Philena is a name of Greek origin, derived from the word "philia," which means love or friendship. It is often associated with the goddess Philotes, who was said to embody these qualities.
The name Philena has a rich history dating back to ancient times. In Greek mythology, Philotes was one of the three Horae, goddesses of the seasons and order. She was also considered the patroness of hospitality and friendship. The name Philena would have been used in ancient Greece as both a given name and an epithet for gods and heroes.
Throughout history, the name Philena has appeared in various forms and spellings across different cultures. In some cases, it has been used as a variant of Philippa or Filippa, which are also derived from the Greek word "philia." However, Philena is unique in that it directly emphasizes the qualities of love and friendship without being linked to other names.
Today, Philena is still a rare name, but its meanings continue to resonate with people who appreciate its association with positive emotions and connections. Those who bear this name may feel a sense of pride in carrying on an ancient tradition or simply enjoy having a distinctive moniker that stands out from more common choices.
Philena is a unique and distinctive name that has been given to babies born in the United States over the past century. Although it may not be one of the most popular names, there have been several years where multiple babies were named Philena.
In fact, between 1884 and 2004, there were a total of 143 births registered for girls named Philena in the United States. The name's popularity has fluctuated over time, with some years seeing more than five babies given the name, while other years saw fewer than five.
The highest number of Philenas born in a single year was ten, which occurred in 1919. This was followed by eight births each in 1915 and 1920. There were also several years where seven or more babies were named Philena, including 1918, 1922, and 1972.
Interestingly, the name Philena has seen a resurgence in recent decades. After no births were recorded for the name between 1985 and 1999, there were six babies named Philena in the year 2000 alone. This suggests that while it may still be relatively uncommon, Philena is far from extinct as a baby girl's name in the United States.
Overall, these statistics show that while Philena may not be one of the most popular names, it has been given to enough babies over time to maintain its place in the American naming landscape. It will be interesting to see if this trend continues in future years.