Back to Baby Names

Lucilla

Girl Name #6,340 Most Popular Hidden Gem 3 Syllables

Imperial Roman radiance wrapped in elegance

Italian Roman English Spanish Portuguese French
Vintage Elegant Classic Sophisticated Royal

Meaning & Origin

"Diminutive of Lucia (light)"
Origin: Latin
Language: Latin

Things to Know About This Name

  • Associated with Lucilla, a 2nd-century Roman empress who conspired against her brother Emperor Commodus

The Story of Lucilla

Lucilla is a Latin diminutive of Lucia, itself derived from 'lux' (genitive 'lucis'), the Latin word for light. The '-illa' suffix is an affectionate diminutive common in Latin, making Lucilla literally 'little light' or 'dear light.' The name was popular in ancient Rome, borne by women of noble and imperial families, and was later adopted by early Christians who venerated Saint Lucia as a martyr of light. It represents a classical tradition of names rooted in natural elements, particularly light, which carried strong symbolic meaning in both Roman and early Christian culture.

Lucilla enjoyed use in the Roman Empire and among early Christians, then faded through the medieval period. It is currently experiencing a quiet revival as parents rediscover elaborate Latinate names with the familiar nickname Lucy.

Annia Aurelia Galeria Lucilla, daughter of philosopher-emperor Marcus Aurelius, gave the name genuine imperial pedigree. The name also connects to the widespread veneration of Saint Lucia, whose feast day on December 13th is celebrated with candlelight ceremonies across Scandinavia.

Fun Facts

  • Annia Aurelia Galeria Lucilla (148–182 AD), daughter of Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius, was elevated to co-Augusta, making Lucilla one of the most powerful names in the Roman Empire.
  • The Latin root 'lux' (light) also gives us the words luxury, lucid, translucent, and illuminate in English.
  • The character Lucilla in the 2000 film Gladiator, portrayed by Connie Nielsen, introduced the name to a new generation, depicting Marcus Aurelius's daughter as a complex political figure.

Lucilla in Other Languages

Latin Lucilla
French Lucille
German Lucilla
Italian Lucilla
Spanish Lucila
Portuguese Lucila

Popularity Over Time

#6,340
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Peaked 1955 Based on SSA data 1880–present

Famous People Named Lucilla

L

Lucilla Agosti

Entertainer

1978

Italian television presenter and personality known for hosting various entertainment and music programs on Italian natio...

Italian television presenter and personality known for hosting various entertainment and music programs on Italian national television.

A

Annia Aurelia Galeria Lucilla

Royalty

148

Roman empress and daughter of philosopher-emperor Marcus Aurelius, elevated to the rank of Augusta; later executed by he...

Roman empress and daughter of philosopher-emperor Marcus Aurelius, elevated to the rank of Augusta; later executed by her brother Commodus after a conspiracy against him.

L

Lucilla Fictional

Actor

Fictional character in the 2000 film Gladiator, portrayed by Connie Nielsen as the daughter of Marcus Aurelius and secre...

Fictional character in the 2000 film Gladiator, portrayed by Connie Nielsen as the daughter of Marcus Aurelius and secret ally of the protagonist Maximus.

Quick Facts

Gender
Girl
Syllables
3
Popularity Rank
#6,340
Total SSA Count
19
Cultural Origins
Italian Roman English Spanish Portuguese French
Pronunciation
Easy
Formality
Formal
Cross-Cultural Ease
High

Alternative Spellings

Lucia #98 Lucille #274 Luciana #291 Lucie #1294 Lucinda #1723 Lucianna #1794 Luci #2891 Lucina #3116

Common Nicknames

Lucy Luce Lulu Lilla

Middle Name Ideas

Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style

Sibling Names

Cecilia Aurelia Vivienne Cordelia Octavia Felix Cassius

Sibling Match Premium

Check how Lucilla fits with existing sibling names — style, sound, and origin.

Up to 3 sibling names, comma-separated.

Enter sibling names above to see compatibility.

Similar Names

Lucinda Cecilia Lucile Priscilla Amalia Camille Lucina Camelia

Compare Lucilla with...

Lucilla vs Lucinda Lucilla vs Cecilia Lucilla vs Lucile Lucilla vs Priscilla

Same Origin Names (Italian)

Liam #1 Olivia #1 Noah #2 Emma #2 Oliver #3 Amelia #3 Theodore #4 Charlotte #4

Playground Safety

Kid-Friendly

Can't decide?

Start a tournament bracket with Lucilla and other names you're considering.

Start a Tournament

Like this name?

Check how Lucilla sounds with your surname and test for potential nicknames.

Analyze This Name
Browse more girl names →

Explore More Generators

Frequently Asked Questions About Lucilla

What does the name Lucilla mean?
"Diminutive of Lucia (light)" (from Latin). Lucilla is a Latin diminutive of Lucia, itself derived from 'lux' (genitive 'lucis'), the Latin word for light. The '-illa' suffix is an affectionate diminutive common in Latin, making Lucilla literally 'little light' or 'dear light.' The name was popular in ancient Rome, borne by women of noble and imperial families, and was later adopted by early Christians who venerated Saint Lucia as a martyr of light. It represents a classical tradition of names rooted in natural elements, particularly light, which carried strong symbolic meaning in both Roman and early Christian culture.
What is the origin of the name Lucilla?
Lucilla has Latin, Italian, Roman, English, Spanish, Portuguese, and French origins. In Latin, it means "Diminutive of Lucia (light)".
Is Lucilla a boy or girl name?
Lucilla is primarily used as a girl name.
How popular is the name Lucilla?
Lucilla is currently ranked #6340 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Lucilla?
Common nicknames for Lucilla include Lucy, Luce, Lulu, and Lilla.
What are good middle names for Lucilla?
Popular middle name pairings include Lucilla Rose, Lucilla Mae, Lucilla Claire, Lucilla Jane, Lucilla Beatrice, Lucilla Florence, and Lucilla Elise.
What are good sibling names for Lucilla?
Names that pair well with Lucilla as siblings include Cecilia, Aurelia, Vivienne, Cordelia, Octavia, Felix, and Cassius.
How many syllables does Lucilla have?
Lucilla has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.
Is Lucilla a common or rare name?
Lucilla is an uncommon name, ranked #6340 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.

About the Name Lucilla

Lucilla is a girl name with Italian, Roman, English, Spanish, Portuguese, and French origins . The name means "Diminutive of Lucia (light)" in Latin .

Lucilla is currently ranked #6,340 in popularity for girl names in the United States.

The name Lucilla has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and memorable.

Common nicknames for Lucilla include Lucy, Luce, Lulu, and Lilla. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.

Alternative spellings of Lucilla include Lucia, Lucille, Luciana, Lucie, Lucinda . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.

Explore Name Lists

Most Popular Girl Names Rising Girl Names Unique Girl Names Short Girl Names