lidia

Lidia (also Lydia) is primarily a feminine given name of Italian origin, derived from Lydia, the ancient region in western Asia Minor. The name became common in parts of Europe and the Americas through classical and Christian influences, and is often associated with the historical and biblical Lydia, described in the Acts of the Apostles as a seller of purple who welcomed Paul and his companions in Philippi.

The ancient kingdom of Lydia occupied the western coast of Anatolia, with its core around Sardis. It flourished from the late Iron Age into the early classical period and is notable for issuing some of the first coins in the ancient world. The Lydian language, the ancient language of the Lydians, is attested in inscriptions from approximately the 6th to the 1st centuries BCE.

In modern times, Lidia remains a common female name in Italy and among Italian communities abroad, with many variants in other languages (e.g., Lydia in English, Lydie in French). Notable people include Lidia Bastianich, an Italian-American chef and television host, and Lidia Yuknavitch, an American writer.