"beloved"
Origin: Greek
Language: Greek
Philomena
Pronunciation: [ f-ihl-uhm-EEN-uh ]
Does Philomena flow with your last name?
A grand Victorian name meaning 'powerful friend,' beautifully vintage
Irish
Catholic
Italian
Greek
Vintage
Elegant
Classic
Literary
Spiritual
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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The Story of Philomena
Philomena derives from the Greek 'philomenos,' meaning 'friend of strength' or 'beloved,' from 'philos' (loving, friend) and 'menos' (strength, spirit). The name was popular in early Christian communities, associated with a Roman martyr Saint Philomena whose remains were discovered in 1802. However, her sainthood was removed from the Catholic calendar in 1961 due to uncertain historicity.
Philomena was popular in Catholic countries in the 19th and early 20th centuries, particularly in Ireland and Italy. It has experienced a gentle revival following the 2013 film 'Philomena' starring Judi Dench, which told the true story of an Irish woman searching for her son.
In Ireland, Philomena is associated with the dark history of Magdalene Laundries and forced adoptions, through the real-life story of Philomena Lee. Despite this, the name remains beloved as a strong Catholic heritage name.
Historical Record
Philomena first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 2,399 babies have been named Philomena in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Philomena is a hidden gem — rare but distinctive , currently ranked #1,822 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- The 2013 film 'Philomena' was nominated for four Academy Awards and brought renewed attention to this name
- Saint Philomena was so beloved that Pope Gregory XVI called her 'the wonder-worker of the 19th century'
Philomena in Other Languages
Greek
Φιλομένη
Irish
Fíliména
Latin
Philomena
Italian
Filomena
Spanish
Filomena
Popularity Over Time
#1,822
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Hidden Gem
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Philomena
P
Philomena Lee
Other
1933
Irish woman whose search for her forcibly adopted son inspired the 2013 Academy Award-nominated film 'Philomena'
P
Philomena Cunk Fictional
Entertainer
Fictional satirical documentary presenter played by Diane Morgan in BBC comedies
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Compare Philomena with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 4
- Popularity Rank
- #1,822
- Total SSA Count
- 110
- Cultural Origins
- Irish Catholic Italian Greek
- Pronunciation
- Moderate
- Formality
- Formal
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Phil
Philly
Mena
Fil
Filly
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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Classic pairing, Irish heritage match, balanced 4-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 4-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 4-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 4-1 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 4-1 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, Irish heritage match, balanced 4-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 4-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 4-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 4-1 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Philomena
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Frequently Asked Questions About Philomena
What does the name Philomena mean?
"beloved" (from Greek). Philomena derives from the Greek 'philomenos,' meaning 'friend of strength' or 'beloved,' from 'philos' (loving, friend) and 'menos' (strength, spirit). The name was popular in early Christian communities, associated with a Roman martyr Saint Philomena whose remains were discovered in 1802. However, her sainthood was removed from the Catholic calendar in 1961 due to uncertain historicity.
What is the origin of the name Philomena?
Philomena has Greek, Irish, Catholic, and Italian origins. In Greek, it means "beloved".
Is Philomena a boy or girl name?
Philomena is primarily used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Philomena?
Philomena is pronounced f-ihl-uhm-EEN-uh.
How popular is the name Philomena?
Philomena is currently ranked #1822 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Philomena?
Common nicknames for Philomena include Phil, Philly, Mena, Fil, and Filly.
What are good middle names for Philomena?
Popular middle name pairings include Philomena Grace, Philomena Rose, Philomena Joy, Philomena Clare, Philomena Mary, Philomena Agnes, and Philomena Bernadette.
What are good sibling names for Philomena?
Names that pair well with Philomena as siblings include Seraphina, Clementine, Theodore, Augustin, Cornelius, and Perpetua.
How many syllables does Philomena have?
Philomena has 4 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.
Is Philomena a common or rare name?
Philomena is an uncommon name, ranked #1822 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What girl names are similar to Philomena?
Are there other spellings for Philomena?
Related spellings include Philippa.
About the Name Philomena
Philomena is a girl name with Irish, Catholic, Italian, and Greek origins . The name means "beloved" in Greek .
Philomena is currently ranked #1,822 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Philomena has 4 syllables and is pronounced f-ihl-uhm-EEN-uh, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Philomena include Phil, Philly, Mena, Fil, and Filly. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Philomena include Philippa . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
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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