just won and Julian Edelman was named MVP and it all felt like a sign. A week later we find out it is going to be a girl and that’s what made us start to consider Julia. Once we put it out there we started to get little signs everywhere that it was the right choice.

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Julia Apr 13 at 12:18 pm

Julia is a family name. She’s the 7th one in our family (5th generation) dating back to 1832.

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Emily Apr 13 at 12:07 pm

I had 4 screen shots of names… so many girls names. It was one we agreed on. It had 3 syllables. We pronounce it “Ju-lee-a”. Some other people say “Jewel-ya”. That was an issue I did not consider. It was my (paternal) great, great grandmothers name. We love our Julia Rose!

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