Zilpha Girl
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: ZIL-fah /ˈzɪl.fə/
Origin: Hebrew
Meaning: Zilpha: 'drooping' or 'to drop'
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Zilpha has its roots in the Hebrew language, derived from the word "zilpah," which means "drooping" or "to be weak." This name appears in the Old Testament of the Bible, where Zilpha is mentioned as one of the handmaids of Leah, the wife of Jacob. The biblical narrative, particularly in the Book of Genesis, highlights Zilpha's role in the lineage of the tribes of Israel, as she bore Jacob two sons, Gad and Asher, thus establishing her significance in the biblical genealogies.
The name transitioned into Greek as "Zilpha" and later into Latin, maintaining its form through various translations of biblical texts, including the Septuagint and the Vulgate, before entering the English lexicon during the Middle Ages through the influence of biblical translations and religious texts. Throughout history, Zilpha has been associated with themes of servitude and motherhood, reflecting the cultural values of the time regarding women's roles within familial and societal structures.
The name's biblical origins have contributed to its enduring presence in Judeo-Christian traditions, where it is often viewed as a symbol of loyalty and resilience. The name has been less common in historical records compared to other biblical names but has maintained a certain resonance due to its unique sound and connection to the biblical narrative.
In terms of cultural significance, Zilpha's association with the biblical story has allowed it to be embraced in various religious contexts, particularly among those who value biblical names for their historical and spiritual connotations. The name may also be linked to the diminutive form "Zil," which, while not widely used, reflects a softer, more affectionate variation of the original name.
Overall, Zilpha's etymological roots and historical context contribute to its enduring legacy within biblical literature and cultural memory.
Fictional characters named Zilpha
The following list of fictional characters named Zilpha is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.
You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.
Zilpha is a fictional character from the novel and film The Witching Hour. She is a member of the Mayfair family, known for her supernatural abilities and complex relationships within the family.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Zilpha, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
Similar names
Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Zilpha. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Zilpha was first seen in the United States in 1880.
Zilpha has ranked as high as #849 nationally, which occurred in 1918, and has been most popular in Kentucky.
In the past 5 years the name Zilpha has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Zilpha is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Zilpha was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Zilpha (1927)
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. In some cases, you may see four or five states listed. However, we only display states where the name represents a significant percentage of births, so the number of states shown can range from one to several.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| KY | 8 |
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Zilpha.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 1943 | 6 |
| 1941 | 11 |
| 1940 | 6 |
| 1938 | 8 |
| 1936 | 13 |
| 1933 | 5 |
| 1931 | 5 |
| 1930 | 11 |
| 1928 | 15 |
| 1927 | 15 |
| 1926 | 9 |
| 1924 | 16 |
| 1923 | 11 |
| 1922 | 14 |
| 1921 | 14 |
| 1920 | 19 |
| 1919 | 7 |
| 1918 | 24 |
| 1917 | 19 |
| 1916 | 18 |
| 1915 | 16 |
| 1914 | 16 |
| 1913 | 21 |
| 1912 | 13 |
| 1911 | 11 |
| 1910 | 12 |
| 1909 | 8 |
| 1908 | 8 |
| 1907 | 8 |
| 1906 | 13 |
| 1905 | 6 |
| 1904 | 7 |
| 1903 | 10 |
| 1902 | 8 |
| 1901 | 5 |
| 1900 | 11 |
| 1899 | 13 |
| 1898 | 8 |
| 1897 | 8 |
| 1896 | 6 |
| 1895 | 13 |
| 1894 | 8 |
| 1893 | 9 |
| 1892 | 10 |
| 1891 | 7 |
| 1890 | 7 |
| 1889 | 5 |
| 1888 | 17 |
| 1887 | 5 |
| 1886 | 9 |
| 1885 | 8 |
| 1884 | 6 |
| 1881 | 6 |
| 1880 | 6 |