Total births
34
Girls' name · since 1984
Philadelphia
Since 1984, U.S. Social Security records show 34 babies named Philadelphia, peaking in 1984. See the year-by-year trend, decade totals, and state rankings below, sourced from federal birth data.
- 34
- total births
- 1984–1994
- years on record
- 1980s
- peak decade
- 71%
- born in that decade
Philadelphia sits outside today's top ranks for girls, with 34 recorded since 1984.
According to the U.S. Social Security Administration, Philadelphia has been recorded 34 times among girls since 1984, though it is not among the currently most-used girls names, with its heaviest use in the 1980s. This profile covers year-by-year birth trends, decade totals, and state-level distribution, all derived directly from SSA birth-registration files spanning 1984 to 1994.
- 34 total births
- 1984–1994 years on record
- 1980s peak decade
- 71% born in that decade
Data updated Jul 2026
The verdict
34 girls have been named Philadelphia since 1984, peaking in the 1980s, last recorded in 1994.
- 34
- total births
- 1984–1994
- years on record
- 1980s
- peak decade
- 71%
- born in that decade
1980s
Peak decade
71% of everyone ever named Philadelphia was born in this single decade.
1984
Single peak year
8 babies were named Philadelphia in 1984 - its busiest year on record.
Philadelphia's usage pattern, beyond the headline number
Philadelphia splits its recorded history at 1989: 47% of all births land in the more recent half, 53% in the earlier half, an evenly balanced pattern over time. The single quietest year was 1985 (5 births) -- compare that against the 1984 peak of 8 for a sense of just how much the name's popularity has swung.
Philadelphia at a glance
Last recorded 1994Peak year
1984
Current rank
Unranked
Active since
1984
Philadelphia popularity over time
Annual U.S. births registered with the Social Security Administration · 1984–1994
- Peak year (1984)
- 8
- Annual births at peak, across 11 years of records
Philadelphia by decade
Total births in each ten-year window, peak vs trough at a glance
1980s was Philadelphia's strongest decade.
24 babies received the name during that ten-year window, about 71% of all-time use.
Philadelphia births by decade
Total births in each ten-year window
- 1980s
1980s
24 births
- 1990s
1990s
10 births
What this shows Peak: 1980s at 24 births (71% of all-time use).
Frequently Asked Questions
How popular is the name Philadelphia? ▼
Since 1984, Social Security records show 34 babies named Philadelphia. The most recent recorded year was 1994. Its busiest year on record was 1984, with 8 births.
When was Philadelphia most popular? ▼
Philadelphia was most popular in the 1980s decade with 24 total births. The single peak year was 1984.
How long has the name Philadelphia been used? ▼
Records for Philadelphia go back to 1984, giving 11 years of history through 1994.
What names are similar to Philadelphia? ▼
Names with a similar sound or spelling include Philomena, Phillis, Philippa, Phillip, and 4 more. These share a common prefix and are also used for girls.
What to do with Philadelphia's data
- Philadelphia's usage has stayed within range of its 1980s decade-level peak (24 total births) through the 1990s (10) -- a comparatively stable name, not a fading trend.
- Weighing it against an alternative? Put two names side by side. Compare names
Figures reflect SSA-reported births only; see the methodology above for the privacy-suppression floor.
Keep exploring Philadelphia
Nearby Names Like Philadelphia
Names with a similar sound, spelling, or feel to Philadelphia
Philomena Girl
#1810 9,951 births
Phillis Girl
3,677 births
Philippa Girl
#2607 1,815 births
Phillip Girl
1,330 births
Philip Girl
1,137 births
Compare Philadelphia side by side: Philadelphia vs Philomena Philadelphia vs Phillis Philadelphia vs Philippa
Related Names
Names with a similar number of total births
Data Sources
Data as of July 2026. Source: U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA).
According to the Social Security Administration, this profile draws directly from the agency's public-use baby-name files (updated June 2026). See our methodology for the full extraction, aggregation, and privacy-suppression rules.
Primary: Source: U.S. Social Security Administration, Baby Names from Social Security Card Applications, National Data, 1984–1994 (ssa.gov/oact/babynames).
State-level: Source: U.S. Social Security Administration, Baby Names, State-Level Files (namesbystate.zip).
Cite this page
NameAlmanac Editorial. "Philadelphia: Baby Name Since 1984 - 34 Births, Peak 1984." NameAlmanac. Accessed via https://namealmanac.com/name/philadelphia. Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
Name Almanac is rendered directly from the Social Security Administration's public baby-name files, no number is typed in by an editor. This profile for Philadelphia draws directly on SSA national and state-level files, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error. Data current as of July 2026.