Holding steady.
Popularity of Zelphia since 1886
Babies named Zelphia per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1921, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Zelphia's real moment was 1886.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 5 |
| 1890s | 6 |
| 1900s | 41 |
| 1910s | 81 |
| 1920s | 126 |
| 1930s | 65 |
| 1940s | 28 |
| 1950s | 33 |
| 1960s | 18 |
| 1970s | 11 |
| 1980s | 0 |
| 1990s | 0 |
| 2000s | 0 |
| 2010s | 0 |
| 2020s | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Zelphia is a rare American name first recorded in 1886, a peak year that also marks its only notable usage. It has never ranked among the top 1,000 names, reflecting its status as a highly uncommon choice. The name's trajectory has been stable with virtually no change over time, and it has no recorded top states or famous bearers. Its obscurity and lack of clear etymology make it a curious relic of 19th-century naming practices, possibly a coined feminine form influenced by the popular -phia suffix.
Zelphia first appeared in the United States in the 1880s, likely as a coined feminine name. It may have been influenced by names such as Zilpah (a biblical name of Hebrew origin) or by the popular -phia suffix seen in names like Sophronia. Its usage has been rare and sporadic, with no clear etymological root in any language.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Zel, Phia
Sibling names for Zelphia
Names that share Zelphia's style, for a brother or sister.
