Girl
Philomena
loved, friend
About Philomena
Grandeur lives within these four syllables, each contributing to a name of remarkable substance and historical weight. Philomena demands attention without arrogance, presenting sophistication that spans centuries while feeling surprisingly wearable today. This choice appeals to parents who appreciate names with stories, depth, and layers of significance beyond surface prettiness. The name suggests intelligence, culture, and quiet strength—someone who doesn't need to shout to be heard or remembered. Philomena offers abundant nickname possibilities—Mena, Phil, Philly—allowing personality expression while maintaining the formal name's dignity for important occasions. It photographs magnificently on official documents and credentials, never seeming frivolous or lightweight. The name's length provides presence and substance, ensuring your daughter's name won't be overlooked on lists or in introductions. Choosing Philomena signals confidence in selecting something genuinely special.
Popularity of the Name Philomena
Rank among the 1,000 most popular baby names, by year.
| United States | Ireland | |
|---|---|---|
| 1880 | #572 | |
| 1881 | #532 | |
| 1882 | #628 | |
| 1883 | #511 | |
| 1884 | #720 | |
| 1885 | #603 | |
| 1886 | #599 | |
| 1887 | #840 | |
| 1888 | #523 | |
| 1889 | #553 | |
| 1890 | #577 | |
| 1891 | #690 | |
| 1892 | #525 | |
| 1893 | #591 | |
| 1894 | #593 | |
| 1895 | #528 | |
| 1896 | #511 | |
| 1897 | #486 | |
| 1898 | #569 | |
| 1899 | #429 | |
| 1900 | #566 | |
| 1901 | #480 | |
| 1902 | #462 | |
| 1903 | #392 | |
| 1904 | #478 | |
| 1905 | #396 | |
| 1906 | #450 | |
| 1907 | #410 | |
| 1908 | #369 | |
| 1909 | #438 | |
| 1910 | #444 | |
| 1911 | #389 | |
| 1912 | #393 | |
| 1913 | #388 | |
| 1914 | #368 | |
| 1915 | #355 | |
| 1916 | #358 | |
| 1917 | #371 | |
| 1918 | #402 | |
| 1919 | #416 | |
| 1920 | #404 | |
| 1921 | #393 | |
| 1922 | #371 | |
| 1923 | #385 | |
| 1924 | #403 | |
| 1925 | #420 | |
| 1926 | #427 | |
| 1927 | #421 | |
| 1928 | #460 | |
| 1929 | #439 | |
| 1930 | #502 | |
| 1931 | #529 | |
| 1932 | #568 | |
| 1933 | #609 | |
| 1934 | #640 | |
| 1935 | #764 | |
| 1936 | #778 | |
| 1937 | #765 | |
| 1938 | #783 | |
| 1939 | #887 | |
| 1940 | #891 | |
| 1941 | #867 | |
| 1942 | #956 | |
| 1964 | #73 | |
| 1965 | #100 | |
| 1966 | #101 | |
| 1967 | #115 | |
| 1968 | #109 | |
| 1969 | #133 | |
| 1970 | #122 | |
| 1971 | #123 | |
| 1972 | #128 | |
| 1973 | #136 | |
| 1974 | #140 | |
| 1975 | #143 | |
| 1976 | #175 | |
| 1977 | #163 | |
| 1978 | #175 | |
| 1979 | #185 | |
| 1980 | #234 | |
| 1981 | #171 | |
| 1982 | #206 | |
| 1983 | #180 | |
| 1984 | #215 | |
| 1985 | #193 | |
| 1986 | #188 | |
| 1987 | #237 | |
| 1988 | #211 | |
| 1989 | #189 | |
| 1990 | #187 | |
| 1991 | #222 | |
| 1992 | #190 | |
| 1993 | #297 | |
| 1994 | #345 | |
| 1995 | #210 | |
| 1996 | #289 | |
| 1997 | #273 | |
| 1998 | #410 | |
| 2000 | #518 | |
| 2001 | #716 | |
| 2003 | #792 | |
| 2005 | #447 | |
| 2006 | #730 | |
| 2007 | #604 | |
| 2012 | #857 | |
| 2014 | #640 | |
| 2015 | #519 | |
| 2016 | #572 | |
| 2018 | #592 | |
| 2019 | #803 | |
| 2021 | #998 |
Top names by country: United States · Ireland
Variations of Name Philomena
Names Similar to Philomena
Nicknames for Philomena
- Phil
- Philly
- Mena
- Lola
- Phili
Famous People Named Philomena
| Saint Philomena of Rome | early Christian martyr |
| Philomena Lee | Irish woman who inspired the film "Philomena" |
| Philomena Franz | Austrian composer |
| Philomena Garvey | Irish artist |
| Philomena Begley | Irish country singer |
| Philomena McDonagh | Irish Olympic athlete |
| Philomena Poetis | Greek poet |
| Philomena Kwao | British-Ghanian model and advocate |
| Philomena Lynott | Irish author, mother of Thin Lizzy's Phil Lynott |
| Philomena Mensah | Ghanaian actress |
| Philomena Chelagat | Kenyan long-distance runner |
| Philomena Mwela | Namibian politician |
| Philomena Mwilu | Kenyan Deputy Chief Justice |
| Philomena Njeri Mwilu | Kenyan politician |
| Philomena Njau | Kenyan judge |
| Philomena Shiesha | Kenyan volleyball player |
| Philomena Yego | Kenyan politician |
| Philomena Maturi | Kenyan environmentalist |
| Philomena Kemboi | Kenyan politician |
Characters Named Philomena
| Philomena Fly | character in "The Hunchback of Notre-Dame" by Victor Hugo |
| Philomena Berquist | character in the "Crank" series by Ellen Hopkins |
| Philomena Cunk | comedic character created by Diane Morgan |
| Philomena Johnson | character in the "Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children" series by Ransom Riggs |
| Philomena Mortimer | character in "Bridgerton" series by Julia Quinn |
| Philomena Lumley | character in "Crimson Peak" movie |
| Philomena Moore | character in "Criminal Minds" TV series |
| Philomena Cazalet | character in the "Cazalet Chronicles" series by Elizabeth Jane Howard |
| Philomena Blake | character in the "Home and Away" TV series |
| Philomena Van Helsing | character in "Hotel Transylvania" movie series |
| Philomena Plantagenet | character in "The Pillars of the Earth" by Ken Follett |
| Philomena "Phil" Coulson | character in the Marvel Cinematic Universe |
| Philomena Dashwood | character in "Sense and Sensibility" by Jane Austen |
| Philomena "Mena" Venderdale | character in "Ever After High" series |
| Philomena "Mena" Harker | character in the "Helsing" anime |
| Philomena Guinea | character in "Penny Dreadful" TV series |