Philadelphia is a unique and uncommon given name of Greek origin. It is derived from the city name "Philadelphia," which means "brotherly love" in Greek. This city was named by William Penn, the English Quaker who founded Pennsylvania. He chose this name because he wanted to create a place where people could live together in harmony and mutual affection.
The name Philadelphia has been used sparingly as a given name throughout history. It was sometimes given to girls, but it is more commonly found among men's names. Some notable figures with the name include Philadelphia Lawrance, an American writer and suffragist from the late 19th century, and Philadelphia Association for College Education, a non-profit organization that provides educational opportunities for low-income residents in Philadelphia.
Overall, the name Philadelphia is a unique choice with a rich history behind it. It embodies the spirit of unity, brotherhood, and love, making it an appealing option for parents looking for a distinctive name for their child.
The name Philadelphia has seen a relatively steady number of births in the United States over the years, with a total of 34 babies given this name between 1984 and 1994. The highest number of births occurred in 1984, with 8 newborns sharing this unique name. This was followed by two years with 5 births each (1985 and 1986), indicating a brief period of popularity for the name Philadelphia during that time.
After a gap of several years without any recorded births of this name, there were once again 5 babies named Philadelphia in 1991. This trend continued into 1994, with another 5 births occurring that year. Despite the fluctuations in popularity over these ten years, it is clear that the name Philadelphia has maintained a consistent presence among baby names in the United States during this period.
While the number of births may not have been exceptionally high for any given year, the fact that there were consistent births each decade suggests that Philadelphia remains an uncommon yet enduring choice for parents looking to give their child a distinctive and memorable name.