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Zilphia

♀ Girl

Pronounced ZIL-fee-uh /ˈzɪl.fi.ə/Low

Meaning: Zilphia is an ornamented form of Zilpah, the biblical Hebrew name of Leah's maidservant and mother of two of Jacob's sons. The meaning of Zilpah is uncertain, with suggestions ranging from 'frailty' to 'a trickle or dripping'; Zilphia adds an -ia ending that softens the old scriptural name for everyday use.Low

In 30 seconds: Zilphia is an elaborated form of the biblical Zilpah, a Hebrew name of uncertain meaning. It peaked in the early nineteen-twenties (said ZIL-fee-uh).

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Origin LowHebrew

MeaningZilphia is an ornamented form of Zilpah, the biblical Hebrew name of Leah's maidservant and mother of two of Jacob's sons. The meaning of Zilpah is uncertain, with suggestions ranging from 'frailty' to 'a trickle or dripping'; Zilphia adds an -ia ending that softens the old scriptural name for everyday use.

U.S. rank (1950)#5298 ↘ Falling

1950 U.S. births6 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)

Peak year1920

Total births (all-time)≈ 199

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

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

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Zilphia is an American elaboration of Zilpah, the handmaid of Leah in Genesis and mother of the tribes of Gad and Asher. The original Hebrew name has no firmly settled meaning, with proposals like 'frailty' or 'dripping.' The -ia ending places Zilphia among the many scriptural names softened for the early twentieth century, when biblical revivals were common in rural America.

The spelling was always scarce, given to only a dozen or so girls a year around its peak near 1920, and it faded by mid-century. A girl named Zilphia then would be a great-grandmother today.

Did you know? Zilphia grows out of Zilpah, a name from the book of Genesis, dressed up with an -ia ending in the style of Sophia and Delphia.

Overall data confidence 45%

References - Zilphia — Elaboration of biblical Zilpah (Hebrew, meaning uncertain)

Variations

ZilpahZilphaZylphia

Nicknames

ZilZillyPhia

Famous Bearers

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If you like Zilphia…

Delphia— a like -phia vintage girl's name

Sophronia— shares the ornate old-fashioned feel

Zelphia— shares Zilphia's Hebrew roots

Atalia— another biblical pick

Kezia— another biblical pick

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Zilphia mean?

It is an elaborated form of Zilpah, a biblical Hebrew name whose meaning is uncertain, perhaps 'frailty' or 'dripping.'

How do you pronounce Zilphia?

It is said ZIL-fee-uh /ˈzɪl.fi.ə/, three syllables stressed on the first.

Is Zilphia a boy or girl name?

Zilphia is used as a girl's name.

How popular is Zilphia?

It has always been rare in the United States, most visible in the early nineteen-twenties and scarce ever since.