Holding steady.
Popularity of Alphus since 1916
Babies named Alphus per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1910s | 19 |
| 1920s | 41 |
| 1930s | 45 |
| 1940s | 10 |
| 1950s | 6 |
| 1960s | 0 |
| 1970s | 0 |
| 1980s | 0 |
| 1990s | 0 |
| 2000s | 0 |
| 2010s | 0 |
| 2020s | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Alphus is a rare masculine name that first appeared in U.S. records in 1916, reflecting a brief peak that same year. It never reached the top 1,000 rankings, and the peak year of 1916 saw only a handful of births. Recent data shows fewer than five births annually, indicating extremely limited usage. The name's meaning is tied to the Greek letter Alpha, suggesting a theme of beginnings or primacy. Despite its obscurity, Alphus fits a pattern of early 20th-century American name creation, where traditional roots were adapted with novel endings.
Alphus is most likely a vernacular or American variant of the Greek name Alpha, derived from the first letter of the Greek alphabet (ἄλφα). It emerged in the early 20th century, possibly as a creative respelling to give a masculine-sounding ending. The name saw minimal use, primarily in the United States, and has remained extremely rare.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Al, Alfie
Sibling names for Alphus
Names that share Alphus's style, for a brother or sister.
