Total births
956
Girls' name · since 1886
Zelpha
Since 1886, U.S. Social Security records show 956 babies named Zelpha, peaking in 1916. See the year-by-year trend, decade totals, and state rankings below, sourced from federal birth data.
- 956
- total births
- 1886–1957
- years on record
- 1910s
- peak decade
- 27%
- born in that decade
Zelpha sits outside today's top ranks for girls, with 956 recorded since 1886.
Social Security Administration records show Zelpha recorded 956 times among girls since 1886, though it doesn't currently rank among the most-used girls names, peaking in the 1910s. This profile derives year-by-year birth trends, decade totals, and state-level distribution directly from SSA birth-registration files spanning 1886 to 1957.
- 956 total births
- 1886–1957 years on record
- 1910s peak decade
- 27% born in that decade
Data updated Jun 2026
The verdict
956 girls have been named Zelpha since 1886, peaking in the 1910s, last recorded in 1957.
- 956
- total births
- 1886–1957
- years on record
- 1910s
- peak decade
- 27%
- born in that decade
1910s
Peak decade
27% of everyone ever named Zelpha was born in this single decade.
1916
Single peak year
39 babies were named Zelpha in 1916 - its busiest year on record.
Zelpha's usage pattern, beyond the headline number
Zelpha splits its recorded history at 1918: 55% of all births land in the more recent half, 45% in the earlier half, an evenly balanced pattern over time. The single quietest year was 1888 (5 births) -- compare that against the 1916 peak of 39 for a sense of just how much the name's popularity has swung.
Zelpha at a glance
Last recorded 1957Peak year
1916
Current rank
Unranked
Active since
1886
Zelpha popularity over time
Annual U.S. births registered with the Social Security Administration · 1886–1957
- Peak year (1916)
- 39
- Annual births at peak, across 72 years of records
Zelpha by decade
Total births in each ten-year window, peak vs trough at a glance
1910s was Zelpha's strongest decade.
256 babies received the name during that ten-year window, about 27% of all-time use.
Zelpha births by decade
Total births in each ten-year window
- 1880s 26
1880s
26 births
- 1890s 89
1890s
89 births
- 1900s
1900s
120 births
- 1910s
1910s
256 births
- 1920s
1920s
256 births
- 1930s
1930s
119 births
- 1940s 51
1940s
51 births
- 1950s 39
1950s
39 births
What this shows Peak: 1910s at 256 births (27% of all-time use).
How Zelpha compares to similarly-sized names
Years in SSA records vs. share of all-time use concentrated in the single peak year, among 15 girls names closest to Zelpha's total volume
Zelpha vs 15 similarly-sized girls names
Zelpha by state
Where Zelpha concentrates geographically, total births since 1886
| Rank | State | Visual share | Births | Share of total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Arkansas | | 12 | 1.3% |
| #2 | Missouri | | 11 | 1.2% |
| #3 | Oklahoma | | 10 | 1.0% |
Arkansas share of Zelpha's total US births 1.3%
Even split
12 of 956 births nationwide. Compared to a flat distribution across 3 reporting states.
Frequently Asked Questions
How popular is the name Zelpha? ▼
956 babies have been named Zelpha since 1886. It was last recorded in 1957. The peak year was 1916 with 39 births.
When was Zelpha most popular? ▼
Zelpha was most popular in the 1910s decade with 256 total births. The single peak year was 1916.
Where is Zelpha most popular? ▼
The top states for the name Zelpha are Arkansas (12 births), Missouri (11 births), Oklahoma (10 births).
How long has the name Zelpha been used? ▼
The SSA has tracked Zelpha since 1886 -- 72 years through the most recent 1957 data.
What names are similar to Zelpha? ▼
Names with a similar sound or spelling include Zelma, Zelda, Zella, Zelie, and 4 more. These share a common prefix and are also used for girls.
What to do with Zelpha's data
- Zelpha's decade-level peak was the 1910s (256 total births); usage has since declined to 39 in the 1950s -- if you're weighing a "classic revival" angle, the trend line argues against it.
- Arkansas records the most Zelphas (12 births) -- see the full state breakdown if geography matters to your decision. Arkansas names
- 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 Zelpha
Nearby Names Like Zelpha
Names with a similar sound, spelling, or feel to Zelpha
Zelma Girl
#6643 16,824 births
Zelda Girl
#747 16,734 births
Zella Girl
#1840 13,369 births
Zelie Girl
#1822 1,264 births
Zelia Girl
#5447 1,177 births
Compare Zelpha side by side: Zelpha vs Zelma Zelpha vs Zelda Zelpha vs Zella
Related Names
Names with a similar number of total births
Data Sources
Data as of June 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, 1886–1957 (ssa.gov/oact/babynames).
State-level: Source: U.S. Social Security Administration, Baby Names, State-Level Files (namesbystate.zip).
Cite this page
NameAlmanac Editorial. "Zelpha: Baby Name Since 1886 - 956 Births, Peak 1916." NameAlmanac. Accessed via https://namealmanac.com/name/zelpha. 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 Zelpha 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 June 2026.