Holding steady.
Popularity of Phylisha since 1972
Babies named Phylisha per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1970s | 7 |
| 1980s | 44 |
| 1990s | 79 |
| 2000s | 5 |
| 2010s | 0 |
| 2020s | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Phylisha is a distinctly American name that emerged in the early 1970s, first recorded in 1972. It reflects a pattern of creative respellings and blend names popular in African American communities during that era. The name's peak came in 1989, when it saw its highest usage, but it never entered the national top 1000, remaining a rare choice. Its trajectory has been stable since the 1980s, with no signs of revival. As a modern coinage, it carries no ancient meanings or cross-cultural baggage, making it a blank slate for parents seeking a distinctive sound. The name is almost exclusively given to girls, consistent with the feminine -isha ending. No top states were recorded due to its scarcity, but it likely appears in diverse regions. For those drawn to names like Keisha or Tameka, Phylisha offers a similar rhythm with a unique spelling.
Phylisha is a 20th-century American invention, first recorded in 1972. It appears to be a creative respelling or combination of names like Felicia (meaning 'happy' from Latin) and Phyllis (from Greek 'phyllon' meaning 'leaf'), with the popular '-isha' suffix. The name saw modest use in the 1980s, peaking in 1989, but has remained rare overall.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Phyl, Lisha, Phyly
Sibling names for Phylisha
Names that share Phylisha's style, for a brother or sister.
