Charlotte Girl
SHAHR-luht
“free man” · French
#2
Lavinia
GirlLatin· “from the Latin town Lavinium; uncertain”
- Meaning
- from the Latin town Lavinium; uncertain (origin disputed)
- Origin
- Latin
- Pronunciation
- luh-VIN-ee-uh
- Syllables
- 3
- US rank 2025
- #2,290
- US babies 2025
- 80
- Best rank
- #360 (1880)
- Peak year
- 1921
Meaning and origin of Lavinia
Lavinia is often said to mean “from the Latin town Lavinium; uncertain”; the origin is uncertain, though it is usually linked to Latin roots.
Lavinia comes from Roman legend. In Virgil's Aeneid she is the daughter of King Latinus, and her marriage to Aeneas joins the Trojans and the Latins; the town of Lavinium was said to be named after her. The origin of the name itself is uncertain and may be tied to that place name. Shakespeare gave the name to the tragic daughter of Titus in Titus Andronicus, and it was a favorite in eighteenth and nineteenth century England. It is said luh-VIN-ee-uh. Nicknames include Vinnie, Vina and Livvy. It fits the revival of long, romantic vintage names such as Cordelia and Ophelia.
Popularity over time
Lavinia 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 50 different years. Its best national rank was #360 in 1880, and the most babies received it in 1921, when 93 were named Lavinia. In 2025, 80 babies were named Lavinia, and it ranked #2,290 nationally. That is 27% more than ten years earlier, so it is clearly on the rise.
Its national rank moved from #758 in 1920, #1,486 in 1950, #3,781 in 1980, #6,364 in 2000, #4,261 in 2010, and #2,290 in 2025. Of the 5,660 US girls named Lavinia since records began, 13% were born in the 1920s, its biggest decade. The 2010s come next, with 586 babies. Since 2010, 1,051 more have been named Lavinia.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Pinkie, Hildred, Elwanda, Yoshiko, and Vita.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Lavinia ranked highest in Massachusetts, Virginia, and Florida.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | #595 | 9 |
| Virginia | #1123 | 6 |
| Florida | #2340 | 5 |
| California | #2947 | 6 |
| Texas | #3140 | 6 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Lavinia is usually pronounced luh-VIN-ee-uh, with three syllables. It has seven letters, starts with L and ends in “-ia”.
Middle names for Lavinia
A few middle names that flow with Lavinia: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Lavinia
Similar names
Sylvia Girl
SIHL-vee-uh
“forest” · Latin
#300
Silvia Girl
SIL-vee-uh
“of the forest” · Latin
#1,240
Amelia Girl
uh-MEEL-yuh
“work” · Germanic
#4
Cornelia Girl
kor-NEEL-yuh
“feminine of Cornelius; possibly horn” · Latin
#3,138
Camilla Girl
kuh-MIH-luh
“from a Roman family name, perhaps 'young attendant'” · Latin
#361
Gloria Girl
GLAW-ree-uh
“glory” · Latin
#655
Virginia Girl
vur-JIHN-yuh
“from the Roman name Verginius” · Latin
#526
Cecelia Girl
suh-SEEL-yuh
“from a Roman family name” · Latin
#529
Claudia Girl
KLAW-dee-uh
“from the Roman family name Claudius” · Latin
#1,096
Patricia Girl
puh-TRIH-shuh
“noble, patrician” · Latin
#1,336
Celia Girl
SEEL-yuh
“possibly heavenly” · Latin
#774
Antonia Girl
an-TOH-nee-uh
“uncertain; feminine of Antonius” · Latin
#1,279
Lists that include Lavinia
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Lavinia mean?
Lavinia is often said to mean “from the Latin town Lavinium; uncertain”; the origin is uncertain, though it is usually linked to Latin roots.
What is the origin of the name Lavinia?
Lavinia has Latin roots. Lavinia comes from Roman legend.
Is Lavinia a popular name?
Not especially. Lavinia ranked #2,290 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Lavinia a boy or girl name?
Lavinia is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Lavinia?
Lavinia is usually pronounced luh-VIN-ee-uh. 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