Phyllip
A boy's name of Greek origin with 99 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
Phyllip sits in the vintage zone of American naming: first recorded in 1949, peaking in 1990, with 99 total births across its history.
The sharp, distinct quality of its ending — ending on a consonant gives it a firm, clear close — keeps the name compact and easy to pair with longer middle names or surnames.
Phyllip is not in the current top 1,000 boy names nationally, making it an uncommon choice — though your state or community may differ.
Phyllip is a boy's baby name of Greek origin, a variant spelling of Philip — from the Greek Philippos meaning 'lover of horses,' from philos (loving) and hippos (horse). Philip was the name of Alexander the Great's father and several kings throughout European history.
Phyllip takes the classic Greek name and adds a distinctive -yll- spelling, making it visually unusual while retaining all the historical weight of one of the most enduring classical names.
EtymologyShow more
Though Phyllip dates back to 1949 in U.S. records, its etymological path is not always straightforward. Names that predate modern naming databases sometimes resist easy classification — they may have been oral traditions, regional family names, or adaptations that were never systematically recorded. The Greek classification provides a starting point, but the full derivation likely involves more nuance than a single label can capture.
With only 99 recorded births, Phyllip has not been widely studied in naming literature — its story belongs primarily to the families who chose it.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Phyllip has 16+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1949.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Avg Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 13 | #11219 | ▲ |
| 2000s | 12 | #11011 | ▼ |
| 1990s | 21 | #7613 | ▼ |
| 1980s | 30 | #6592 | ▲ |
| 1950s | 18 | #3737 | ▲ |
| 1940s | 5 | #4085 | — |
The Story of Phyllip
A Millennial name
Peaking in 1990, Phyllip is a Millennial-era classic. Boys named Phyllip are most likely born between 1980 and 2000.
How rare is Phyllip?
With fewer than 500 recorded births, Phyllip is an exceptionally rare name — a one-of-a-kind choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1949, grew steadily over the decades, peaked in the 1980s with 30 births that decade, and has gracefully settled into a quieter chapter.
Phyllip by the numbers
- Would fill 2 school buses
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(16 years, 1949–2019)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 7 | #10537 |
| 2011 | 6 | #11900 |
| 2006 | 6 | #11689 |
| 2002 | 6 | #10333 |
| 1995 | 6 | #8599 |
| 1994 | 6 | #8538 |
| 1990 | 9 | #5703 |
| 1988 | 7 | #6270 |
| 1987 | 5 | #7834 |
| 1985 | 5 | #7316 |
| 1982 | 6 | #6199 |
| 1981 | 7 | #5342 |
| 1956 | 7 | #3452 |
| 1952 | 5 | #4128 |
| 1951 | 6 | #3630 |
| 1949 | 5 | #4085 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Phyllip a boy's or girl's name?
When was Phyllip most popular?
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Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1949–2019