Sophia Girl
soh-FEE-uh
“wisdom” · Greek
#5
Philomena
GirlGreek· “loved, beloved (Greek)”
- Meaning
- loved, beloved (Greek)
- Origin
- Greek
- Pronunciation
- fih-luh-MEE-nuh
- Syllables
- 4
- US rank 2025
- #1,920
- US babies 2025
- 101
- Best rank
- #355 (1915)
- Peak year
- 1922
Meaning and origin of Philomena
Philomena is a Greek name that is usually said to mean “loved, beloved (Greek)”.
Philomena comes from Greek, often explained as loved or beloved, from philos, meaning friend or dear, though some sources connect it to menos, strength. The name is best known through Saint Philomena, a young martyr whose relics were found in the Roman catacombs, and whose cult spread in the nineteenth century. The name is used in Ireland and among Catholic families elsewhere. It is pronounced fih-luh-MEE-nuh. Philly, Mena and Minnie are familiar nicknames. The name has a gentle, vintage charm.
Other spellings with the same sound: Filomena.
Popularity over time
Philomena has been given to babies in the United States since at least 1880, the first year of Social Security records. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 63 different years. Its best national rank was #355 in 1915, and the most babies received it in 1922, when 308 were named Philomena. In 2025, 101 babies were named Philomena, and it ranked #1,920 nationally. That is 30% more than ten years earlier, so it is clearly on the rise.
Its national rank moved from #404 in 1920, #1,209 in 1950, #8,795 in 1980, #6,410 in 2000, #4,708 in 2010, and #1,920 in 2025. Of the 9,951 US girls named Philomena since records began, 27% were born in the 1920s, its biggest decade. The 1910s come next, with 2,071 babies. Since 2010, 1,203 more have been named Philomena.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Marietta, Dortha, Marjory, Lorine, and Reva.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Philomena ranked highest in Ohio, Virginia, and Pennsylvania.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio | #946 | 10 |
| Virginia | #1015 | 7 |
| Pennsylvania | #1355 | 6 |
| Texas | #2007 | 11 |
| New York | #2341 | 5 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Philomena is usually pronounced fih-luh-MEE-nuh, with four syllables. It has nine letters, starts with P and ends in “-na”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Filomena.
Middle names for Philomena
A few middle names that flow with Philomena: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Philomena
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Lists that include Philomena
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Philomena mean?
Philomena is a Greek name that is usually said to mean “loved, beloved (Greek)”.
What is the origin of the name Philomena?
Philomena has Greek roots. Philomena comes from Greek, often explained as loved or beloved, from philos, meaning friend or dear, though some sources connect it to menos, strength.
Is Philomena a popular name?
Not especially. Philomena ranked #1,920 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Philomena a boy or girl name?
Philomena is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Philomena?
Philomena is usually pronounced fih-luh-MEE-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