Felicity
/fə.ˈlɪs.ɪ.ti/
Felicity comes from the English vocabulary word meaning “happiness” and “good fortune,” itself from the Latin felicitas meaning “luck” or “bliss,” derived from felix (“happy, lucky”).
It was one of the virtue names adopted by Puritans in the 17th century.
The name was used occasionally in England and America through the 19th and early 20th centuries. It gained significant momentum in the United States after the WB drama Felicity premiered in 1998, featuring Keri Russell in the title role.
What the name Felicity means
Felicity peaked at No. 345 in 2017 with 938 births. In 2024 it stands at No. 486 with 628 births, declining slowly from its recent high.
Actress Felicity Huffman (1962-) and British actress Felicity Jones (1983-) kept the name in public view. It is considerably more common in the United Kingdom than in the United States.
Four syllables — feh-LIS-ih-tee — with stress on the second beat. The name has a graceful, slightly formal quality that suits both a child and an adult without awkwardness.
Parents drawn to Felicity often want a name with a transparent, positive meaning that feels literary and timeless without being too unusual.
Related names include Felicia (the Latinate form), Félicité (French), and Felicitas (Latin/German). All share the same root meaning of happiness and good fortune.
US popularity over time
Numerology and symbolism
Based on Pythagorean numerology — a traditional system linking name letters to numbers. Presented for cultural interest.
Famous people named Felicity
Felicity - similar names
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