Alicja is a feminine given name of Polish origin. It is derived from the Germanic name Adalheidis, which consists of the elements "adal," meaning "noble" or "illustrious," and "heid," meaning "kind" or "battle." Therefore, Alicja can be translated as "noble kind."
The name Alicja has been popular in Poland for centuries. It was used by several prominent historical figures, including Queen Jadwiga of Poland (also known as St. Hedwig), who ruled the country in the 14th century and is revered as a patron saint of Poland and Lithuania.
In literature, Alicja appears as the protagonist in "Alicja w Kraju Czarów" ("Alice in Wonderland"), a popular children's novel written by Polish author Janusz Korczak. This has contributed to the name's enduring popularity among Polish-speaking families.
Today, Alicja remains a beloved and commonly used name in Poland and other Slavic countries, while it is less known internationally compared to its English counterpart, Alice. Despite this, some people of non-Polish descent may choose Alicja for its unique sound and cultural significance.
Based on the provided statistics, the name Alicja has seen a varied trend of popularity over the past few decades in the United States.
In the late 1980s and early 1990s, the number of babies named Alicja ranged from as low as 5 to as high as 8 births per year. However, starting around the year 2000, there was a noticeable increase in the popularity of this name. The annual birth count rose significantly, reaching double digits for the first time in 2000 with 13 births.
The peak in popularity for Alicja occurred between 2007 and 2010, during which time more than 20 babies were named Alicja each year. In fact, 2010 saw a record-breaking 22 Alicjas born that year.
Despite the dip in popularity after 2010, with fewer than 20 Alicja births per year from 2011 to 2023, this name has still maintained a consistent presence. Over the past decade alone (2012-2023), there have been between 8 and 17 Alicjas born each year.
In total, over the span of these statistics (from 1982 to 2023), there were 378 babies named Alicja in the United States. These figures highlight how this unique name has evolved in popularity and maintained a steady presence among American parents choosing names for their daughters.