Memphys
A name of Greek origin meaning "born in Memphis".
Name Census estimates that about 111 living Americans carry the first name Memphys. It appears on both sides of the gender split, with 52.7% of registrations being male. The average person named Memphys today is around 7 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Memphys births was 2023 (20 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Memphys. Below you will find a gender breakdown showing how the name splits between male and female registrations, a year-by-year popularity chart stretching back to 1880, decade-level totals, the top US states for this name, its meaning and etymology, and a set of frequently asked questions with data-backed answers.
People living today
111
~ 1 in 3,087,877 Americans
Peak year
2023
20 babies that year
Average age
7
years old
2023 SSA rank
#11,765
Tracked since 2008
Gender
Gender distribution for Memphys
Memphys is one of the more evenly split names in the SSA data. Of the 112 total registrations, 59 (52.7%) were male and 53 (47.3%) were female.
Memphys as a male name
- Ranked #11,765 in 2023
- 6 male births in 2023
- Peak: 2020 (8 births)
Memphys as a female name
- Ranked #14,625 in 2024
- 6 female births in 2024
- Peak: 2023 (14 births)
Popularity
Memphys: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Memphys from the 2000s through to the 2020s, spanning 3 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 2020s, with 75 total registrations. The name continues to be given at rates close to its all-time high, suggesting it has not yet fallen out of fashion.
Babies born per year
Decades
Memphys by decade
The table below breaks the full SSA timeline into ten-year windows. Each row shows how many male and female babies were given the name Memphys during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
Origin
Meaning and history of Memphys
The name Memphys traces its linguistic origins to ancient Egypt, where it was derived from the city of Memphis, one of the oldest and most significant urban centers in the region. The city's name itself is believed to have originated from the ancient Egyptian words "men-nefer," meaning "enduring and beautiful." This connection suggests that the name Memphys may have been borne by individuals associated with the city or its cultural and religious significance.
In ancient Egyptian mythology, Memphis was revered as a sacred site dedicated to the god Ptah, the creator deity and patron of artisans and craftsmen. This association imbued the name Memphys with a sense of reverence and cultural importance, potentially signaling the bearer's connection to the arts, craftsmanship, or religious traditions.
The earliest recorded instances of the name Memphys can be traced back to the Old Kingdom period of ancient Egypt, around the third millennium BCE. However, precise historical references are scarce, as the name was relatively uncommon and may have been overshadowed by more prevalent Egyptian names of the time.
One notable figure who bore the name Memphys was a high-ranking official and scribe during the reign of Pharaoh Amenhotep III in the 14th century BCE. This individual played a crucial role in documenting the grand construction projects and religious ceremonies of the era, providing a valuable historical record of the time.
In the realm of literature and mythology, the name Memphys is mentioned in several ancient Egyptian texts and inscriptions, although the specific references are often obscure or open to interpretation. Some scholars suggest that the name may have been associated with certain mythological figures or deities, further reinforcing its spiritual and cultural significance.
As the Egyptian civilization gave way to other empires and cultures, the name Memphys gradually faded from widespread use. However, it occasionally resurfaced throughout history, carried by individuals with diverse backgrounds and occupations.
One such figure was Memphys of Anatolia, a renowned philosopher and scholar who lived in the 5th century CE. His writings on metaphysics and the nature of reality garnered significant attention and influenced subsequent generations of thinkers.
In the 11th century, a Byzantine monk named Memphys gained notoriety for his ascetic lifestyle and devotion to spiritual pursuits. His teachings and writings on the virtues of monastic life inspired many followers and contributed to the development of Eastern Christian traditions.
During the Renaissance period, Memphys Allesandri, an Italian artist and architect born in 1472, left a lasting mark on the cultural landscape of Florence. His intricate frescoes and innovative architectural designs showcased a mastery of the arts that resonated with the name's ancient Egyptian associations.
Another notable figure was Memphys Durand, a French explorer and cartographer who lived from 1621 to 1688. His pioneering maps and detailed accounts of his expeditions to North America and the Caribbean provided invaluable insights into the geography and cultures of the New World.
While the name Memphys may have faded from common usage over the centuries, its rich historical tapestry serves as a testament to the enduring influence of ancient Egyptian culture and the diverse individuals who carried this distinctive name throughout the ages.
People
Memphys + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Memphys as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.
Related
Other names starting with M
Other first names starting with M with a similar number of bearers.
FAQ
Memphys: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Memphys?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 111 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Memphys going back to 1880 and adjusting each cohort for expected survival using CDC actuarial life tables. The result is an age-weighted living-bearer count, not a raw birth total. That works out to about 1 in 3,087,877 US residents.
Is Memphys a common name?
We classify Memphys as "Very Rare". It ranks above 66.1% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 112 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Memphys most popular?
The single biggest year for Memphys was 2023, when 20 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Memphys is about 7 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
What does the SSA popularity chart show?
The chart tracks births, not the number of people alive with the name today. Each point shows how many babies were given the name Memphys in that year. That makes it useful for spotting when the name rose, peaked, or faded.
Is Memphys a male name?
Yes, 52.7% of people registered as Memphys in the SSA data are male. You can see the full per-sex comparison in the gender distribution section above, which includes the latest year rank, birth count, and peak year for each sex.
Is Memphys still being used today?
Yes. The SSA still recorded Memphys in 2024, and the page above shows its latest-year rank where available. A name can be well past its peak and still remain in steady use, especially if it built up a large population over earlier decades.
Why can a name have a lot of living bearers even if it is not trendy now?
Because living-bearer counts and current baby-name popularity measure different things. A name like Memphys can build up a very large population over many decades, even if fewer parents are choosing it now than they did at its peak.
Where does this data come from?
First-name figures come from the Social Security Administration's national baby name files, which cover every name on a birth certificate from 1880 to 2024. Living-bearer estimates layer in CDC actuarial life tables broken out by sex to account for mortality. The population baseline (342,754,338) is the Census Bureau's latest national estimate. You can read the full calculation on our methodology page.
Does every first name have Census demographic data?
No. The public Census first-name release only covers names that met the Bureau's publication rules, so many rarer names in the SSA files do not have a published Census demographic snapshot. In those cases, the page still shows the SSA trend, gender history, and state data.
How many people have Memphys as a first name?
If you just want to know how many people have the name Memphys, HowManyOfMe.org gives you the headline number in one glance.