Phyllis
Phyllis is a girls' name of Greek origin meaning “Green bough or foliage.” From the Greek 'phyllon' meaning leaf or foliage.
Torn between Phyllis and another name? Ask family and friends to vote
how do you pronounce Phyllis?
FIL-is
where does the name Phyllis come from?
A feminine name of Greek origin, also spelled Phillis, meaning foliage.
In Greek mythology Phyllis was a Thracian princess transformed into an almond tree. It was highly popular in mid-20th century America and is now considered a vintage name ripe for revival.
how popular is this name?
Phyllis has appeared in the US top 1,000 in 105 years since 1880. It peaked at #24 in 1929, and ranked #957 in 1984.
See the milestone years
| Year | Rank |
|---|---|
| 1984 | #957 |
| 1983 | #880 |
| 1982 | #871 |
| 1981 | #851 |
| 1980 | #853 |
| 1979 | #782 |
| 1978 | #711 |
| 1977 | #664 |
| 1976 | #642 |
| 1975 | #531 |
| 1970 | #341 |
| 1960 | #108 |
| 1950 | #53 |
| 1940 | #33 |
| 1930 | #28 |
| 1929 | #24 |
| 1920 | #72 |
| 1910 | #175 |
| 1900 | #297 |
| 1890 | #384 |
| 1880 | #738 |
Source: SSA National Baby Names Dataset (through 2025). Years absent from the table are years Phyllis fell outside the top 1,000.
the history of Phyllis
In Greek mythology Phyllis killed herself in despair when Demophon of Athens failed to return to her, and the gods turned her into an almond tree.
what are the nicknames and variants of Phyllis?
Nicknames
Variants around the world
who are famous people named Phyllis?
- Phyllis Diller
- Phyllis McGinley
what names are similar to Phyllis?
what names go well with Phyllis?
Sibling names that share Phyllis's rhythm and register without echoing it too closely.
quick answers about Phyllis
What does the name Phyllis mean?
Phyllis means “Green bough or foliage”.
What is the origin of the name Phyllis?
Phyllis comes from the Greek naming tradition. Related forms include Phillis, Phillida, Phyllicia and Phyllida.
How popular is the name Phyllis?
Phyllis ranked #957 in the US in 1984, according to Social Security data. Its best year was 1929, at #24, and it has spent 105 years in the top 1,000 since 1880.
Is Phyllis a boy or girl name?
Phyllis is primarily a girls' name.
How do you pronounce Phyllis?
Phyllis is pronounced FIL-is, with 2 syllables.
Last updated · Curated by HushName editorial
love Phyllis? get 10 more names curated for your family.
Popularity rankings and meanings are just the starting point. Our AI consultant finds names that match your heritage, style, and what matters most to you.
Completely free. No credit card required.
Start your free session