Phyllis
From the masculine Ancient Greek Φύλλις (Phúllis) or from the feminine Φυλλίς (Phullís).
Every Phyllis since 1880 — 323,367 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Phyllis
Phyllis is rare for girls in the United States, ranked #12,873 in 2025 with 7 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.
Since 1880, 323,367 American babies have been named Phyllis. Its peak came in 1947, when 9,205 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1940s.
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 Phyllis stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Phyllis 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 | 7 | #12,873 | — | — |
| 2024 | 13 | #8,318 | — | — |
| 2023 | 7 | #13,136 | — | — |
| 2022 | 15 | #7,555 | — | — |
| 2021 | 11 | #9,403 | — | — |
| 2020 | 20 | #6,027 | — | — |
| 2019 | 15 | #7,633 | — | — |
| 2018 | 18 | #6,723 | — | — |
| 2017 | 21 | #5,988 | — | — |
| 2016 | 21 | #6,141 | — | — |
| 2015 | 22 | #5,987 | — | — |
| 2014 | 22 | #5,945 | — | — |
| 2013 | 19 | #6,664 | — | — |
| 2012 | 13 | #9,005 | — | — |
| 2011 | 20 | #6,512 | — | — |
| 2010 | 25 | #5,558 | — | — |
| 2009 | 23 | #6,047 | — | — |
| 2008 | 20 | #6,751 | — | — |
| 2007 | 24 | #5,859 | — | — |
| 2006 | 25 | #5,509 | — | — |
| 2005 | 31 | #4,464 | — | — |
| 2004 | 26 | #5,042 | — | — |
| 2003 | 29 | #4,503 | — | — |
| 2002 | 35 | #3,782 | — | — |
| 2001 | 42 | #3,300 | — | — |
| 2000 | 40 | #3,389 | — | — |
| 1995 | 69 | #2,000 | — | — |
| 1990 | 85 | #1,729 | — | — |
| 1985 | 129 | #1,124 | — | — |
| 1980 | 181 | #857 | — | — |
| 1975 | 325 | #531 | — | — |
| 1970 | 767 | #341 | — | — |
| 1965 | 2,464 | #155 | 7 | #3,473 |
| 1960 | 4,435 | #108 | 10 | #2,818 |
| 1955 | 5,689 | #74 | 20 | #1,774 |
| 1950 | 6,695 | #53 | 11 | #2,408 |
| 1945 | 6,530 | #40 | 19 | #1,568 |
| 1940 | 7,416 | #33 | 34 | #1,151 |
| 1935 | 7,370 | #27 | 31 | #1,220 |
| 1930 | 7,770 | #28 | 27 | #1,417 |
| 1925 | 6,486 | #40 | 16 | #2,062 |
| 1920 | 3,852 | #72 | — | — |
| 1915 | 2,088 | #100 | 5 | #4,266 |
| 1910 | 392 | #175 | — | — |
| 1905 | 183 | #235 | — | — |
| 1900 | 124 | #297 | — | — |
| 1895 | 65 | #350 | — | — |
| 1890 | 42 | #391 | — | — |
| 1885 | 11 | #689 | — | — |
| 1880 | 6 | #820 | — | — |
Famous people named Phyllis
- Phyllis Schlafly Social activist · 1924–2016
- Phyllis Diller Actor · 1917–2012
- Phyllis Somerville Actor · 1943–2020
- Phyllis Smith Actor · b. 1951
- Phyllis Logan Actor · b. 1956
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Phyllis mean?
From the masculine Ancient Greek Φύλλις (Phúllis) or from the feminine Φυλλίς (Phullís).
How popular is the name Phyllis in 2025?
Phyllis ranked #12,873 among girls' names in the United States in 2025, with 7 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Phyllis?
323,367 babies have been named Phyllis in the United States since 1880, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Phyllis most popular?
Phyllis peaked in 1947, when 9,205 newborns received the name.
Is Phyllis a boy or girl name?
Phyllis is overwhelmingly a girl's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Phyllis rising or falling?
Phyllis is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Phyllis?
Well-known people named Phyllis include Phyllis Schlafly (social activist), Phyllis Diller (actor), Phyllis Somerville (actor).