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Philomena

♀ Girl

Pronounced fihl-uh-MEE-nuh /ˌfɪl.ə.ˈmiː.nə/Medium

Meaning: To be lovedMedium

In 30 seconds: Philomena means 'to be loved', a warm, classical girl's name of four flowing syllables.
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Origin MediumEnglish, German, Ancient Greek
MeaningTo be loved
U.S. rank (2024)#1833 ↗ Rising
2024 U.S. births110 girls (0.01% of U.S. girls)
Peak year1922
Total births (all-time)≈ 9,847

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 192218802024

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

History & Origin

The meaning 'to be loved' sits at the heart of Philomena, giving it a gentle, affectionate sense. Its long, rolling shape lends it an old-world dignity that has kept it in use across Catholic and European tradition. Related forms include Filomena and Philomène.

Philomena rewards the full mouthful of its syllables with a soft, musical landing on '-mena'. The name has been carried by Philomena Lee, whose story drew wide attention and renewed interest in the name.

Did you know? The meaning usually attached to Philomena is 'to be loved', and that core idea is what gives the name most of its long-term appeal.
Overall data confidence 78%
Behind the Name - Philomena — etymology, usage, pronunciation, and related formsU.S. Social Security Administration — 2024 popularity rank and count supplied in the batch input CSV

Variations

PhilomèneFilomenaFilimena

Nicknames

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Famous Bearers

  • ★Philomena Lee (1933–present)
    Female public figure listed on Behind the Name.

If you like Philomena…

Philippa— Shares the classical 'Phil-' opening tied to ideas of love.

Frequently Asked

What does the name Philomena mean?

Philomena is usually explained as meaning 'to be loved' and is most often linked with English tradition.

How do you pronounce Philomena?

It's commonly said fihl-uh-MEE-nuh /ˌfɪl.ə.ˈmiː.nə/.

Is Philomena a boy or girl name?

In this batch and in recent U.S. usage data, Philomena is used as a girl name.

How popular is Philomena?

In 2024, Philomena ranked #1833 in the U.S. for girls, with 110 births recorded.