Zylpha
A feminine name of unknown origin and uncertain meaning.
Name Census estimates that about 1 living Americans carry the first name Zylpha. The name is used almost exclusively for girls. The average person named Zylpha today is around 105 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Zylpha births was 1910 (8 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Zylpha. 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.
Key insights
- • The typical person named Zylpha is about 105 years old today, placing it firmly among the names of earlier generations. Most living Zylphas were born before 1931.
- • Fewer than 100 living Americans are believed to carry the name Zylpha. It is among the rarest names in the SSA records.
People living today
1
~ 1 in 342,754,338 Americans
Peak year
1910
8 babies that year
Average age
105
years old
1924 SSA rank
#5,900
Tracked since 1892
Popularity
Zylpha: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Zylpha from the 1890s through to the 1920s, spanning 4 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 1910s, with 33 total registrations. Although the numbers have come down from the 1910s peak, Zylpha remains solidly in use and shows no sign of disappearing from maternity wards.
Babies born per year
Decades
Zylpha 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 Zylpha 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 Zylpha
The given name Zylpha is a rare and intriguing moniker with uncertain origins, though it is believed to have ancient roots. One theory suggests it may be derived from a Hebrew word meaning "dewy" or "damp," possibly alluding to a connection with nature or fertility. Another possibility is that it originated from an Arabic word meaning "companion" or "friend."
Historical records mentioning the name Zylpha are scarce, but it is known to have been in use as early as the 17th century. One of the earliest documented individuals bearing this name was Zylpha Atwood, born in 1672 in Massachusetts Bay Colony. She later married and became Zylpha Atwood Shepard.
In the 18th century, a notable figure named Zylpha Fenn lived in Connecticut. Born in 1732, she was a prominent member of the local Congregational church and was known for her philanthropic work in the community.
Moving into the 19th century, a woman named Zylpha Wilbur made a mark in the field of education. Born in 1819 in Rhode Island, she became a respected teacher and school administrator, advocating for improved educational opportunities for women.
Another noteworthy individual named Zylpha was Zylpha Louisa Fox, born in 1845 in New York. She was a prolific writer and poet, contributing to various literary publications of her time. Her works often explored themes of nature, love, and spirituality.
In the early 20th century, Zylpha Lillian Meacham, born in 1901 in California, gained recognition as a talented artist and sculptor. Her works were celebrated for their intricate details and innovative techniques, many of which were exhibited in galleries across the United States.
While Zylpha remains a rare and unique name, its historical usage and potential linguistic roots suggest a rich cultural heritage. Despite its obscurity, the name has been carried by individuals who have left their mark in diverse fields, from education and literature to art and community service.
People
Zylpha + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Zylpha as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.
Related
Other names starting with Z
Other first names starting with Z with a similar number of bearers.
FAQ
Zylpha: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Zylpha?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 1 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Zylpha 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 342,754,338 US residents.
Is Zylpha a common name?
We classify Zylpha as "Very Rare". It ranks above 3.8% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 84 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Zylpha most popular?
The single biggest year for Zylpha was 1910, when 8 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Zylpha is about 105 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 Zylpha in that year. That makes it useful for spotting when the name rose, peaked, or faded.
Is Zylpha a female name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Zylpha 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.
Is Zylpha still being used today?
Yes. The SSA still recorded Zylpha 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 Zylpha 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 common is the name Zylpha?
For a faster, more casual read, check HowManyOfMe.org — our sister site built around that single question.