Phyllistine
A girl's name of Greek origin with 80 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
Among U.S. girl's names, Phyllistine is not in the current national top 1,000. In fact, it is among the rarest names in the SSA dataset — a choice that signals bold individuality.
With records spanning 1947 to 1961, Phyllistine has a focused history that reflects a particular moment in naming culture rather than a centuries-old tradition.
Phyllistine is not in the current top 1,000 girl names nationally, making it an uncommon choice — though your state or community may differ.
Phyllistine is a girl's baby name of Greek origin, an elaborated variant of Phyllis, derived from the Greek phyllis meaning 'foliage, green boughs' — a name of botanical beauty associated with the fresh, living growth of trees and plants.
Phyllis was popular in the mid-20th century in America. Phyllistine gives it a more unusual, elaborate form with the "-tine" ending adding a formal, distinctive suffix. It carries the same nature connection as Phyllis in a considerably rarer and more individualistic form.
EtymologyShow more
Names travel. They cross oceans, change spelling, shift pronunciation, and accumulate new associations with each culture that adopts them. Phyllistine is rooted in the Greek tradition, but its presence in American naming since 1947 means it has been shaped by English phonetics, local customs, and the cultural context of the families who chose it.
Phyllistine’s rarity (80 recorded births) may indicate it is strongly tied to a specific cultural community or family tradition, rather than part of the broader American naming mainstream.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Phyllistine has 11+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1947.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Avg Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 5 | #7287 | ▼ |
| 1950s | 67 | #5009 | ▲ |
| 1940s | 8 | #4259 | — |
The Story of Phyllistine
A Baby Boomer name
Peaking in 1953, Phyllistine is a timeless Baby Boomer name. Girls named Phyllistine are most likely born between 1947 and 1961.
How rare is Phyllistine?
With fewer than 500 recorded births, Phyllistine is an exceptionally rare name — a one-of-a-kind choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1947, peaked in the 1950s with 67 births that decade, and has since become a rare, vintage choice.
Phyllistine by the numbers
- Would fill 2 school buses
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(11 years, 1947–1961)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 1961 | 5 | #7287 |
| 1959 | 7 | #5431 |
| 1957 | 8 | #4812 |
| 1956 | 5 | #6665 |
| 1955 | 7 | #5082 |
| 1954 | 10 | #3902 |
| 1953 | 10 | #3897 |
| 1952 | 5 | #6209 |
| 1951 | 9 | #3934 |
| 1950 | 6 | #5151 |
| 1947 | 8 | #4259 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Phyllistine a boy's or girl's name?
When was Phyllistine most popular?
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Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1947–1961