Declining since 1985, #4,707 for boys today.
Popularity of Alphonso since 1880
Babies named Alphonso per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1962, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Alphonso's real moment was 1900.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 54 |
| 1890s | 83 |
| 1900s | 206 |
| 1910s | 765 |
| 1920s | 1,120 |
| 1930s | 1,276 |
| 1940s | 1,648 |
| 1950s | 2,768 |
| 1960s | 2,488 |
| 1970s | 1,615 |
| 1980s | 1,295 |
| 1990s | 939 |
| 2000s | 508 |
| 2010s | 301 |
| 2020s | 121 |
Meaning & origin
Alphonso is a strong, historical name with Germanic roots filtered through Spanish and Italian royalty. In the U.S., it was most popular in the early 1900s, peaking in 1900 when it ranked 4,707. Since 1985, its usage has been steadily falling, and currently about 1 in 81,337 boys receives the name each year. Despite its royal pedigree, Alphonso has become a rare choice, appealing to parents drawn to traditional names with a bit of vintage flair.
Alphonso is the Spanish and Italian form of the Germanic name Alfonso, derived from the elements 'adal' meaning noble and 'funs' meaning ready. It was borne by several Spanish and Portuguese kings and has been in use since the Middle Ages, spreading to other European cultures.
Where Alphonso is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Al, Fonzie, Phonso
Sibling names for Alphonso
Names that share Alphonso's style, for a brother or sister.
