Given name · also Greek, Latin
Philomena
“a friend of strength”
Philomena is used as a given name. One English interpretation is “a friend of strength.”
Original GreekΦιλομήνα
Meaning & origin
What it means
One English interpretation is “a friend of strength.”
Where it comes from
This spelling has been associated with Latin and Greek naming traditions.
How it developed
In English usage, Philomena developed from Φιλουμένη.
The story
Philomena was in use during the 19th century.
Philomena through the years
- Babies since 1880
- 9,951
- 0 boys · 9,951 girls
- Most popular year
- 1922
- 308 babies
- 2025
- 101
- #1,920 for girls
- 2021–25 vs 2016–20
- 0%
- Steady
Where it’s given
By the numbers
In 2025, this name appeared in 101 U.S. birth records for girls, ranking No. 1,920 among girls’ names. Average annual use for girls was 0.4% higher in 2021–2025 than in 2016–2020. Its largest published annual count for girls was 308 in 1922. In 2025, Texas had the largest reported state-level birth count for girls with this name (11). Published U.S. population figures for this spelling include 4,052 as a first name in 2020.
From Social Security birth records and U.S. Census name counts for this exact spelling. Other spellings are counted separately.
Philomena’s family of names
In English usage, Philomena has a short form in Phil. In English usage, Philomena shares an earlier linguistic root with PHILOMENE. In Dutch usage, Philomena has a related form in Filomena.
Inner ring: spellings · middle: nicknames and forms · outer: across languages.
Around the world
Philomena has relatives in 13 languages. Lines run from its Ancient Greek roots to each of them.
Nicknames & forms 10
Diminutives, pet forms, short forms and variants used alongside the name.
- Filomenavariant · Portuguese, Dutch
- Philshort form · English
- Philomeniavariant
- Philominavariant
- Phiomeanavariant
- Philomyniavariant
- Philomeeniavariant
- Philominiavariant
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Spellings & scripts 1
The same name written differently, including transliterations into other scripts.
Across languages 11
Equivalents and cognates in other languages, plus older forms it grew from.
- ΦιλομήναGreek
- Φιλουμένηroot · Ancient Greek
- PhilomēnaLatin
- FilumēnaLatin
- ΦιλομήνηAncient Greek
- ΦιλομέναGreek
- Philomenedoublet · English
- Filominneequivalent
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People named Philomena
- PhilomenaChristian saint, martyr and wonderworker291–304
- Bonnie MealingAustralian swimmer, Olympic silver medallist (1912–2002)
- Philomena BairAustrian Freestyle Skierborn 1996
- Philomena LynottIrish author1930–2019
- Philomena LeeIrish nurseborn 1933
- Philomena, Countess of ParisFrench Royalborn 1977
- Philomena AbakahGhanaian footballerborn 2002
- Philomena FranzGerman Romani author1922–2022
- Philomena EssedAmerican professorborn 1955
Listed by how widely each person is written about, which says nothing about the name itself.
Similar names
If you love Philomena, these share its style, era, origin or sound, from outside its own family.
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Zenobia
Zenobia is a feminine given name from Latin, ultimately from Arabic. It is used in English, Italian, Polish, and Occitan.
>99% girls
Eudora
“a good gift”
>99% girls