Boy Name · Greek Origin
Philemon
Philemon means “Kindly, affectionate”. It is a boy's name of Greek origin, and it is rare in the United States today — outside the SSA top 1,000.
Origin and meaning: English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0). Popularity: US Social Security Administration.
Philemon is a boy baby name of Greek origin, meaning "Kindly, affectionate". It currently sits in the Rare tier of US baby names for 2026, and parents who love Philemon often also consider Philomena.
Philemon meaning, origin, and usage
Meaning: Kindly, affectionate
Origin: Greek naming roots help connect Philemon to related Greek baby names.
Pronunciation: Baby Name Studio pronounces Philemon as P·H·I·L·E·M·O·N, with 8 letters and a boy usage profile.
Popularity: According to Baby Name Studio's 2026 tracker, Philemon is an uncommon, standout choice in the Rare tier.
Philemon variants, nicknames, middle names, and sibling names
- Variants and spelling ideas: Philemona, Philemone, Philemony, Philemo.
- Nicknames: Phil and P.
- Middle names: Pair Philemon with a middle name that balances its substantial sound; start with the Philemon middle name generator.
- Sibling names: Philomena, Peterson, Philippe, Phillipe, Princeton — full picks on the sibling names for Philemon guide for a cohesive sibset.
- Similar names: Looking for names that sound like Philemon? Browse our names like Philemon guide for phonetic-neighbor picks.
- Explore more: use the Baby Name Explorer, name search, AI name generator, and Baby Name Studio homepage.
Frequently asked about Philemon
What does the name Philemon mean?
Philemon means "Kindly, affectionate" and is of Greek origin. The meaning is recorded in English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0), and in US records Philemon is used as a boy name.
What is the origin of Philemon?
Philemon originates in Greek naming tradition.
How do you pronounce Philemon?
Philemon has 8 letters and is most commonly stressed on the first syllable.
Is Philemon a boy's or girl's name?
Philemon is primarily used as a boy's name in US records.
How popular is Philemon in 2026?
In our 2026 popularity tracker, Philemon sits in the Rare tier — an uncommon, standout choice.
What names are similar to Philemon?
Names that share Philemon's sound and style include Philomena, Peterson, Philippe, Phillipe, Princeton.
What middle names pair well with Philemon?
Good middle-name fits for Philemon pair an opposite syllable rhythm: if Philemon is short, lean longer (e.g. classical or three-syllable middles); if Philemon is longer, a one-syllable middle keeps the full name from feeling heavy.
What are good sibling names for Philemon?
Sibling names that pair naturally with Philemon share its rhythm without rhyming — Philomena, Peterson, Philippe all sit comfortably alongside it on a shortlist.