Holding steady.
Popularity of Phyliss since 1909
Babies named Phyliss per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1951, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Phyliss's real moment was 1931.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1900s | 5 |
| 1910s | 131 |
| 1920s | 358 |
| 1930s | 407 |
| 1940s | 541 |
| 1950s | 549 |
| 1960s | 336 |
| 1970s | 60 |
| 1980s | 19 |
| 1990s | 0 |
| 2000s | 0 |
| 2010s | 0 |
| 2020s | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Phyliss is an alternate spelling of Phyllis, a name that enjoyed peak popularity in 1931, when it placed among the top names for girls in the United States. During the 1930s, Phyllis appeared on the Social Security records with increasing frequency, and the spelling variant Phyliss emerged around the same time. Although the name has become less common since, it remains a recognizable mid-century choice. The trajectory of Phyliss has been stable in recent years, with very few new births recorded but a consistent, quiet presence.
Phyliss is a variant spelling of Phyllis, which comes from Greek φύλλον (phyllon) meaning "leaf." In Greek mythology, Phyllis was a Thracian princess who died for love and was transformed into an almond tree. The name was revived in the 19th century and remained popular into the mid-20th century. The alternative spelling Phyliss was occasionally used during the same period.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Phil, Lissie
Sibling names for Phyliss
Names that share Phyliss's style, for a brother or sister.
