"lover of strength"
Origin: Ancient Greek
Language: Greek
Filomena
Pronunciation: [ f-ihl-uhm-EEN-uh ]
Does Filomena flow with your last name?
A vintage Italian classic meaning lover of strength
Italian
Spanish
Portuguese
Greek
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Meaning & Origin
"friend of power"
Origin: Greek philos + menos
Language: Greek
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The Story of Filomena
Filomena is the Italian and Spanish form of Philomena, derived from the Ancient Greek elements philos (loving, dear) and menos (strength, spirit, power). The name therefore means lover of strength or one who loves powerfully. Saint Philomena was a Roman martyr whose bones were discovered in the Catacomb of Priscilla in 1802, making the name very fashionable in 19th century Catholic Europe. Although she was later removed from the Roman Catholic calendar of saints in 1961, the name retains its charm.
Filomena was extremely popular in Italy, Spain, and Portugal from the 19th through mid-20th century, largely due to devotion to Saint Philomena. It has since faded from mainstream use but is experiencing a vintage revival as grandparent names come back into fashion.
In Italian and Iberian Catholic families, Filomena was often given in honor of Saint Philomena, whose supposed miraculous intercessions made her one of the most popular saints of the 1800s. The name carries a strong sense of cultural and religious heritage.
Historical Record
Filomena first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 1,369 babies have been named Filomena in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Filomena is rising quickly in popularity , currently ranked #4,766 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Saint Philomena was so popular in the 19th century that Pope Gregory XVI declared her a universal saint
- Her cult was so widespread that thousands of churches worldwide were dedicated to her before her removal from the calendar
Filomena in Other Languages
Greek
Φιλομήνα
French
Philomène
Italian
Filomena
Spanish
Filomena
Portuguese
Filomena
Popularity Over Time
#4,766
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Rising Fast
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Filomena
F
Filomena Cautela
Actor
1987
Portuguese actress and television presenter known for hosting Eurovision 2018
P
Philomena Lee
Activist
1933
Irish woman whose search for her lost son inspired the 2013 film Philomena starring Judi Dench
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Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 4
- Popularity Rank
- #4,766
- Total SSA Count
- 29
- Cultural Origins
- Italian Spanish Portuguese Greek
- Pronunciation
- Moderate
- Formality
- Formal
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Common Nicknames
Filo
Mena
Phil
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, smooth 4-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 4-1 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, Spanish heritage match, balanced 4-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 4-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 4-1 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, Italian heritage match, balanced 4-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 4-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 4-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 4-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 4-1 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Filomena
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Frequently Asked Questions About Filomena
What does the name Filomena mean?
"lover of strength" (from Ancient Greek). "friend of power" (from Greek philos + menos). Filomena is the Italian and Spanish form of Philomena, derived from the Ancient Greek elements philos (loving, dear) and menos (strength, spirit, power). The name therefore means lover of strength or one who loves powerfully. Saint Philomena was a Roman martyr whose bones were discovered in the Catacomb of Priscilla in 1802, making the name very fashionable in 19th century Catholic Europe. Although she was later removed from the Roman Catholic calendar of saints in 1961, the name retains its charm.
What is the origin of the name Filomena?
Filomena has Ancient Greek, Greek philos + menos, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, and Greek origins. In Ancient Greek, it means "lover of strength". In Greek philos + menos, it means "friend of power".
Is Filomena a boy or girl name?
Filomena is primarily used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Filomena?
Filomena is pronounced f-ihl-uhm-EEN-uh.
How popular is the name Filomena?
Filomena is currently ranked #4766 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Filomena?
Common nicknames for Filomena include Filo, Mena, and Phil.
What are good middle names for Filomena?
Popular middle name pairings include Filomena Grace, Filomena Rose, Filomena Maria, Filomena Elena, Filomena Clara, Filomena Lucia, and Filomena Ines.
What are good sibling names for Filomena?
Names that pair well with Filomena as siblings include Beatrice, Rosaria, Lorenzo, Gianni, Serafina, Antonio, and Luciana.
How many syllables does Filomena have?
Filomena has 4 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.
Is Filomena a common or rare name?
Filomena is an uncommon name, ranked #4766 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
About the Name Filomena
Filomena is a girl name with Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, and Greek origins . The name means "lover of strength" in Ancient Greek .
Filomena is currently ranked #4,766 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Filomena has 4 syllables and is pronounced f-ihl-uhm-EEN-uh, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Filomena include Filo, Mena, and Phil. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis