Felix

Felix is one of the few names that is still an ordinary Latin word. Felix described a person on whom fortune smiled, and the name has carried that hopeful sense ever since. Reference works phrase it slightly differently: Behind the Name gives 'lucky, successful', while Wiktionary leans towards 'happy' or 'lucky'. The Latin word covered both ideas, so neither reading is wrong.

The Romans used Felix as a cognomen, an extra name added to someone's family name, rather than as a first name. Early Christians liked its cheerful meaning, and it was borne by several early saints and four popes. Behind the Name notes that it has been used in England since the Middle Ages, though it was long more common on the Continent, where it took local shapes such as Félix in France and Spain, Felice in Italy and Feliks in Poland.

In British English it is said FEE-liks, with the stress on the first syllable, whereas German and Dutch speakers say FAY-liks. The spelling never changes in English, which keeps it simple to write and easy to recognise abroad.

Because Felix is short and finishes on a crisp x, a longer middle name balances it nicely: Felix Alexander, Felix Benedict or Felix Edward. Brothers such as Hugo, Jonah or Oscar share its classic feel, and sisters named Clara, Iris or Matilda sit comfortably beside it.