Sophia Girl
soh-FEE-uh
“wisdom” · Greek
#5
Filomena
GirlItalian, Spanish· “beloved”
- Meaning
- beloved
- Origin
- Italian, Spanish
- Pronunciation
- fee-loh-MEH-nuh
- Syllables
- 4
- US rank 2025
- #4,485
- US babies 2025
- 31
- Best rank
- #427 (1907)
- Peak year
- 1923
Meaning and origin of Filomena
Filomena is an Italian and Spanish name that is usually said to mean “beloved”.
Filomena is the Italian, Spanish and Portuguese form of Philomena, from the Greek philoumene, loved. Saint Philomena was venerated widely in the nineteenth century after bones found in the Roman catacombs were identified as hers, though her historical details are uncertain. The name spread through Catholic communities in Italy, Ireland and Latin America in that period. Filomena is said fee-loh-MEH-nuh in Italian, and fil-uh-MEE-nuh in English. Mena and Filo are possible short forms. Today it has a warm, old-world charm.
Other spellings with the same sound: Philomena.
Popularity over time
Filomena first appears in US Social Security records in 1885. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 45 different years, starting in 1888. Its best national rank was #427 in 1907, and the most babies received it in 1923, when 207 were named Filomena. In 2025, 31 babies were named Filomena, and it ranked #4,485 nationally. That is 41% more than ten years earlier, so it is clearly on the rise.
Its national rank moved from #534 in 1920, #2,281 in 1950, #5,326 in 1980, #10,165 in 2000, #12,686 in 2010, and #4,485 in 2025. Of the 5,550 US girls named Filomena since records began, 28% were born in the 1920s, its biggest decade. The 1910s come next, with 1,231 babies. Since 2010, 375 more have been named Filomena.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Manuela, Verla, Magdalene, Hellen, and Vernice.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Filomena ranked highest in New York.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| New York | #2204 | 5 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Filomena is usually pronounced fee-loh-MEH-nuh, with four syllables. It has eight letters, starts with F and ends in “-na”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Philomena.
Middle names for Filomena
A few middle names that flow with Filomena: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Filomena
Similar names
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Lists that include Filomena
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Filomena mean?
Filomena is an Italian and Spanish name that is usually said to mean “beloved”.
What is the origin of the name Filomena?
Filomena has Italian, Spanish, and Greek roots. Filomena is the Italian, Spanish and Portuguese form of Philomena, from the Greek philoumene, loved.
Is Filomena a popular name?
Not especially. Filomena ranked #4,485 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Filomena a boy or girl name?
Filomena is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Filomena?
Filomena is usually pronounced fee-loh-MEH-nuh. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings