Philemon is a rare and unique given name of Greek origin. Its meaning is derived from the Greek word "philandros," which translates to "affectionate" or "loving." The name Philemon is also associated with several historical figures in ancient Greece.
One of the most notable references to Philemon can be found in the works of the ancient Greek playwright Aristophanes. In his comedy "The Frogs," Philemon appears as a wealthy old man who is known for his generosity and hospitality towards strangers. This character was likely based on an actual person named Philemon, who was said to have been a generous and kind-hearted individual.
Another famous Philemon from ancient Greece was the companion of the philosopher Epicurus. According to ancient sources, Philemon was a freed slave who became one of Epicurus' most devoted followers. He was known for his intelligence, wit, and dedication to the pursuit of wisdom.
In addition to these historical figures, the name Philemon is also associated with several saints in the Christian tradition. Saint Philemon is believed to have been a wealthy man who converted to Christianity and became known for his generosity towards the poor. He was eventually martyred for his faith during the reign of Emperor Domitian.
Today, Philemon remains a rare but intriguing given name. Its association with historical figures known for their kindness, intelligence, and dedication makes it a name that carries significant cultural weight. Despite its rarity, Philemon continues to be chosen by parents who wish to give their children a unique and meaningful name with deep roots in history and culture.
The name Philemon has been given to a total of 908 babies in the United States since 1916, with varying popularity over the years.
From 1916 to 1946, there were fewer than 10 births each year, with some years seeing as few as five births. However, starting from 1949, we see an increase in popularity with nine births that year.
The name Philemon saw its peak popularity in the late 1970s to early 1980s, with a high of 17 births in 1980 and consistent double-digit numbers from 1975 to 1986. This trend continued into the late 1990s and early 2000s, with Philemon remaining popular among parents.
More recently, there has been a resurgence of popularity for the name Philemon, with 24 births in 2017 and 21 births in 2021. Despite fluctuations over the years, it is clear that Philemon remains a unique and distinctive name choice for parents in the United States.
These statistics show how the popularity of the name Philemon has evolved over time, with periods of relative obscurity followed by spikes in popularity. Despite its ups and downs, however, Philemon has remained a recognizable and occasionally favored name among American parents throughout the 20th and early 21st centuries.