Girl New Testament Rare
Apphia
productive; fruitful
Ἀπφία Apphia
Apphia (Greek: Ἀπφία, Apphia) means “productive; fruitful”, by traditional interpretation. It appears once, at Philemon 1:2. In 2025 it was given to 32 children in the United States. Use is rising. Appears with Archippus in Philemon 1.
The bearer in scripture
One person in scripture bears this name.
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Apphia
Scripture against society
The two measures, side by side
At a glance
- Verses
- 1 across 1 book
- Bearers
- 1 one person only
- Testament
- New
- Era
- Apostolic
- Hapax
- Yes occurs exactly once
Using it today
Based on 2025 births across the United States.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| Given in 2025 | 32 | Rising |
| All-time total | 257 | Since records begin in 1880 |
| Peak | 32 in 2025 | Its highest year on record |
| Ten-year trend | +298% | Change in share of births |
In scripture
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| First appears | Philemon 1:2 |
| Cross-references | 14 linked passages |
Names connected to this one
- Archippus co-occurrence Appears with Archippus in Philemon 1.
- Philemon co-occurrence Appears in the same passages as Philemon.
- Epaphras co-occurrence Appears in the same passages as Epaphras.
- Demas co-occurrence Appears in the same passages as Demas.
- Onesimus co-occurrence Appears in the same passages as Onesimus.
- Luke co-occurrence Appears in the same passages as Luke.
- Aristarchus co-occurrence Appears in the same passages as Aristarchus.
- Epaphroditus co-occurrence Appears in the same passages as Epaphroditus.
Origin & meaning
Ἀπφία, -ας, ἡ
Apphia: Phm 2 (MM, see word).†
(AS)
Apphia, likely a member of Philemon's household, was one of the recipients of Paul's letter to Philemon.
The biblical story
Apphia is mentioned in the opening of Paul's letter to Philemon as one of the recipients of the letter, along with Philemon and Archippus. Paul addresses her as "our sister," indicating that she was a fellow believer and likely a member of Philemon's household. Some scholars suggest that Apphia may have been Philemon's wife, but this is not explicitly stated in the text.
The letter to Philemon is a personal appeal from Paul regarding Onesimus, a runaway slave who had become a Christian under Paul's ministry. Paul sends Onesimus back to Philemon, his master, with this letter, urging Philemon to receive Onesimus back not as a slave, but as a beloved brother in Christ. By addressing the letter to Apphia and Archippus as well, Paul emphasizes the communal nature of the request and the shared responsibility of the Christian community in welcoming Onesimus. Beyond this mention in the letter to Philemon, no further details about Apphia's life or role in the early church are provided in the Bible.
Key verses
Apphia appears in 1 verse. Here are some of the most notable:
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And to our beloved Apphia, and Archippus our fellowsoldier, and to the church in thy house:
Philemon 1:2
Show all 1 reference
Philemon (1)
- Philemon 1:2