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The short answer
Felix is a masculine name from a Roman cognomen meaning "lucky, successful" in Latin. Behind the Name records that it was taken as a nickname by the 1st-century BC general Sulla and that a governor of Judea named Felix imprisoned Saint Paul in the New Testament. Its favourable meaning made it popular among early Christians, including many saints and four popes. It has been used in England since the Middle Ages but has been more popular on the European continent; the composer Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1847) is a notable bearer. Pronounced FEE-liks in English, it ranked #175 for boys in the United States in 2025.
Meaning and etymology
Behind the Name gives Felix as "from a Roman cognomen meaning 'lucky, successful' in Latin". It "was acquired as an agnomen, or nickname, by the 1st-century BC Roman general Sulla" and "also appears in the New Testament belonging to the governor of Judea who imprisoned Saint Paul". The entry adds that, "due to its favourable meaning, this name was popular among early Christians, being borne by many early saints and four popes", that it has been used in England since the Middle Ages though it has been more popular in continental Europe, and names the German composer Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1847) as a notable bearer. The English pronunciation is /ˈfi.lɪks/. Forms in other languages include Félix (French, Spanish, Portuguese, Hungarian), Felice (Italian), Feliks (Polish, Russian, Slovene), Feliu (Catalan) and Phelix (Biblical Greek).
Editorial confidence: established
Linguistic roots
| Language | Form | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Latin | felix | lucky, successful |
Popularity
Felix ranked #175 for boys in the United States in 2025 (Social Security Administration). Behind the Name notes that historically the name has been more popular in continental Europe than in England. No other national rankings were checked in this pass.
| Region | Year | Rank | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 2025 | #175 | ssa-2025 |
Nicknames, variants, and related names
Nicknames: None documented.
Variants: Félix
Related names: Felice, Feliks, Feliu, Phelix
What the name feels like
Felix is a vintage classic with an unusually upbeat sound: the x ending gives it energy, and its transparent Latin meaning makes it one of the few traditional names that reads as cheerful. It suits parents who want something old and international without a saint's-name heaviness.
Style tags: Latin, vintage classic, two syllables, x ending, positive meaning
Editorial interpretation: These style impressions are editorial opinion, not linguistic fact. Behind the Name lists no nicknames for Felix; Félix is listed as the same spelling with an accent rather than as a distinct variant.
If you like this name
Names that share Felix's Roman roots, its vintage charm or its sound.
Similar by origin
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Frequently asked questions
What does the name Felix mean?
Felix means "lucky, successful" in Latin. Behind the Name describes it as a Roman cognomen, later a nickname of the general Sulla.
Is Felix a popular name?
Felix ranked #175 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, according to Social Security Administration data.
Is Felix a biblical name?
Yes. Behind the Name notes that Felix appears in the New Testament as the governor of Judea who imprisoned Saint Paul, and that the name was later borne by many early saints and four popes.
Sources
- Behind the Name: Meaning, origin and history of the name Felix — supports etymology, meaning, history, pronunciation, other-language forms, Mendelssohn.
- U.S. Social Security Administration: Popular Baby Names — national data, year of birth 2025 — supports popularity.
