Phylisha
A girl's name of American origin with 135 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
Phylisha peaked during the Millennial wave, when 19 babies received this name in a single year (1989). That era was defined by pop-culture-influenced, individuality-forward naming, and Phylisha has a more concentrated history, reflecting a specific cultural moment rather than a broad generational wave.
Phylisha is not in the current top 1,000 girl names nationally, making it an uncommon choice — though your state or community may differ.
Phylisha is a girl's baby name of American origin, a creative spelling variant of Felicia or Phyllis — Phyllis from the Greek meaning 'foliage' or 'green branch,' associated with the mythological figure who transformed into an almond tree. The Phylisha spelling blends both names' sounds into something new.
The name has a lush, leafy quality that feels both vintage and distinctive. It is extremely rare, giving anyone named Phylisha a truly unique identity while the name's sounds remain easy and familiar.
EtymologyShow more
Phonetically, Phylisha belongs to a cluster of names characterized by their open, warm ending — a soft ending that crosses many language boundaries. At three syllables, it has a three-beat flow that carries a sense of formality and completeness.
Within the American naming tradition, names with similar sound structures often share underlying etymological patterns. Exploring American names on this site may surface connections that illuminate Phylisha’s linguistic neighborhood.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Phylisha has 15+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1972.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Avg Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 5 | #16927 | ▼ |
| 1990s | 79 | #11409 | ▲ |
| 1980s | 44 | #5839 | ▲ |
| 1970s | 7 | #7068 | — |
The Story of Phylisha
A Millennial name
Peaking in 1989, Phylisha is a Millennial-era classic. Girls named Phylisha are most likely born between 1979 and 1999.
How rare is Phylisha?
With fewer than 500 recorded births, Phylisha is an exceptionally rare name — a one-of-a-kind choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1972, peaked in the 1990s with 79 births that decade, and has since become a rare, vintage choice.
Phylisha by the numbers
- Would fill 3 school buses
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(15 years, 1972–2000)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 5 | #16927 |
| 1999 | 7 | #12331 |
| 1998 | 8 | #10882 |
| 1997 | 5 | #15499 |
| 1996 | 5 | #15228 |
| 1995 | 6 | #12934 |
| 1994 | 11 | #7996 |
| 1993 | 5 | #15133 |
| 1992 | 10 | #8553 |
| 1991 | 11 | #7819 |
| 1990 | 11 | #7717 |
| 1989 | 19 | #4802 |
| 1988 | 15 | #5521 |
| 1987 | 10 | #7193 |
| 1972 | 7 | #7068 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Phylisha a boy's or girl's name?
When was Phylisha most popular?
How popular is the name Phylisha?
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Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1972–2000