Philadelphia

“City of brotherly love” — Associated with the city of Philadelphia

American origin · Girl name

♂ 3% boys♀ 97% girls

#1806US 2023

394Births / yr

→Stable

34All-time births

📅 Since 198400

How to pronounce Philadelphia

fil·ud·ELF·ee·uh

/ˌfɪl.əd.ˈɛlf.iː.ə/ · stress on ELF · 5 syllables

“City of brotherly love”

Associated with the city of Philadelphia · American origin

What does Philadelphia mean and where does it come from?

Philadelphia is derived from the Greek 'Philadelphia' (Φιλαδέλφεια), which translates to 'city of brotherly love'. The name is primarily associated with the city of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, founded in 1682 by William Penn. While its use as a personal name is rare, it embodies the ideals of friend

Cultural significance

Philadelphia has been a cherished name across cultures, particularly in American-speaking communities, where it reflects values of city of brotherly love.

Peak popularity

Reached #8143 in 1984 — currently #1806 in the US.

🌿

What middle names flow best with Philadelphia?

Philadelphia works best with short, strong middle names — one or two syllables keep the full name from becoming a mouthful

Philadelphia Grace

How popular is Philadelphia right now?

Holding steady — currently #1806 in the US out of 135.5k tracked names

US Trend 1985–2023#1806 · Top 1.3%

1985

2021

2022

2023

Year	US Rank	Births	vs Prior Year
2023	#1806	394	▲ up 5 · +5% births
2022	#1811	374	▲ up 5 · +9% births
2021	#1816	344	▲ up 10298 · +6780% births
1985	#12114	5	—

Name Popularity Timeline

Popularity Statistics for Philadelphia

Best Year2023Rank #1806

Peak Count394

Average Rank#4387

Current Trend→Stable

Data Range1985 - 20234 years

The story of Philadelphia

Philadelphia is a relatively modern name, first appearing in US records in 1984. With 34 total births recorded, Philadelphia remains relatively uncommon. The name has grown more popular over time, rising from #12114 in 1985 to #1806 in 2023.

Names that peaked alongside Philadelphia in 1984:

Jennifer Jessica Ashley Amanda Sarah

💎Philadelphia has only 34 total recorded births since 1984 — rarer than 99% of names in our database.

What are good nicknames for Philadelphia?

Common

PhiPhilPhiliePhilyElphia

What names sound and feel like Philadelphia?

Based on sound, origin, and style — parents who love Philadelphia also consider these

Phillicia

American · Happy, Prosperous

Philecia

American · to love, to

Philomenia

Greek · Greek

Antoneshia

American · Derived from Anthony,

Tatanishia

American · A variant of

Timmeshia

American · English

Iyeshia

American · God is salvation

Tikeshia

American · One who is

Common questions about the name Philadelphia

What does the name Philadelphia mean?

Philadelphia means "City of brotherly love" — a name rooted in American tradition that carries both historical depth and timeless appeal. The meaning reflects values that have made this name endure across generations.

How popular is the name Philadelphia?

Philadelphia is currently a distinctive and less common name as a girl name in the US and is holding steady in popularity, a reliable classic that parents consistently choose.

What is the cultural origin of Philadelphia?

Philadelphia originates from American tradition. American names tend to carry strong cultural heritage and have spread across the world through migration, literature, and religion over centuries.

How do you pronounce the name Philadelphia?

Philadelphia is a 5-syllable name pronounced F IH2 L AH0 D EH1 L F IY0 AH0. The pronunciation is straightforward for English speakers, and the name reads clearly on paper — an important practical consideration for parents.

What sibling names go well with Philadelphia?

Philadelphia pairs beautifully with sibling names that share a similar American heritage or complement its melodic and flowing sound. Names with a similar vibe create a cohesive sibling set without matching too closely.