Zelpha
Every Zelpha since 1886 — 956 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
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.
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
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.