Phylliss
A girl's name of Greek origin with 597 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
At 8 letters and two syllables, Phylliss is a longer name that carries presence on a page and formality in full, while likely inviting a natural nickname in daily life. It has been used as a girl's name in the U.S. since 1917, with 597 total recorded births.
Phylliss is not in the current top 1,000, which means your child is unlikely to share the name with a classmate — a plus for parents who value distinctiveness.
Phylliss is not in the current top 1,000 girl names nationally, making it an uncommon choice — though your state or community may differ.
Phylliss is a girl's baby name, a variant spelling of Phyllis, which is of Greek origin, from phyllis, meaning 'foliage' or 'green branch' — the name of a woman in Greek mythology who transformed into an almond tree.
Phylliss adds an extra s to the standard Phyllis, possibly reflecting a phonetic emphasis in how the name was pronounced regionally. Phyllis was a popular name in the United States from the 1920s through the 1950s, borne famously by actress and comedian Phyllis Diller.
EtymologyShow more
The ending of a name often carries more etymological information than the beginning. Phylliss's final sounds are sharp, distinct — ending on a consonant gives it a firm, clear close. In English-language naming, many feminine names end on open vowels or soft consonants, creating a melodic, approachable quality. Phylliss breaks from that pattern, giving it a more distinctive edge.
Explore the ending-based name pages on this site to find names that share Phylliss's suffix pattern — names with similar endings often share a style and era, even when they come from different linguistic backgrounds.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Phylliss has 49+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1917.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Avg Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 6 | #7732 | ▼ |
| 1960s | 78 | #4299 | ▼ |
| 1950s | 151 | #3175 | ▲ |
| 1940s | 145 | #2664 | ▲ |
| 1930s | 122 | #2611 | ▲ |
| 1920s | 85 | #3715 | ▲ |
| 1910s | 10 | #5298 | — |
The Story of Phylliss
A Baby Boomer name
Peaking in 1950, Phylliss is a timeless Baby Boomer name. Girls named Phylliss are most likely born between 1940 and 1960.
How rare is Phylliss?
With 597 total births on record, Phylliss remains a rare and distinctive pick.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1917, grew steadily over the decades, peaked in the 1950s with 151 births that decade, and has since become a rare, vintage choice.
Phylliss by the numbers
- Would fill 12 school buses
- Meeting one Phylliss per day would take 1.6 years
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(49 years, 1917–1970)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 1970 | 6 | #7732 |
| 1966 | 8 | #5158 |
| 1965 | 11 | #4138 |
| 1964 | 9 | #4899 |
| 1963 | 12 | #3970 |
| 1962 | 8 | #5176 |
| 1961 | 15 | #3432 |
| 1960 | 15 | #3320 |
| 1959 | 18 | #2842 |
| 1958 | 15 | #3196 |
| 1957 | 18 | #2799 |
| 1956 | 14 | #3286 |
| 1955 | 12 | #3526 |
| 1954 | 8 | #4557 |
| 1953 | 9 | #4161 |
| 1952 | 17 | #2649 |
| 1951 | 15 | #2781 |
| 1950 | 25 | #1950 |
| 1949 | 18 | #2396 |
| 1948 | 20 | #2240 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Phylliss a boy's or girl's name?
When was Phylliss most popular?
How popular is the name Phylliss?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1917–1970