Phyllis
Primarily a girl's name of Greek origin with 322,490 recorded births. Also given to 871 boys.
Meaning & Origin
A girl who killed herself for love and was turned into an almond tree.
Phyllis is a girl's and boy's baby name of Greek origin, from the Greek phyllis meaning "green branch" or "foliage." In Greek mythology, Phyllis was a Thracian princess who transformed into an almond tree after dying of grief — giving the name a poetic, nature-rooted origin.
Phyllis was a top-20 girls' name in the U.S. through the 1920s and 1930s. Comedian Phyllis Diller, with her outrageous persona and sharp wit, became the name's most memorable ambassador. It has a vintage botanical feel — earthy and graceful — that echoes names like Sylvia and Flora.
EtymologyShow more
Phyllis first shows up in U.S. Social Security records in 1880. Names present in the earliest SSA data (which begins in 1880) were typically carried by immigrants from Europe, handed down through families, or drawn from biblical and classical sources.
Its Greek classification suggests a path from greek linguistic traditions into American usage, though the specific route — whether through immigration, literature, or cultural exchange — would require deeper historical research.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Phyllis was #5042 twenty years ago and has since drifted to #8282, but its charm endures.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Avg Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 66 | #8877 | ▼ |
| 2010s | 196 | #6615 | ▼ |
| 2000s | 295 | #4864 | ▼ |
| 1990s | 686 | #2145 | ▼ |
| 1980s | 1,430 | #1081 | ▼ |
| 1970s | 3,836 | #545 | ▼ |
| 1960s | 25,704 | #172 | ▼ |
| 1950s | 57,766 | #76 | ▼ |
| 1940s | 76,142 | #40 | ▲ |
| 1930s | 73,804 | #28 | ▲ |
| 1920s | 61,871 | #43 | ▲ |
| 1910s | 17,885 | #116 | ▲ |
| 1900s | 2,023 | #230 | ▲ |
| 1890s | 633 | #373 | ▲ |
| 1880s | 153 | #622 | — |
The Story of Phyllis
A Baby Boomer name
Peaking in 1947, Phyllis is a timeless Baby Boomer name. Girls named Phyllis are most likely born between 1937 and 1957.
How rare is Phyllis?
Only about 1 in every 276,923 babies born in 2024 was named Phyllis — a truly uncommon choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1880, grew steadily over the decades, peaked in the 1940s with 76,142 births that decade, and has since become a rare, vintage choice.
Phyllis by the numbers
- Enough Phylliss to fill 4.6 football stadiums
- More Phylliss than the population of a small U.S. town
- Meeting one Phyllis per day would take 883.5 years
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(145 years, 1880–2024)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 13 | #8282 |
| 2023 | 7 | #13126 |
| 2022 | 15 | #7549 |
| 2021 | 11 | #9403 |
| 2020 | 20 | #6024 |
| 2019 | 15 | #7630 |
| 2018 | 18 | #6723 |
| 2017 | 21 | #5987 |
| 2016 | 21 | #6141 |
| 2015 | 22 | #5984 |
| 2014 | 22 | #5945 |
| 2013 | 19 | #6663 |
| 2012 | 13 | #9004 |
| 2011 | 20 | #6511 |
| 2010 | 25 | #5557 |
| 2009 | 23 | #6046 |
| 2008 | 20 | #6751 |
| 2007 | 24 | #5859 |
| 2006 | 25 | #5508 |
| 2005 | 31 | #4464 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Phyllis as a Boy's Name
While overwhelmingly a girl's name, Phyllis has also been given to 871 boys in the U.S. since 1913.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Phyllis a boy's or girl's name?
When was Phyllis most popular?
How popular is the name Phyllis?
Can Phyllis be used for both boys and girls?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1880–2024