Philomena is a unique and beautiful name of Latin origin. It comes from the Latin word "philomela," which means "lover of song" or "songbird." This name has been used throughout history, but it became more popular in the Middle Ages when it was often given to women who were believed to be gifted singers.
One famous historical figure with this name is Saint Philomena, a third-century Christian martyr. According to legend, she was put to death at the age of 13 for converting her father to Christianity and refusing to marry a Roman emperor. She is venerated as a saint in the Catholic Church, and her feast day is celebrated on August 11th.
In literature, Philomena has also been used as a character name. In the novel "Philomela" by Elizabeth Hand, the protagonist is a singer who becomes embroiled in a mysterious murder plot. The name was also used in J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series for one of the characters, though she is never seen or mentioned directly.
Today, Philomena remains a rare and distinctive name, often associated with its musical origins. It has been used by families looking for an unusual yet meaningful name for their daughter. Despite its rarity, Philomena has a rich history and beautiful meaning that makes it a wonderful choice for a child's name.
The name Philomina has been present in the United States for over a century, with the first recorded birth in 1914 and the most recent one in 2019. Throughout this time, there have been fluctuations in its popularity, with some years seeing more births than others.
In the early 20th century, Philomina was not particularly common, with only five births recorded in 1914. However, it began to gain traction in the following decades, with seven births each in 1916 and 1923. This popularity persisted into the late 1920s, with five births in both 1925 and 1926.
There was a gap of nearly three decades before Philomina re-emerged as a popular choice for parents in the United States. In fact, it became more common in recent years than it had been during its peak in the early 20th century. Between 2016 and 2019, there were seven births each year, with an additional eight recorded in 2018.
Overall, Philomina has experienced periods of both popularity and rarity throughout the past century. However, its total number of births over this time – sixty-seven – demonstrates that it has maintained a consistent presence among American parents choosing names for their daughters.