A 1900s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Delphia since 1880
Babies named Delphia per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1924, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Delphia's real moment was 1901.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 125 |
| 1890s | 283 |
| 1900s | 397 |
| 1910s | 822 |
| 1920s | 938 |
| 1930s | 547 |
| 1940s | 366 |
| 1950s | 335 |
| 1960s | 224 |
| 1970s | 109 |
| 1980s | 47 |
| 1990s | 11 |
| 2000s | 5 |
| 2010s | 27 |
| 2020s | 15 |
Meaning & origin
Delphia is a rare and somewhat archaic feminine name of Greek origin, most likely related to the city of Delphi or the Greek word for dolphin. It was most popular in the early 1900s, reaching its peak rank of 9457 in 1901. After decades of decline, the name has shown a slight upward trend since 2022, possibly due to a revival of vintage names. Today, Delphia remains uncommon, with only about 1 in every 160,727 babies given the name in 2025. Its sound fits alongside other revivalist choices like Cordelia and Ophelia, though it lacks the familiarity of more common names. While its exact origin is debated, Delphia carries a classic, almost mythological feel.
Delphia's exact etymology is uncertain. It is thought to be a feminine elaboration of the Greek name Delphos, which itself is associated with the city of Delphi, the site of the famous oracle. The name may also be connected to the Greek word for "dolphin" (delphis). Delphia saw modest use in the United States in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, peaking in 1901, and has experienced a very slight revival in recent years.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Del, Dell, Delly, Phee
Sibling names for Delphia
Names that share Delphia's style, for a brother or sister.
