Holding steady.
Popularity of Zilpha since 1880
Babies named Zilpha per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1918, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Zilpha's real moment was 1888.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 62 |
| 1890s | 89 |
| 1900s | 84 |
| 1910s | 157 |
| 1920s | 113 |
| 1930s | 42 |
| 1940s | 23 |
| 1950s | 0 |
| 1960s | 0 |
| 1970s | 0 |
| 1980s | 0 |
| 1990s | 0 |
| 2000s | 0 |
| 2010s | 0 |
| 2020s | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Despite its biblical roots, Zilpha never achieved widespread popularity. It reached its peak in 1888, but has since faded from common use; as of 2025 it remains unranked. The name's trajectory suggests a stable but minimal presence, with no signs of revival. With no top states on record, Zilpha remains a rare choice, favored mostly by those seeking a distinctive Old Testament name.
Zilpha is likely a variant of Zilpah, a name appearing in the Old Testament as the handmaid of Leah and mother of Gad and Asher. The Hebrew root may relate to 'zalaph' meaning 'to drip' or 'to be frail,' though the exact meaning is uncertain. The name saw modest use in the 19th century, particularly in the United States, and has since declined.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Zil, Zillie, Phil
Variants: Zilpah, Zilfah
Sibling names for Zilpha
Names that share Zilpha's style, for a brother or sister.
