Phi
Every Phi since 1976 — 519 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Phi
Phi is not currently in use for newborns in the United States — fewer than five babies received the name in 2025. Its story lives in the historical record below.
Since 1976, 519 American babies have been named Phi — about 91% boys and 9% girls, making it a genuinely unisex name. Its peak came in 1992, when 26 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1990s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Phi stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Phi year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | — | — | — | — |
| 2024 | — | — | — | — |
| 2023 | — | — | — | — |
| 2022 | — | — | — | — |
| 2021 | — | — | — | — |
| 2020 | — | — | — | — |
| 2019 | — | — | — | — |
| 2018 | — | — | — | — |
| 2017 | — | — | — | — |
| 2016 | — | — | — | — |
| 2015 | — | — | 10 | #7,899 |
| 2014 | — | — | — | — |
| 2013 | — | — | — | — |
| 2012 | — | — | 5 | #13,714 |
| 2011 | — | — | — | — |
| 2010 | — | — | 5 | #13,754 |
| 2009 | 5 | #19,509 | 9 | #8,821 |
| 2008 | — | — | 11 | #7,576 |
| 2007 | — | — | 8 | #9,532 |
| 2006 | — | — | 9 | #8,565 |
| 2005 | — | — | 10 | #7,518 |
| 2004 | — | — | 9 | #8,010 |
| 2003 | — | — | 13 | #5,801 |
| 2002 | — | — | 12 | #5,982 |
| 2001 | — | — | 8 | #8,115 |
| 2000 | — | — | 10 | #6,700 |
| 1995 | — | — | 8 | #6,827 |
| 1990 | 6 | #12,475 | 19 | #3,275 |
| 1985 | — | — | 13 | #3,552 |
| 1980 | — | — | 10 | #4,055 |
| 1975 | — | — | — | — |
| 1970 | — | — | — | — |
| 1965 | — | — | — | — |
| 1960 | — | — | — | — |
| 1955 | — | — | — | — |
| 1950 | — | — | — | — |
| 1945 | — | — | — | — |
| 1940 | — | — | — | — |
| 1935 | — | — | — | — |
| 1930 | — | — | — | — |
| 1925 | — | — | — | — |
| 1920 | — | — | — | — |
| 1915 | — | — | — | — |
| 1910 | — | — | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — | — | — |
Frequently asked questions
How popular is the name Phi in 2025?
Phi did not appear in the 2025 Social Security data, which means fewer than five babies received the name that year.
How many people are named Phi?
519 babies have been named Phi in the United States since 1976, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Phi most popular?
Phi peaked in 1992, when 26 newborns received the name.
Is Phi a boy or girl name?
Phi is used for both: about 9% of babies named Phi have been girls and 91% boys.
Is the name Phi rising or falling?
Phi is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.