Holding steady.
Popularity of Philena since 1884
Babies named Philena per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1919, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Philena's real moment was 1884.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 5 |
| 1890s | 5 |
| 1900s | 5 |
| 1910s | 36 |
| 1920s | 36 |
| 1930s | 0 |
| 1940s | 0 |
| 1950s | 0 |
| 1960s | 5 |
| 1970s | 14 |
| 1980s | 26 |
| 1990s | 0 |
| 2000s | 11 |
| 2010s | 0 |
| 2020s | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Philena is a 19th-century Greek-derived name meaning 'lover of mankind,' first recorded in the United States in 1884. That same year was its peak of usage, though it never entered the top 1,000 names and has since become exceedingly uncommon. The name's trajectory has been stable but low, and it saw no significant revival in recent decades. While it was not recorded in any top states during its brief period of use, it reflects the Victorian fashion for classical names like Philomena and Celestina. For parents drawn to vintage Greek names with a gentle sound, Philena offers a distinctive alternative to more common choices like Elena or Lila, though it remains a rarity.
Philena is a variant of Philina, which derives from the Greek "philein" (to love) and "anēr" (man). It emerged in the 19th century as part of a trend of Greek-derived names, occasionally used in the United States. Its usage peaked in 1884, and it has since become rare.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Lena, Phila
Sibling names for Philena
Names that share Philena's style, for a brother or sister.
