Philemon: Name Popularity, History & Rankings (1880

Rank 2025

#8,079

among boys · ↑2,578 vs 2024

Babies in 2025

named Philemon

How common

1 in 170,808

boys born in 2025

Peak year

2017

24 babies

All-time total

925

#5,403 all-time among boys

First recorded

1916

in Social Security records

Philemon popularity over time

925 babies have been named Philemon since 1916, according to official Social Security records. Switch measure to see births per year or the yearly rank.

Measure

Births per 1,000 babies of that sex, comparable across eras

By decade. Change compares yearly averages, so the current partial decade is on equal footing. Best rank is the name's best yearly rank within the decade.

Decade	Boys	Per year	Change	Best rank
1880s	–	–	–	–
1890s	–	–	–	–
1900s	–	–	–	–
1910s	27	3	–	#2,531
1920s	69	7	+156%	#2,954
1930s	35	4	-49%	#2,800
1940s	49	5	+40%	#2,830
1950s	67	7	+37%	#2,723
1960s	68	7	+1%	#2,199
1970s	92	9	+35%	#3,008
1980s	98	10	+7%	#2,809
1990s	106	11	+8%	#4,414
2000s	108	11	+2%	#4,977
2010s	142	14	+31%	#4,304
2020s (to 2025)	64	11	-25%	#4,737

The story of Philemon

Philemon is rare for boys in the United States, ranked #8,079 in 2025 with 10 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.

Since 1916, 925 American babies have been named Philemon. Its peak came in 2017, when 24 newborns received the name, the signature sound of the 2010s.

The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Philemon stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.

How old are people named Philemon?

The median living Philemon is about 31 years old; half are between 13 and 49. An estimated 700 people named Philemon are alive in the United States today.

Estimated from births per year and Social Security period life tables; an approximation of the living age distribution, by age in years.

Philemon year by year

Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.

Year	Boys	Boys rank
2025	10	#8,079
2024	7	#10,657
2023	9	#8,754
2022	5	#13,835
2021	21	#4,737
2020	12	#6,933
2019	11	#7,503
2018	16	#5,720
2017	24	#4,304
2016	16	#5,728
2015	15	#5,923
2014	15	#5,926
2013	10	#7,950
2012	16	#5,661
2011	9	#8,597
2010	10	#7,980
2009	13	#6,720
2008	16	#5,701
2007	11	#7,461
2006	7	#10,375
2005	17	#4,977
2004	11	#6,865
2003	11	#6,611
2002	–	–
2001	10	#6,801
2000	12	#5,824
1995	8	#6,828
1990	11	#4,909
1985	11	#3,979
1980	17	#2,809
1975	12	#3,191
1970	10	#3,224
1965	10	#2,726
1960	–	–
1955	9	#2,921
1950	9	#2,723
1945	–	–
1940	5	#3,818
1935	5	#4,031
1930	5	#4,421
1925	6	#4,090
1920	7	#3,743
1915	–	–
1910	–	–
1905	–	–
1900	–	–
1895	–	–
1890	–	–
1885	–	–
1880	–	–

Famous people named Philemon

The most globally famous bearers of the name, ranked by fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).

1 Philemon Recipient of the Epistle to Philemon 100–68 · Antiquity
2 Philemon 4th-century BC Athenian poet of New Comedy -362–-262 · Antiquity

Portraits from Wikipedia (Wikimedia Commons).

Frequently asked questions

Quick answers about Philemon, drawn from the same Social Security data as the charts above.

How old is the average Philemon?

The median living Philemon is about 31 years old. Half of all living Philemons are between 13 and 49 years old.

How many people named Philemon are alive today?

An estimated 700 people named Philemon are alive in the United States, based on 925 recorded births and Social Security life tables.

What does the name Philemon mean?

From Lua error in Module:etymology/templates at line 71: Language 'en (English)' does not match the L2 header (Translingual)., from φιλήμων (philḗmōn, “kindly, affectionate”), from φιλέω (philéō, “to love”).

How popular is the name Philemon in 2025?

Philemon ranked #8,079 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 10 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.

How many people are named Philemon?

925 babies have been named Philemon in the United States since 1916, based on Social Security card applications.

When was the name Philemon most popular?

Philemon peaked in 2017, when 24 newborns received the name.

Is Philemon a boy or girl name?

Philemon is overwhelmingly a boy's name: 100% of babies with the name.

Is the name Philemon rising or falling?

Philemon is declining, less popular now than a decade ago.

Who are famous people named Philemon?

Well-known people named Philemon include Philemon (religious figure), Philemon (writer).

Names like Philemon

Names that sound and feel close to Philemon: shared sounds, similar era, similar popularity. Each links to its full history.

Compare Philemon with similar names → More names starting with P →