Given name
Zelpha
“one who stays in control”
Zelpha is a variant of Zelfa. One American interpretation is “one who stays in control.”
Meaning & origin
What it means
Zelpha is a variant of Zelfa. One American interpretation is “one who stays in control.”
Explained through its name family
Where it comes from
Zelpha is a variant of Zelfa. An origin associated with Zelfa is American.
Explained through its name family
The story
Published U.S. birth records include this spelling as early as 1886. This is the earliest published observation available here, rather than a date for the name’s origin.
From dated birth records
Zelpha through the years
- Babies since 1880
- 956
- 0 boys · 956 girls
- Most popular year
- 1916
- 39 babies
- 2025
- 0
- Outside the ranked list
- 2021–25 vs 2016–20
- —
- Too few births to compare
By the numbers
The most recent published U.S. birth count for girls is 6 in 1957. Later missing counts do not mean the name went unused. Its largest published annual count for girls was 39 in 1916. Published U.S. population figures for this spelling include 216 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.
The ring: nicknames and forms.
Nicknames & forms 1
Diminutives, pet forms, short forms and variants used alongside the name.
Similar names
If you love Zelpha, these share its style, era, origin or sound, from outside its own family.
Zelma
“having divine protection”
>99% girls
Zella
“one who resists”
>99% girls
Zera
“a sower of seeds”
>99% girls
Elda
“a battlemaiden; a protector”
>99% girls
Eda
Eda is a variant of Edith. One English interpretation is “the spoils of war; one who is joyous; a treasure.”
>99% girls
Elma
“having God's protection”
>99% girls
Elva
“a friend of the elves”
>99% girls
Zita
“patron of housewives and servants” · “little rose”
>99% girls