The name Lucile is of French origin and has a rich history dating back to the Middle Ages. It is derived from the Latin word "lux," which means light, and the French feminine suffix "-ile." Thus, Lucile translates to "bearer of light."
In medieval France, Lucile was often given as a first name to girls born into families with ties to royalty or the nobility. This was due to its association with the House of Luxembourg, one of the most powerful European dynasties during that time. The Luxembourg family adopted this name because their ancestors were said to have brought light and illumination to dark times in Europe's history.
Throughout the centuries, Lucile has remained popular among French-speaking populations but has also gained international recognition. Today, it is considered a classic yet distinctive feminine given name that continues to be chosen by parents around the world who appreciate its elegant sound and historical significance.
While some sources suggest that Lucile may have been more commonly used as a nickname or shortened form of other names like Luce or Louise in earlier times, there is no denying that it has since established itself as an independent and respected name in its own right.
The name Lucile has seen a varied trend in popularity over the years in the United States. Between 1880 and 1920, it was quite popular with a peak of 1441 births in 1915. However, its popularity began to decline significantly after that year.
From the 1930s onwards, there were fewer than 500 births per year for Lucile until the 1960s when it became even rarer, with less than 50 births annually from 1962 to 1978. The name almost disappeared in the late 1970s and early 1980s with only single-digit numbers of births recorded each year.
However, there has been a slight resurgence in recent years. Since 2000, Lucile has seen an increased number of births, peaking at 48 in 2023. This indicates that while it may not be as popular as it once was, the name Lucile is still being chosen by some parents for their daughters in modern times.
In total, there have been 34,826 births with the name Lucile in the United States since record-keeping began. While its popularity has fluctuated greatly over time, it remains a unique and historic name choice.