Fun Facts About the Name Philomine
- 11 babies named Philomine: U.S. records list 11 babies given the name Philomine from 1880 through 2025.
What Does the Name Philomine Mean?
Philomine is a feminine given name of Greek origin, meaning "beloved" or "one who is loved." It comes from the Greek name Philoumenē (Φιλουμένη), the feminine passive participle of the verb philein (φιλεῖν), "to love." The same Greek source lies behind the better-known forms Philomena, French Philomène, and Italian, Spanish, and Portuguese Filomena.
A second explanation sometimes offered treats the name as a compound of philos (φίλος), "loving" or "friend," and menos (μένος), "strength, spirit," which would give "lover of strength." That reading is a customary interpretation rather than the literal sense of the name, since it does not match the participle form Philoumenē; the "beloved" derivation is the one generally accepted. The similar-looking Philomela is a different Greek name, built from philos and melos ("song"), and is not the source of Philomine.
Philomine Name History & Origins
Philomine belongs to the family of names that spread through the cult of Saint Philomena. In 1802, excavations in the Catacomb of Priscilla on the Via Salaria in Rome uncovered a sealed tomb whose tiles carried the letters LUMENA PAX TE CUM FI; these were rearranged and read as PAX TECUM FILUMENA, "peace be with you, Filumena." The relics were transferred to Mugnano del Cardinale in southern Italy, where a shrine and a popular devotion grew up around the martyr. During the nineteenth century the cult reached France, England, and North America, supported by devotees such as the French priest Jean-Marie Vianney, the Curé of Ars, and the laywoman Pauline Jaricot. In 1961 the Holy See removed Philomena's feast from the General Roman Calendar, judging the historical evidence for the martyr insufficient, although veneration continued locally.
The name took different shapes as it moved between languages: Philomène in French, Filomena in Italian, Spanish, and Portuguese, and Philomena in English and German. Philomine is a rarer variant of the same stock; its ending in -ine is a common feminine ending in French and English names, as seen in Catherine and Clementine. The history of the spelling Philomine itself is not well documented apart from the far better-attested parent name, and it remains an uncommon form.
How Popular is the Name Philomine?
Philomine has historically been an exceptionally rare given name in the United States, remaining well outside the national mainstream. It saw its highest recorded annual births in 1917. Its best rank was #4,481 in 1917.
U.S. name popularity from 1880-2025, based on SSA data. Rank shows how the name compares with other names - lower numbers mean greater popularity. Births shows how many babies received the name each year.
| Year | Rank | Births | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1924 | #5,725 | 5 | 0.0004% |
| 1917 | #4,481 | 6 | 0.0006% |
Name popularity over more than a century, based on Social Security Administration data. Gaps in the chart indicate years when the name does not appear in the published records.
Most Popular Girl Names That Start with P
How the Name Philomine Shapes Your Personality and Life?
You have a power of expression, either in speaking or writing. You are in favor for studying and research. You are clever, clear-sighted and intellectual. You don't like to let others know your true feelings. You might be atheistic or agnostic. You are intuitive and might be interested in the arts, drama or science.
You are always looking for an opportunity to achieve financial and emotional security. You are basically peacemaker. You understand the law of harmony and desire to balance your life with those around you. You may feel incomplete without someone to share your love, ideals, wealth or work. You can be very sensitive and could appear a bit shy and perceptive. You have developed intuition, patience and the ability to nurture others. You can achieve the state of happiness if you are willing to accept your needs in a complimentary relationship and go to create them.
✦ Philomine's Deeper Meaning & Tips for Parents Discover Philomine's symbolic numbers and practical tips for choosing a name that complements your child's birth date.