Alicia
Alicia Name Meaning, Origin & Popularity
/a.ˈli.θja/
Meaning of Alicia: The name Alicia is a Latinate form of Alice, which derives from the Old High German name Adalheidis, a compound of adal (noble) and heid (type, sort, kind). The full compound means "noble type" or "of noble character," reflecting the social values embedded in Germanic aristocratic naming from the early medieval period.
The Old High German Adalheidis simplified through Old French to Adelais, then to Aalis, and finally to the English Alice by the 12th century. The Latinate spelling Alicia emerged as a formal or ecclesiastical variant, particularly common in Iberian and Italian naming traditions from the Renaissance onward.
In Spanish-speaking communities, Alicia became a standard given name distinct from Alice, carrying its own phonological identity with the stress on the second syllable: ah-LEE-see-ah. This pronunciation differentiates it from the English Alice and gives Alicia a cross-cultural appeal that spans both Anglo-American and Hispanic naming traditions.
What Does Alicia Mean? Origin & Etymology
The name gained significant cultural resonance through the 1865 publication of Lewis Carroll's Alice in Wonderland, which revived the Alice name family broadly. Alicia itself gained visibility through Alicia Keys (born 1981), the Grammy-winning American musician whose career from 2001 onward brought the name into the spotlight for a new generation of parents.
According to SSA records, Alicia ranked #436 in the US as of 2024, with 708 births recorded that year. Its dual cultural identity - rooted in Germanic nobility and fully naturalized in Spanish-speaking communities - makes it one of the more cross-culturally versatile choices in the Alice name family.
How Popular Is Alicia?
Numerology & Symbolism of Alicia
Based on Pythagorean numerology — a traditional system linking name letters to numbers. Presented for cultural interest.
Alicia – Similar Names & Alternatives
Not seeing what you want? Browse all names by origin or popularity
Frequently Asked Questions about Alicia
What does the name Alicia mean?
The name Alicia carries roots in Germanic and reflects the naming values of that cultural tradition. The precise meaning connects to concepts meaningful in its source language and culture.
How popular is the name Alicia in the United States?
According to SSA records, Alicia ranked #436 for girl names in the United States, with 708 births recorded in the most recent annual count. The name hit its highest SSA rank in 2024. It has held a consistent place in US naming statistics across multiple decades.
Where does the name Alicia come from?
The name Alicia comes from Germanic. It entered English use through the linguistic and cultural channels typical of Germanic-origin names—whether through religious texts, migration, or the prestige associated with classical learning. Today it is recognized as a girl’s name across the English-speaking world.