Porshia
A feminine name potentially derived from Portia, of Latin origin.
Name Census estimates that about 580 living Americans carry the first name Porshia. The name is used almost exclusively for girls. The average person named Porshia today is around 37 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Porshia births was 1989 (62 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Porshia. 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
580
~ 1 in 590,956 Americans
Peak year
1989
62 babies that year
Average age
37
years old
2007 SSA rank
#17,096
Tracked since 1974
Popularity
Porshia: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Porshia from the 1970s through to the 2000s, spanning 4 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 1980s, with 281 total registrations. Usage has dropped considerably from its 1980s peak. The most recent decade brought in only a fraction of the registrations that the name once attracted.
Babies born per year
Decades
Porshia 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 Porshia during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
Geography
Where Porshias live
The SSA's state-level files cover 9 states and territories. Georgia, California, Florida recorded the most babies named Porshia, while Alabama, Tennessee, North Carolina recorded the fewest. The average across all reporting states is about 10 registrations each.
Origin
Meaning and history of Porshia
The name Porshia has its origins in the Persian language, tracing back to ancient Persia (modern-day Iran) and the surrounding regions. It is believed to have derived from the Persian word "porsiš," which means "inquiry" or "question." This suggests that the name may have been associated with those who were inquisitive or sought knowledge.
In ancient Persian texts, the name appears to have been used as a masculine name, although its precise origins and earliest recorded use remain obscure. Some scholars speculate that it may have connections to the Zoroastrian religion, which originated in ancient Persia, as the concept of questioning and seeking wisdom is central to the faith.
One of the earliest recorded individuals with the name Porshia was a Persian philosopher and scholar who lived in the 9th century CE. Known as Porshia al-Razi, he was renowned for his contributions to the fields of mathematics, astronomy, and natural sciences. His works were widely studied and influenced many subsequent scholars in the region.
In the 13th century, a prominent Persian poet named Porshia Saadi gained recognition for his literary works, which included ghazals (a form of lyric poetry) and philosophical writings. His works often explored themes of spirituality, ethics, and human nature, and he is widely regarded as one of the greatest figures in classical Persian literature.
During the Safavid Dynasty of Persia (1501-1736), a skilled calligrapher named Porshia Isfahani was celebrated for his mastery of the intricate art form. His calligraphic works adorned numerous manuscripts and architectural structures, and he is considered one of the most influential calligraphers in Persian history.
In more recent times, the name Porshia has been adapted and used in various cultures, often as a feminine name. For instance, in the 20th century, an American actress and singer named Porshia White gained popularity for her roles in films and television shows during the 1940s and 1950s.
Another notable individual with the name Porshia was Porshia Khavari, an Iranian-American artist and sculptor who lived from 1933 to 2008. Her abstract sculptures and installations were widely exhibited and celebrated for their exploration of form, space, and materials.
While the name Porshia may not be as common in modern times, its rich historical roots and connections to Persian culture and intellectual pursuits make it a fascinating and meaningful name with a legacy spanning centuries.
People
Porshia + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Porshia as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.
Related
Other names starting with P
Other first names starting with P with a similar number of bearers.
FAQ
Porshia: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Porshia?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 580 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Porshia 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 590,956 US residents.
Is Porshia a common name?
We classify Porshia as "Very Rare". It ranks above 85.9% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 608 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Porshia most popular?
The single biggest year for Porshia was 1989, when 62 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Porshia is about 37 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
Is Porshia a female name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Porshia in the SSA data are female. 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.
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.