Baby Names US
girls' name ★ peaked 1916

Zelpha

Gender Girl Rank 2025 Below top lists
Rank 2025
–
among girls
Babies in 2025
<5
named Zelpha
How common
–
girls born in 2025
Peak year
1916
39 babies
All-time total
956
#7,751 all-time among girls
First recorded
1886
in Social Security records

Zelpha popularity over time

956 babies have been named Zelpha since 1886, 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
0.020.040.060.0818801900192019401960198020002020Peak 1891Girls

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 Girls Per year Change Best rank
1880s 26 3 – #991
1890s 89 9 +242% #795
1900s 120 12 +35% #879
1910s 256 26 +113% #981
1920s 256 26 0% #1,327
1930s 119 12 -54% #1,749
1940s 51 5 -57% #2,444
1950s 39 4 -24% #4,594
1960s – – – –
1970s – – – –
1980s – – – –
1990s – – – –
2000s – – – –
2010s – – – –
2020s (to 2025) – – – –

The story of Zelpha

Zelpha is not currently in use for newborns in the United States: fewer than five babies received the name in 2025. Its story lives in the historical record below.

Since 1886, 956 American babies have been named Zelpha. Its peak came in 1916, when 39 newborns received the name, the signature sound of the 1910s.

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 Zelpha stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.

How old are people named Zelpha?

The median living Zelpha is about 82 years old; half are between 72 and 90. An estimated 100 people named Zelpha are alive in the United States today.

median 82 020406080100

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

Zelpha year by year

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

Year Girls Girls rank
2025 – –
2024 – –
2023 – –
2022 – –
2021 – –
2020 – –
2019 – –
2018 – –
2017 – –
2016 – –
2015 – –
2014 – –
2013 – –
2012 – –
2011 – –
2010 – –
2009 – –
2008 – –
2007 – –
2006 – –
2005 – –
2004 – –
2003 – –
2002 – –
2001 – –
2000 – –
1995 – –
1990 – –
1985 – –
1980 – –
1975 – –
1970 – –
1965 – –
1960 – –
1955 7 #5,205
1950 6 #5,297
1945 – –
1940 9 #3,207
1935 12 #2,574
1930 13 #2,551
1925 31 #1,503
1920 15 #2,462
1915 32 #1,257
1910 13 #1,334
1905 17 #924
1900 10 #1,318
1895 7 #1,425
1890 5 #1,532
1885 – –
1880 – –

Frequently asked questions

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

How old is the average Zelpha?

The median living Zelpha is about 82 years old. Half of all living Zelphas are between 72 and 90 years old.

How many people named Zelpha are alive today?

An estimated 100 people named Zelpha are alive in the United States, based on 956 recorded births and Social Security life tables.

How popular is the name Zelpha in 2025?

Zelpha did not appear in the 2025 Social Security data, which means fewer than five babies received the name that year.

How many people are named Zelpha?

956 babies have been named Zelpha in the United States since 1886, based on Social Security card applications.

When was the name Zelpha most popular?

Zelpha peaked in 1916, when 39 newborns received the name.

Is Zelpha a boy or girl name?

Zelpha is overwhelmingly a girl's name: 100% of babies with the name.

Is the name Zelpha rising or falling?

Zelpha has been roughly stable over the past decade.

Names like Zelpha

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

Compare Zelpha with similar names → More names starting with Z →