Phyliss
A girl's name of Greek origin with 2,406 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
Parents who choose Phyliss tend to be looking for something that feels real but not common — a name with 2,406 recorded births and a peak of 70 in 1951, enough history to feel legitimate without being ordinary.
The sharp, distinct ending gives Phyliss a crisp, modern feel that pairs easily with most surnames.
Phyliss is not in the current top 1,000 girl names nationally, making it an uncommon choice — though your state or community may differ.
Phyliss is a girl's baby name of Greek origin, a variant spelling of Phyllis, from the Greek phyllis meaning 'green bough' or 'foliage.' In Greek mythology, Phyllis was a Thracian princess who transformed into an almond tree. The alternate spelling appeared in mid-20th-century American records.
EtymologyShow more
In the American context, Phyliss is a girl's name with several decades of recorded use (1909–1983). Its Greek roots connect it to a broader naming tradition, but in practice, American usage often reshapes names — adding nicknames, shifting pronunciation, and building new associations that diverge from the original cultural context.
Though no longer in the top 1,000, Phyliss’s 2,406 recorded births mean it has left a mark. Every name carries the accumulated identity of the people who have worn it — and Phyliss has decades of that history.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Phyliss has 71+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1909.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Avg Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 19 | #9548 | ▼ |
| 1970s | 60 | #7773 | ▼ |
| 1960s | 336 | #2312 | ▼ |
| 1950s | 549 | #1394 | ▲ |
| 1940s | 541 | #1121 | ▲ |
| 1930s | 407 | #1142 | ▲ |
| 1920s | 358 | #1347 | ▲ |
| 1910s | 131 | #2084 | ▲ |
| 1900s | 5 | #2476 | — |
The Story of Phyliss
A Baby Boomer name
Peaking in 1951, Phyliss is a timeless Baby Boomer name. Girls named Phyliss are most likely born between 1941 and 1961.
How rare is Phyliss?
With 2,406 total births on record, Phyliss remains a rare and distinctive pick.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1909, grew steadily over the decades, peaked in the 1950s with 549 births that decade, and has since become a rare, vintage choice.
Phyliss by the numbers
- Would fill 50 school buses
- Meeting one Phyliss per day would take 6.6 years
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(71 years, 1909–1983)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 1983 | 6 | #9873 |
| 1981 | 7 | #8775 |
| 1980 | 6 | #9996 |
| 1977 | 5 | #10781 |
| 1976 | 6 | #8900 |
| 1975 | 11 | #5410 |
| 1974 | 5 | #9786 |
| 1973 | 5 | #9383 |
| 1972 | 7 | #7069 |
| 1971 | 8 | #6435 |
| 1970 | 13 | #4422 |
| 1969 | 13 | #4114 |
| 1968 | 17 | #3272 |
| 1967 | 21 | #2763 |
| 1966 | 33 | #2047 |
| 1965 | 34 | #2017 |
| 1964 | 32 | #2141 |
| 1963 | 48 | #1666 |
| 1962 | 49 | #1622 |
| 1961 | 53 | #1564 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Phyliss a boy's or girl's name?
When was Phyliss most popular?
How popular is the name Phyliss?
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Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1909–1983