Zelpha

“The one who is given as a gift”

American origin · Girl name

♂ 3% boys♀ 97% girls

#1144US 2023

1.1kBirths / yr

→Stable

956All-time births

📅 Since 188600.01% of births at peak

How to pronounce Zelpha

ZEE·ELP·EE·HAH

/ˈziː.ˈɛlp.ˈiː.ˈhɑ/ · stress on ZEE · 4 syllables

“The one who is given as a gift”

American origin · Girl name

What does Zelpha mean and where does it come from?

Zelpha is a variation of the name Zilpah, which appears in the Old Testament of the Bible. Zilpah was the maidservant of Leah, one of Jacob's wives, making the name significant within biblical contexts. It signifies strength and resilience, hinting at the trials and tribulations of its biblical coun

Cultural significance

Zelpha has been a cherished name across cultures, particularly in American-speaking communities, where it reflects values of the one who is given as a gift.

Peak popularity

Reached #792 in 1891 — currently #1144 in the US.

🌿

How else can you spell Zelpha?

Same sound, different look — useful if you want something slightly more distinctive

Zilpha

Spelling variant

What middle names flow best with Zelpha?

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

Zelpha Grace

How popular is Zelpha right now?

Holding steady — currently #1144 in the US out of 135.5k tracked names

US Trend 1890–2023#1144 · Top 0.84%

1895

1900

1905

1910

1915

1920

1925

1930

1935

1940

1950

1955

2021

2022

2023

Year	US Rank	Births	vs Prior Year
2023	#1144	1,056	▲ up 5 · +2% births
2022	#1149	1,036	▲ up 5 · +3% births
2021	#1154	1,006	▲ up 3644 · +14271% births
1955	#4798	7	▼ down 5 · +17% births
1950	#4793	6	▼ down 1796 · -33% births
1940	#2997	9	▼ down 529 · -25% births
1935	#2468	12	▲ up 4 · -8% births
1930	#2472	13	▼ down 994 · -58% births
1925	#1478	31	▲ up 905 · +107% births
1920	#2383	15	▼ down 1140 · -53% births
1915	#1243	32	▲ up 59 · +146% births
1910	#1302	13	▼ down 383 · -24% births
1905	#919	17	▲ up 360 · +70% births
1900	#1279	10	▲ up 91 · +43% births
1895	#1370	7	—

Name Popularity Timeline

Popularity Statistics for Zelpha

Best Year1905Rank #919

Peak Count1,056

Average Rank#2113

Current Trend↘Falling

Data Range1900 - 202314 years

The story of Zelpha

Zelpha has been a beloved American name for over 138 years, first appearing in Social Security records in 1886. With 956 total births recorded, Zelpha remains relatively uncommon. The name has grown more popular over time, rising from #1450 in 1890 to #1144 in 2023.

Names that peaked alongside Zelpha in 1891:

Mary Anna Margaret Elizabeth Emma

Zelpha by decade

Zelpha peaked in the 1890s. See all 1890s names →

Decade	Births
1880s	26
1890s	89
1900s	120
1910s ★	256
1920s	256
1930s	119
1940s	51
1950s	39

💎Zelpha has only 956 total recorded births since 1886 — rarer than 99% of names in our database.

What are good nicknames for Zelpha?

Common

ZelZeElpha

What names sound and feel like Zelpha?

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

Zepha

Hebrew · to rise

Delpha

English · A short form

Zelphia

American · A creative variant

Zella

American · Hebrew

Elpha

English · Old English

Zela

American · the one who

Deltha

American · From the delta

Weltha

American · Wealthy

How is Zelpha written in other languages?

Ζελφα

Ancient Greek

Common questions about the name Zelpha

What does the name Zelpha mean?

Zelpha means "The one who is given as a gift" — 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 Zelpha?

Zelpha 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 Zelpha?

Zelpha 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 Zelpha?

Zelpha is a four-syllable name pronounced Z IY1 EH1 L P IY1 HH AA1. 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 Zelpha?

Zelpha 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.