Meaning & History
Lidia is a feminine given name used in several European languages, including Polish, Italian, Spanish, Romanian, and Georgian. It is a regional variant of Lydia, which derives from the Greek name Λυδία (Lydia), meaning "from Lydia." Lydia was an ancient region in western Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey), named for the legendary king Lydos, whose name has an unknown etymology.
Etymology and Historical Context
The name Lydia appears in the New Testament as a woman converted to Christianity by Saint Paul in Philippi (Acts 16:14-15). She was a merchant of purple cloth, and her conversion strengthened the early Christian church. After the Protestant Reformation, the name Lydia regained popularity in English-speaking and other Protestant areas, spreading to Catholic countries as well. The form Lidia emerged through local orthographic adaptations, such as the Italian and Spanish omission of the 'y' in favor of 'i', and the Polish adoption of the 'i' spelling.
Geographic Distribution and Forms
Lidia is particularly widespread in Poland, Italy, Spain, Romania, and Georgia. A common Polish diminutive is Lidka. In other languages, the name has varying forms: Lidziya (Belarusian), Lidiya (Ukrainian), Lídia (Portuguese), Lidija (Slovene), and Lýdie (Czech).
Notable Bearers
Several notable women bear the name Lidia. Lidia Bastianich (born 1947) is an American celebrity chef and restaurateur known for her Italian cuisine and television appearances. Lidia Gueiler Tejada (1921–2011) was the first female President of Bolivia, serving in 1979–1980. In sports, Lidia Chojecka (born 1977) is a Polish middle-distance runner who competed in the Olympics. Lidia Falcón (born 1935) is a Spanish feminist writer and politician. In politics, Lidia Argondizzo (born 1960) is an Australian politician. The name also appears in the arts with Lidia Borda (born 1966), an Argentine tango singer, and Lidia Gierwllo (performer) among others.
- Meaning: "from Lydia" (Greek)
- Origin: Italian, Polish, Spanish, Romanian, Georgian form of Lydia
- Usage: Feminina given name
- Regions: Europe (particularly Italy, Poland, Spain, Romania, Georgia)
Related Names
Sources: Wikipedia — Lidia (given name)