Synthia
A feminine name derived from the French word "synthèse," meaning "combination" or "synthesis."
Name Census estimates that about 2,090 living Americans carry the first name Synthia. The name is used almost exclusively for girls. The average person named Synthia today is around 44 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Synthia births was 1965 (67 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Synthia. 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
2.1K
~ 1 in 163,997 Americans
Peak year
1965
67 babies that year
Average age
44
years old
2024 SSA rank
#10,966
Tracked since 1890
Popularity
Synthia: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Synthia from the 1890s through to the 2020s, spanning 11 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 1960s, with 511 total registrations. Usage has dropped considerably from its 1960s peak. The most recent decade brought in only a fraction of the registrations that the name once attracted.
Babies born per year
Decades
Synthia 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 Synthia during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
Geography
Where Synthias live
The SSA's state-level files cover 8 states and territories. California, Texas, New York recorded the most babies named Synthia, while Illinois, Ohio, Georgia recorded the fewest. The average across all reporting states is about 64 registrations each.
Origin
Meaning and history of Synthia
The name Synthia originates from the ancient Greek language, tracing its roots back to the classical period of the 5th century BC. It is believed to be derived from the Greek word "synthesis," which means a combination or composition. This etymology suggests that the name may have been associated with the concept of unity or bringing different elements together harmoniously.
In ancient Greek mythology, there are no specific references to a figure named Synthia. However, the name's connection to the concept of synthesis aligns with the philosophical and intellectual pursuits of the ancient Greeks, who valued the integration of knowledge and the pursuit of wisdom.
The earliest recorded instances of the name Synthia can be found in ancient Greek texts and historical records, though its usage was relatively rare. It is worth noting that variations in spelling, such as "Syntheia" or "Syntheia," may have existed during the classical era.
Throughout history, a few notable individuals have borne the name Synthia. One of the earliest examples is Synthia of Cyzicus, a Greek philosopher and scholar who lived in the 3rd century BC. She was known for her contributions to the study of ethics and her writings on the nature of virtue.
In the 2nd century AD, there was Synthia of Alexandria, a renowned mathematician and astronomer. She is credited with developing advanced methods for calculating the positions of celestial bodies and contributing to the field of trigonometry.
During the Renaissance period, Synthia Aretino (1492-1556) was an Italian poet and humanist scholar. Her works, which often explored themes of love and nature, were highly regarded by her contemporaries.
In the 19th century, Synthia Trent (1825-1892) was a British author and social reformer. She wrote extensively on issues related to women's rights and education, advocating for greater opportunities and equality.
Another notable figure was Synthia Delaunay (1885-1979), a French artist and painter associated with the Orphism and Cubist movements. Her vibrant and abstract works, characterized by bold colors and geometric shapes, earned her recognition as a pioneering figure in modern art.
While the name Synthia has not been as widely popular as some other names throughout history, it has a rich and fascinating etymology rooted in ancient Greek culture and intellectual traditions. Its connection to the concept of synthesis and the pursuit of knowledge and harmony has made it a unique and intriguing choice for individuals seeking a name with deeper meaning and historical significance.
People
Synthia + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Synthia as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.
Related
Other names starting with S
Other first names starting with S with a similar number of bearers.
FAQ
Synthia: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Synthia?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 2,090 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Synthia 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 163,997 US residents.
Is Synthia a common name?
We classify Synthia as "Rare". It ranks above 93.9% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 2,421 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Synthia most popular?
The single biggest year for Synthia was 1965, when 67 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Synthia is about 44 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
Is Synthia a female name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Synthia 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.