Rising since 2004, #4,352 for girls today.
Popularity of Apphia since 1983
Babies named Apphia per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1980s | 26 |
| 1990s | 0 |
| 2000s | 17 |
| 2010s | 92 |
| 2020s | 122 |
Meaning & origin
Apphia is a rare biblical name with a delicate sound and ancient roots. First recorded in modern U.S. data in 1983, it has experienced a slow but steady rise in usage, reaching its peak rank of 4,352 in 2023, with a frequency of 1 in 50,227 births that year. The name's trajectory has been consistently upward since 2004, reflecting growing interest in obscure New Testament names. Apphia has not been associated with any particular U.S. state, as its numbers remain too small for reliable geographic trends. Its appeal lies in its gentle sound and early Christian heritage, offering a distinctive choice without being unfamiliar.
Apphia appears in the New Testament as a woman greeted by Paul in the Epistle to Philemon. The name's etymology is debated; it may be a Hellenized form of a Semitic name or derived from Greek 'aphe' (gentleness). It was used in early Christian communities but remained rare until modern revivals.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Appy, Fia
Variants: Appia
Sibling names for Apphia
Names that share Apphia's style, for a brother or sister.
