Allegra
/əˈlɛɡrə/noun
A feminine given name derived from the Italian word for cheerful or lively.
Did you know?The name was famously used by Lord Byron for his daughter, drawing on the Italian word allegra, meaning “cheerful” or “lively.”
Etymological Timeline
Classical Latin
Latin
alacer
“Lively, brisk, cheerful, or spirited”
Medieval Latin
Latin
alacer
“A continuing literary source for words describing animated or joyful behavior”
14th–16th Century
Italian
allegro
“Cheerful, lively, or joyful; later also a direction for fast, spirited musical performance”
Modern Italian
Italian
allegra
“Feminine form of allegro: cheerful, lively, or joyful”
19th Century–Present
English
Allegra
“Adopted as a feminine personal name, notably used by Lord Byron for his daughter”
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