Holding steady.
Popularity of Zilphia since 1888
Babies named Zilphia per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1920, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Zilphia's real moment was 1888.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 5 |
| 1890s | 6 |
| 1900s | 23 |
| 1910s | 55 |
| 1920s | 80 |
| 1930s | 13 |
| 1940s | 11 |
| 1950s | 6 |
| 1960s | 0 |
| 1970s | 0 |
| 1980s | 0 |
| 1990s | 0 |
| 2000s | 0 |
| 2010s | 0 |
| 2020s | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Zilphia is an exceptionally rare name that first entered U.S. birth records in 1888, its singular peak year, and has remained virtually unused since. The name ranks among the least common of the 1880s, with no recorded usage in recent decades. Its exact origin is unclear, but it is generally considered a feminine elaboration of the biblical Zilpah. Zilphia has no known top states of popularity, reflecting its scarcity. The name's trajectory has been stable at near-zero frequency, making it a true rarity even among vintage names.
Zilphia is likely an elaboration or feminine form of Zilpah, the name of Leah's maidservant in the Book of Genesis (meaning uncertain, possibly 'drooping'). In the 19th century, Zilphia emerged in English-speaking countries, particularly in the United States, as a rare given name, possibly influenced by the popularity of other '-phia' endings like Sophia. It has never been widely used, with its peak recorded in 1888, the year it first appeared in U.S. Social Security data.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Zil, Phia, Zilly
Sibling names for Zilphia
Names that share Zilphia's style, for a brother or sister.
