Holding steady.
Popularity of Phares since 1912
Babies named Phares per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1924, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Phares's real moment was 1912.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1910s | 34 |
| 1920s | 81 |
| 1930s | 29 |
| 1940s | 44 |
| 1950s | 16 |
| 1960s | 0 |
| 1970s | 5 |
| 1980s | 0 |
| 1990s | 5 |
| 2000s | 5 |
| 2010s | 0 |
| 2020s | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Phares is a rare biblical name that has never achieved widespread popularity in the United States. The Social Security Administration records show that 1912 was its peak year, and it has remained extremely uncommon since, with no recorded births in 2025. This rarity places Phares in a category of names that are deeply tied to religious history but have not entered the mainstream. The name's trajectory has been stable over the late 20th and early 21st centuries, never experiencing a revival. As a variant of Perez, it carries a distinct Old Testament heritage, often preferred by families seeking a name with strong biblical roots and a unique sound. Given its obscurity, Phares is most likely to be encountered in genealogical records or among faith communities that favor less common scriptural names. Its complete lack of top-state associations further underscores its status as a name that has never gained regional traction.
Phares is a rare given name that appears as a variant of Phares, itself the Greek form of the Hebrew name Perez (or Peretz). In the Bible, Perez was one of the twin sons of Judah and Tamar, and his name is interpreted as 'breach' or 'bursting forth' due to the circumstances of his birth. The name appears in the genealogies of Jesus in the New Testament. Its usage in English-speaking countries has been sporadic and uncommon, with only occasional records in early 20th-century United States.
Nicknames & variants
Sibling names for Phares
Names that share Phares's style, for a brother or sister.
