 The Ancient Roman name Flavia was used for Princess Flavia in The Prisoner of Zenda. | |
| Pronunciation | FLAH-vee-ah or FLAY-vee-ah |
|---|---|
| Gender | Female |
| Origin | |
| Word/name | Ancient Roman |
| Meaning | golden, blonde; from Latin |
| Region of origin | Italy, France, Brazil, Romania, Spain and other Spanish-speaking countries |
| Other names | |
| Related names | Flaviana, Flavie, Flavy, Flaviere, Flavyere |
Flavia is a feminine given name of Latin origin. The name is most commonly used in Italy, Romania, Brazil (Portuguese: Flávia) and in Spanish-speaking countries.[1] It is in occasional use in the United States, where 18 newborn girls were given the name in 2022.[2]
Origin
Originating from the Latin word "flavus", meaning "golden" or "blonde", Flavia became an Ancient Roman nomen gentilicium for women of the gens Flavia. This gens gave rise to two imperial dynasties, the Flavian dynasty of the 1st-century and the Constantinian dynasty of the 2nd and 3rd-centuries, their use of the name (and its masculine counterpart Flavius) helped spread its popularity in the ancient world. As a nomen Flavia is the name of Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox saints: Flavia Domitilla, wife of Clemens, Flavia Domitilla and Flavia.
Notable people
- Flavia Arcaro (1876–1937), American actress
- Flavia Bujor (born 1988), Romanian-born French novelist
- Flavia Cacace (born 1980), Italian dancer
- Flavia Eberhard (born 1976), Brazilian free-diver
- Flavia Fortunato (born 1964), Italian singer, actress and television presenter
- Flávia de Oliveira (born 1983), Brazilian model
- Flavia Pansieri (born 1951), Italian former United Nations Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights, Assistant Secretary-General
- Flavia Pennetta (born 1982), Italian tennis player
- Flávia Saraiva (born 1999), Brazilian artistic gymnast
- Flavia Schwarz (born 1986), Swiss footballer
- Flavia Tartaglini (born 1985), Italian sport sailor
- Flavia Tumusiime (born 1989), Ugandan actress, model, radio and television personality
- Flavia Vento (born 1977), Italian model, actress and television presenter
Fictional characters
- Flavia Gemina, a character in The Roman Mysteries
- Princess Flavia, a character in The Prisoner of Zenda and its sequel Rupert of Hentzau
- Flavia de Luce, a character in the Alan Bradley mystery series
- Flavia, a character from the Latin textbook Ecce Romani