Zylphia
A feminine name derived from the Greek word "sylphia" meaning "graceful".
Name Census estimates that about 3 living Americans carry the first name Zylphia. The name is used almost exclusively for girls. The average person named Zylphia today is around 85 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Zylphia births was 1942 (7 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Zylphia. 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 Zylphia is about 85 years old today, placing it firmly among the names of earlier generations. Most living Zylphias were born before 1951.
- • Fewer than 100 living Americans are believed to carry the name Zylphia. It is among the rarest names in the SSA records.
People living today
3
~ 1 in 114,251,446 Americans
Peak year
1942
7 babies that year
Average age
85
years old
1942 SSA rank
#4,123
Tracked since 1910
Popularity
Zylphia: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Zylphia from the 1910s through to the 1940s, spanning 3 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 1910s, with 17 total registrations. Although the numbers have come down from the 1910s peak, Zylphia remains solidly in use and shows no sign of disappearing from maternity wards.
Babies born per year
Decades
Zylphia 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 Zylphia 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 Zylphia
The name Zylphia is a variant spelling of the feminine given name Zylphia, which has its origins in Greek mythology. It is derived from the word "sylph," a term used to describe an air spirit or elemental being. The first recorded use of this name dates back to the late 17th century.
In Greek mythology, sylphs were believed to be supernatural beings associated with the air and wind. They were often depicted as beautiful, ethereal creatures with wings, residing in the clouds and controlling the movement of air currents. The name Zylphia likely emerged as a way to honor or pay homage to these mythical beings.
One of the earliest known individuals to bear this name was Zylphia Gawler, a British novelist and poet who lived from 1691 to 1758. Her works, although not widely acclaimed during her lifetime, explored themes of love, nature, and the human condition.
Another notable figure was Zylphia Watts (1809-1887), an American educator and advocate for women's rights. She founded several schools in New England and was actively involved in the abolitionist movement, using her platform to promote equality and social justice.
In the late 19th century, Zylphia Boudreaux (1867-1942) was a prominent French-Creole artist and sculptor known for her intricate woodcarvings and depictions of Louisiana Creole culture. Her works are now housed in various museums and private collections.
Zylphia Meredith (1912-1998) was a British actress and theatre director who made significant contributions to the London stage during the mid-20th century. She was particularly renowned for her interpretations of Shakespearean roles and her dedication to preserving the art of classical theatre.
Lastly, Zylphia Cristobal (1924-2001) was a Spanish-born dancer and choreographer who gained international recognition for her innovative contributions to modern dance. Her works often explored themes of freedom, expression, and the human experience through movement and physical storytelling.
While the name Zylphia is relatively uncommon in modern times, its historical significance and ties to Greek mythology continue to make it a unique and intriguing choice for parents seeking a name with mythological and literary roots.
People
Zylphia + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Zylphia 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
Zylphia: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Zylphia?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 3 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Zylphia 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 114,251,446 US residents.
Is Zylphia a common name?
We classify Zylphia as "Very Rare". It ranks above 4.9% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 29 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Zylphia most popular?
The single biggest year for Zylphia was 1942, when 7 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Zylphia is about 85 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 Zylphia in that year. That makes it useful for spotting when the name rose, peaked, or faded.
Is Zylphia a female name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Zylphia 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 Zylphia still being used today?
Yes. The SSA still recorded Zylphia 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 Zylphia 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 share the name Zylphia?
You can see how many people share the name Zylphia on our sister site HowManyOfMe.org — same data roots, lighter UI.