"happiness, good fortune"
Felicity
Pronunciation: [ f-ihl-IHS-uht-ee ]
A Victorian virtue name meaning pure happiness
Meaning & Origin
"luck, prosperity"
The Story of Felicity
Felicity comes from the Latin 'felicitas,' meaning happiness, luck, and good fortune. It was a virtue name prized in ancient Rome — Felicitas was even a goddess of good luck. Early Christian martyrs bore the name, most famously Saint Felicity of Carthage, martyred in 203 AD alongside Perpetua, ensuring the name's preservation through the medieval period.
Felicity enjoyed a small American revival in the late 1990s following the WB drama 'Felicity' (1998-2002), starring Keri Russell. It has remained popular in English-speaking countries, especially Australia and the UK, where it never fully went out of fashion.
In Australia and New Zealand, Felicity has been a quietly beloved classic for decades. The name carries associations of Britishness and literary refinement, often found in period dramas and Jane Austen adaptations.
Fun Facts
- Saint Felicity of Carthage is one of the earliest documented female martyrs, with her story surviving in a remarkable first-person prison diary
- The name shares its Latin root with felicitous, felicitation, and Felix
Felicity in Other Languages
Famous People Named Felicity
Felicity Jones
Actor
1983
British actress known for Rogue One: A Star Wars Story and The Theory of Everything
Felicity Huffman
Actor
1962
American actress known for Desperate Housewives and Emmy-winning performance in Transamerica
Felicity Smoak Fictional
Other
Beloved character from the TV series Arrow, a tech genius and central love interest
Felicity Porter Fictional
Other
Protagonist of the WB drama Felicity (1998-2002), played by Keri Russell
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 4
- Popularity Rank
- #486
- Total SSA Count
- 628
- Cultural Origins
- English Australian
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Formal
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Pairs Well With
Sibling Names
Also a Boy Name
Felicity is also used as a boy name, ranked #23240.
View Felicity as a boy name →Similar Names
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Frequently Asked Questions About Felicity
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About the Name Felicity
Felicity is a girl name with English and Australian origins . The name means "happiness, good fortune" in Latin .
Is Felicity a boy or girl name? Felicity is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #486 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #23,240. Felicity is more commonly used as a girl name.
Felicity is currently ranked #486 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Felicity has 4 syllables and is pronounced f-ihl-IHS-uht-ee, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Felicity include Fliss, Flic, Lissy, and Fee. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Felicity include Felicia . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.