Holding steady.
Popularity of Alfonsa since 1919
Babies named Alfonsa per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1947, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Alfonsa's real moment was 1933.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 1910s | 0 | 5 |
| 1920s | 11 | 11 |
| 1930s | 0 | 20 |
| 1940s | 0 | 47 |
| 1950s | 0 | 37 |
| 1960s | 0 | 13 |
| 1970s | 0 | 11 |
| 1980s | 0 | 0 |
| 1990s | 0 | 0 |
| 2000s | 0 | 0 |
| 2010s | 0 | 0 |
| 2020s | 0 | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Alfonsa is a feminine name of Spanish and Italian origin, derived from the Visigothic Adalfuns, meaning 'noble and ready.' It shares roots with the more common Alfonso and its variants. According to Social Security data, Alfonsa first appeared in U.S. records in 1919 but has never ranked among the top names. Its peak year was 1933, during the 1930s decade, when a modest number of girls received the name. Since then, usage has remained stable but very low, with fewer than one in a million births in recent years. The name is most strongly associated with Saint Alfonsa of the Immaculate Conception, adding cultural and religious depth. While not widely used in the United States today, Alfonsa retains a classic, dignified feel and may appeal to families honoring heritage or seeking a rare name with royal history.
Alfonsa is the feminine form of Alfonso, which derives from the Visigothic name Adalfuns, composed of elements meaning 'noble' and 'ready' or 'eager'. The name was borne by several Spanish and Italian royals and saints, including Saint Alfonsa of the Immaculate Conception (1910-1946), the first Indian-born woman canonized by the Catholic Church. The name has been in use in Spanish-speaking countries since the Middle Ages.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Alfi, Fonsa, Alfon
Sibling names for Alfonsa
Names that share Alfonsa's style, for a brother or sister.
