Allegra

Allegra is a female name of Greek origin (in the modern understanding, it has been borrowed from Latin, which in turn borrowed it from the Greek language). Several versions of its meaning exist. The most widespread one is that the name derives from the combination of two Greek words "αλληλού" (allelou – "to all" or "of each other") and "-γραῖα" (-g-raia – "old," "centenarian"), yielding the meaning "centuries of joy" or "bliss of all." Another version connects it to the name of the character Glaukireia from the Orpheus story. After the death of Eurydice, Glaukireia lived in the forest with the shepherds and played the lyre, inspiring them to dance. From this, the name might mean "joy of the forest" or "joy of the shepherds." The name Allegra became known in Russian-speaking countries through Italian and Spanish, and later via French. In Russia and the CIS, it gained popularity relatively recently, from the end of the 20th century, and is increasingly popular today. Allegra is a name that parents searching for a unique, yet not overly exotic, name that combines melodiousness and memorability are currently looking for. Characteristic traits associated with the name Allegra include independence, creative thinking, originality, a love for freedom and nature, as well as being sunlike and optimistic. People with this name are often perceived as energetic, passionate about their interests, and possessing a sense of humor. Known bearers of the name Allegra abroad include the taxonomist Louis Allais (Louis Allais, a French economist and writer, although his name is often pronounced differently), as well as modern celebrities, such as the French actress Lili Allegra Cristi (Lily Allégretti), though in the Russian-speaking sphere, there are no widely recognized famous bearers of this name yet. Variants and diminutives for the name Allegra can include: Alla (Allucha), Lera (Lerka), Lenka, Lika, and in some cases, Liza.