ChristianNames.org Saved

Name at a glance

Lydia

Lydia is a Greek name meaning woman from Lydia, an ancient region of Asia Minor.

Ranked #92 in US baby names in 2025, stable over the past 5 years.

Lydia is remembered in Acts as a seller of purple cloth and an early convert whose household becomes connected with Paul's mission.

Browse names
OriginGreek place-name
GenderGirl
FeelElegant
PronunciationLID-ee-uh

Is Lydia biblical?

Yes

Biblical status Direct biblical person

Lydia is a named person in Scripture, the seller of purple cloth and first named convert at Philippi in Acts 16:14.

Is Lydia a Christian name?

Yes

Christian tradition Foundational, across traditions

Lydia is venerated across Orthodox (as Equal-to-the-Apostles), Catholic, and Anglican traditions and has been used in Christian families for generations.

Plain answer

Lydia is a New Testament name for the first named convert at Philippi, venerated across Orthodox, Catholic, and Anglican traditions and long used by Christian families.

Confidence Moderate Last reviewed July 19, 2026 How this works

Meaning

The meaning of Lydia

Lydia began as a name connected with the region of Lydia in Asia Minor. Its meaning is geographic rather than devotional, but its Christian significance comes from the woman named Lydia in Acts.

New Testament story

Lydia in Acts

Lydia appears in Acts 16 during Paul's ministry in Philippi. She is described as a seller of purple cloth and a worshiper of God.

Her story is brief but important. She listens, responds, is baptized with her household, and offers hospitality to Paul and his companions.

Sound

How to pronounce Lydia

Phonetic
LID-ee-uh
IPA
/ˈlɪdiə/

3 syllables · stress: LID-ee-uh · ends in a vowel

Forms

Variants and nicknames

Alternate spellings

  • Lidia
  • Lydiya
  • Lidiya

Short forms and nicknames

  • Lyd
  • Liddy

Languages

Lydia in other languages

Greek
ΛυδίαLydia
Latin
Lydia
Spanish
Lidia
French
Lydie
German
Lydia
Italian
Lidia
Russian
ЛидияLidiya
Polish
Lidia

Christian background

Christian and biblical background

Lydia is often remembered as one of the first named converts in Europe in the narrative of Acts. Her story connects the name with attentiveness, hospitality, work, and the spread of the gospel.

Scripture

The biblical figure

Lydia hears Paul's message, responds in faith, and welcomes the missionaries into her home. Her household becomes part of the early Christian story in Philippi.

Bearers

Notable people named Lydia

  • biblical

    LydiaSeller of purple cloth in Acts 16, the first named convert in Philippi and one of the first named Christians in Europe

  • historical

    Lydia Maria ChildAmerican abolitionist writer and women's rights advocate, author of the poem Over the River and Through the Wood, 1802 to 1880

  • modern

    Lydia DavisAmerican short story writer and translator, born 1947

  • modern

    Lydia KoSouth Korean-born New Zealand professional golfer, born 1997

Saint

Saint Lydia of Thyatira

Traditions
Orthodox, Catholic, Anglican

Lydia is venerated in Orthodox tradition as Equal-to-the-Apostles for her role as the first named convert at Philippi (Acts 16). The Catholic Roman Martyrology also commemorates her.

Naming history

Naming tradition and history

Lydia has been used in Christian Europe and English-speaking families for generations. It feels biblical but not overused, with a graceful sound and a strong New Testament association.

Recent US use

Lydia in recent US use

Rank in 2025
#92
Peak rank
#75 in 1883
Recent trend
stable over the last 5 years
Years in the SSA records
146 (since 1880)

Source: US Social Security Administration baby name data, 1880-2025.

Sibling fit

Sibling name suggestions

For families

For families looking at Lydia

For a Christian family, Lydia offers a name that is biblical, feminine, and quietly substantial. It may suit families who like names with story and elegance rather than a heavily theological meaning.

Common questions

What does Lydia mean?

Lydia means woman from Lydia or person from Lydia, referring to an ancient region.

Is Lydia a biblical name?

Yes. Lydia appears in Acts 16.

Why is Lydia important in the Bible?

Lydia is remembered as an early convert who received Paul's message and offered hospitality.

Sources

Sources for Lydia

  • A Greek-English Lexicon, Liddell, Scott, and JonesSupports: Greek place-name etymology; meaning 'woman from Lydia'.
  • The Acts of the Apostles, King James Version (KJV 1769)Supports: biblical figure; seller of purple and first named convert at Philippi (Acts 16:14).
  • The Oxford Dictionary of Saints, David Hugh Farmer (5th edition)Supports: Saint Lydia of Thyatira; venerated as Equal-to-the-Apostles; feast day (August 3).

Last reviewed July 19, 2026. See our methodology, or report an error on the corrections page.

Read next

Related names

PhoebeBoth are New Testament women named in Paul's letters and Acts; Lydia hosts the Philippian church (Acts 16:14-15), Phoebe carries the letter to Rome (Romans 16:1-2).MaryBoth are women whose households become early gathering points for the church; Mary mother of John Mark in Jerusalem (Acts 12:12), Lydia in Philippi (Acts 16:40).RuthBoth are non-Israelite women whose response to the God of Israel shapes the biblical story; Ruth the Moabite, Lydia the dealer in purple from Thyatira.GraceBoth are short Christian girls' names with strong devotional substance; Lydia's place-name origin and Grace's virtue meaning both anchor cleanly in modern English use.