Entry № 4498 · Greek origin

Phyllis Phyllis — Meaning, Origin & Baby Name Popularity

/ FIL-iss /
Gender
Girl
Origin
Greek
Meaning
"Green leaves, foliage"
Syllables
2
Rank · US 2025
№ 0
First recorded
Ancient (Greek)

A name that means "green leaves, foliage".

Phyllis (Φυλλίς) comes from the Greek phyllon, meaning "leaf" or "foliage." In Greek myth, Phyllis is the Thracian princess who hanged herself for love of Demophon and was transformed into an almond tree.

Phyllis peaked at #36 in the U.S. in 1929 and has since declined. The actress Phyllis Diller (1917-2012) was a notable bearer.

Green leaves. The transformed almond tree.

The name in its native script.

Φυλλίς
Transliteration
Phyllís
Pronunciation
/ ˈfɪl.ɪs /
Root
Grammatical form

Where Phyllis stands.

Current rank · 2025
№ 0 in the U.S.
All-time peak
№ 36 in 1929
Babies named Phyllis · last year
87 in the U.S.
First entered SSA top-1000
1880
Rank, 1995–2025 Lower = more popular
№25 №75 №150 №250 1995 2005 2015 2020 2025 PEAK · №36 NOW · —

Phylliss before her.

Real people
Phyllis Diller
American comedian.
1917 – 2012
Phillis Wheatley
First African American poet.
1753 – 1784
In fiction
Phyllis
Thracian princess of Greek myth.
Greek mythology

Names connected to Phyllis.

The number behind Phyllis.

1

The Pioneer

Phyllis reduces to one — the number of leafy transformation.

Why families chose this name.

"Phyllis Wheatley. Phyllis Diller. Seven letters of vintage."
Catherine · Mother of one · Boston