Declining since 1985, #11,932 for girls today.
Popularity of Phyllis since 1880
Babies named Phyllis per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1947, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Phyllis's real moment was 1929.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 153 |
| 1890s | 633 |
| 1900s | 2,023 |
| 1910s | 17,885 |
| 1920s | 61,871 |
| 1930s | 73,805 |
| 1940s | 76,143 |
| 1950s | 57,764 |
| 1960s | 25,704 |
| 1970s | 3,835 |
| 1980s | 1,430 |
| 1990s | 686 |
| 2000s | 295 |
| 2010s | 196 |
| 2020s | 73 |
Meaning & origin
Phyllis is a name from Greek mythology and nature, evoking leaves and greenery. Its usage in the United States has been tracked since at least 1880, when records begin, and it steadily climbed to reach its peak in 1929, the Jazz Age era when it was a top choice. The name ranked among the most popular girls' names during that period, but its popularity has since declined. By 1985, it began a consistent trajectory of falling usage, and as of 2025, it ranks 11,932nd, with roughly 1 in every 229,610 baby girls receiving the name. The name's vintage charm may appeal to parents who appreciate mid-century understated style, though it remains quite rare today. Phyllis is not currently a top name in any U.S. state.
Phyllis derives from the Greek word φύλλον (phyllon) meaning 'leaf' or 'foliage.' In Greek mythology, Phyllis was a Thracian princess who, abandoned by her lover Demophon, was transformed into an almond tree. The name entered English use in the 16th century through classical literature and was modestly used until experiencing a sharp rise in popularity in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, peaking in the 1920s. It fell out of widespread favor thereafter and is now rare.
Where Phyllis is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Phyl, Phil, Lissy
Variants: Phylis, Phyllida, Fillis
Sibling names for Phyllis
Names that share Phyllis's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Doris, Gladys, Mildred, Ethel, Thelma, Ardith, Dorene, Corliss, Genell, Glennis, Joette, Laurice, Sherley, Vernita, Corlis, Ardythe, Joyceann, Challis, Cloris, Dorrine, Janyth, Lynore
Brothers: Harold, Walter, Clarence, Eugene, Ralph, Laverne, Jeryl, Randell, Verlyn, Durwin, Garnell, Dervin, Leldon, Dareld, Jerol, Noris, Wendle
