A 1890s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Alphonsus since 1883
Babies named Alphonsus per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1917, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Alphonsus's real moment was 1892.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 22 |
| 1890s | 30 |
| 1900s | 11 |
| 1910s | 93 |
| 1920s | 136 |
| 1930s | 45 |
| 1940s | 29 |
| 1950s | 16 |
| 1960s | 16 |
| 1970s | 10 |
| 1980s | 0 |
| 1990s | 0 |
| 2000s | 0 |
| 2010s | 6 |
| 2020s | 40 |
Meaning & origin
Alphonsus is a rare but enduring masculine name with deep historical roots. First recorded in the U.S. in 1883, it experienced its peak popularity in 1892, reflecting the fashion for Latinized formal names among Catholic families in the late 19th century. By 2025, it had become exceedingly uncommon, given to just 1 in 244,011 newborns, but its trajectory has been rising since 2017, suggesting a modest revival. The name's Germanic origins tie it to royalty and saintliness, making it a distinctive choice for parents seeking a traditional, weighty name with religious and noble connotations.
Alphonsus is the Latinized form of Alfonso, itself from the Germanic name Alfons, derived from the elements 'adal' (noble) and 'funsi' (ready or prepared). The name spread through the Visigothic nobility into Spain and Portugal, where it became a royal name. Saint Alphonsus Liguori, an 18th-century Italian bishop and theologian, further cemented its use in Catholic Europe.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Alfie, Al, Phons, Fons
Sibling names for Alphonsus
Names that share Alphonsus's style, for a brother or sister.
