Emma Girl
EH-muh
“whole, universal” · Germanic
#3
Phyllis
GirlGreek· “foliage, leafy”
- Meaning
- foliage, leafy
- Origin
- Greek
- Pronunciation
- FIL-is
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #12,873
- US babies 2025
- 7
- Best rank
- #24 (1929)
- Peak year
- 1947
Meaning and origin of Phyllis
Phyllis is a Greek name that means “foliage, leafy”.
Phyllis is a Greek name meaning foliage or leafy, from phyllon, leaf. In Greek mythology, Phyllis is a Thracian princess who dies of grief after her lover Demophon fails to return and is turned into an almond tree. The name was used by pastoral poets from ancient times onward and became popular in English-speaking countries in the early twentieth century. It is said FIL-is, two syllables with the stress on the first. Phyl is an easy nickname. Today it has a strong vintage feel, and its leafy meaning might appeal to parents who like nature names.
Other spellings with the same sound: Phillis.
Popularity over time
Phyllis has been given to babies in the United States since at least 1880, the first year of Social Security records. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 105 different years. Its best national rank was #24 in 1929, and the most babies received it in 1947, when 9,187 were named Phyllis. In 2025, 7 babies were named Phyllis, and it ranked #12,873 nationally. That is 68% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #72 in 1920, #53 in 1950, #857 in 1980, #3,389 in 2000, #5,558 in 2010, and #12,873 in 2025. Of the 322,496 US girls named Phyllis since records began, 24% were born in the 1940s, its biggest decade. The 1930s come next, with 73,805 babies. Since 2010, 269 more have been named Phyllis.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Jane, Bonnie, Martha, Elaine, and Marilyn.
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Phyllis is usually pronounced FIL-is, with two syllables. It has seven letters, starts with P and ends in “-is”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Phillis.
Middle names for Phyllis
A few middle names that flow with Phyllis: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Phyllis
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Lists that include Phyllis
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Phyllis mean?
Phyllis is a Greek name that means “foliage, leafy”.
What is the origin of the name Phyllis?
Phyllis has Greek roots. Phyllis is a Greek name meaning foliage or leafy, from phyllon, leaf.
Is Phyllis a popular name?
Not especially. Phyllis ranked #12,873 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Phyllis a boy or girl name?
Phyllis is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Phyllis?
Phyllis is usually pronounced FIL-is. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings