Charlotte Girl
SHAHR-luht
“free man” · French
#2
Julia
GirlLatin· “uncertain; Roman family name”
- Meaning
- uncertain; Roman family name (origin disputed)
- Origin
- Latin
- Pronunciation
- JOOL-yuh
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #131
- US babies 2025
- 2,172
- Best rank
- #26 (1880)
- Peak year
- 2001
Meaning and origin of Julia
Julia is often said to mean “uncertain; Roman family name”; the origin is uncertain, though it is usually linked to Latin roots.
Julia is the feminine form of Julius, a Roman family name. Its origin is uncertain. It has been linked to the god Jupiter and, in older folk explanations, to a Greek word for downy or youthful beard, but neither is proven. In ancient Rome, Julia was the name of women of the Julian family, including the daughter of Augustus. A Julia is greeted by Paul in the Letter to the Romans. The name has stayed in use across Europe ever since and is classic in English. Jules and Julie are easy nicknames.
Popularity over time
Julia has been given to babies in the United States since at least 1880, the first year of Social Security records. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 146 different years. Its best national rank was #26 in 1880, and the most babies received it in 2001, when 8,838 were named Julia. In 2025, 2,172 babies were named Julia, and it ranked #131 nationally. That is 36% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #55 in 1920, #119 in 1950, #98 in 1980, #29 in 2000, #55 in 2010, and #131 in 2025. Of the 476,250 US girls named Julia since records began, 15% were born in the 2000s, its biggest decade. The 1990s come next, with 59,954 babies. Since 2010, 50,238 more have been named Julia.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Kaitlyn, Haley, Destiny, Sydney, and Savannah.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Julia ranked highest in Massachusetts, Illinois, and New Jersey.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | #74 | 71 |
| Illinois | #80 | 104 |
| New Jersey | #93 | 74 |
| Connecticut | #94 | 29 |
| District of Columbia | #100 | 8 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Julia is usually pronounced JOOL-yuh, with two syllables. It has five letters, starts with J and ends in “-ia”.
Middle names for Julia
A few middle names that flow with Julia: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Julia
Similar names
Lia Girl
LEE-uh
“short form of names like Amelia” · Italian
#200
Dahlia Girl
DAL-yuh
“the dahlia flower” · Swedish
#215
Maia Girl
MY-uh
“mother, nurse” · Greek
#433
Lucia Girl
loo-SEE-uh
“light” · Latin
#83
Celia Girl
SEEL-yuh
“possibly heavenly” · Latin
#774
Tania Girl
TAHN-yuh
“short form of Tatiana” · Russian
#2,050
Pia Girl
PEE-uh
“pious, devout” · Latin
#1,456
Portia Girl
PAWR-shuh
“from Roman family name Porcius” · Latin
#7,803
Maria Girl
muh-REE-uh
“form of Mary; meaning uncertain” · Latin
#87
Eva Girl
EE-vuh
“life” · Latin
#134
Natalia Girl
nuh-TAHL-yuh
“Christmas Day” · Latin
#144
Valeria Girl
vuh-LEHR-ee-uh
“strong, healthy” · Latin
#162
Lists that include Julia
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Julia mean?
Julia is often said to mean “uncertain; Roman family name”; the origin is uncertain, though it is usually linked to Latin roots.
What is the origin of the name Julia?
Julia has Latin roots. Julia is the feminine form of Julius, a Roman family name.
Is Julia a popular name?
Yes. Julia ranked #131 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Julia a boy or girl name?
Julia is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Julia?
Julia is usually pronounced JOOL-yuh. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings