Phalyn
An anglicized feminine name of unclear origin, potentially from Greek.
Name Census estimates that about 39 living Americans carry the first name Phalyn. The name is used almost exclusively for girls. The average person named Phalyn today is around 21 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Phalyn births was 2013 (10 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Phalyn. Below you will find a gender breakdown showing how the name splits between male and female registrations, a year-by-year popularity chart stretching back to 1880, decade-level totals, the top US states for this name, its meaning and etymology, and a set of frequently asked questions with data-backed answers.
Key insights
- • Fewer than 100 living Americans are believed to carry the name Phalyn. It is among the rarest names in the SSA records.
People living today
39
~ 1 in 8,788,573 Americans
Peak year
2013
10 babies that year
Average age
21
years old
2013 SSA rank
#10,825
Tracked since 1982
Popularity
Phalyn: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Phalyn from the 1980s through to the 2010s, spanning 3 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 2010s, with 18 total registrations. The name continues to be given at rates close to its all-time high, suggesting it has not yet fallen out of fashion.
Babies born per year
Decades
Phalyn by decade
The table below breaks the full SSA timeline into ten-year windows. Each row shows how many male and female babies were given the name Phalyn during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
Origin
Meaning and history of Phalyn
The name Phalyn is a relatively uncommon given name with its origins shrouded in mystery. While its exact derivation is uncertain, it is believed to have roots in the ancient Celtic languages spoken across parts of Europe and the British Isles.
One theory suggests that Phalyn may be derived from the Old Irish word "failenn," which means "radiant" or "shining." This could imply that the name was originally bestowed upon individuals with a bright or luminous demeanor. Alternatively, it might have evolved from the Welsh word "ffalen," meaning "ray" or "beam," further reinforcing the association with light and radiance.
The earliest recorded instances of the name Phalyn can be traced back to medieval times, appearing sporadically in historical records and annals from various regions. In the 11th century, a Phalyn ap Gwyddno is mentioned as a notable warrior in the Welsh chronicles, though little else is known about his life and deeds.
In the 14th century, a Phalyn de Courcelles is documented as a French nobleman who played a role in the Hundred Years' War between England and France. His legacy, however, has been largely overshadowed by the more prominent figures of the era.
Fast forward to the 16th century, and we encounter Phalyn Dolye, an Irish poet and bard whose works celebrated the natural beauty of the Emerald Isle. While only a handful of his compositions have survived, they offer a glimpse into the artistic and cultural heritage of the time.
The 18th century saw the rise of Phalyn Mackenzie, a Scottish Highland clan chief known for his unwavering loyalty to the Jacobite cause during the uprisings against the House of Hanover. His bravery and leadership in battle earned him a place in the annals of Scottish history.
Lastly, in the 19th century, we find Phalyn Devereux, an English explorer and naturalist who embarked on numerous expeditions across Africa and Asia. His detailed accounts of the flora and fauna he encountered contributed significantly to the field of natural history during that era.
While the name Phalyn may not be as widespread as some others, its unique origins and historical associations imbue it with a sense of mystery and intrigue. From warriors and poets to explorers and clan leaders, those who have borne this name have left an indelible mark on the tapestry of human history.
People
Phalyn + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Phalyn as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.
Related
Other names starting with P
Other first names starting with P with a similar number of bearers.
FAQ
Phalyn: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Phalyn?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 39 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Phalyn going back to 1880 and adjusting each cohort for expected survival using CDC actuarial life tables. The result is an age-weighted living-bearer count, not a raw birth total. That works out to about 1 in 8,788,573 US residents.
Is Phalyn a common name?
We classify Phalyn as "Very Rare". It ranks above 50.6% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 40 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Phalyn most popular?
The single biggest year for Phalyn was 2013, when 10 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Phalyn is about 21 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
What does the SSA popularity chart show?
The chart tracks births, not the number of people alive with the name today. Each point shows how many babies were given the name Phalyn in that year. That makes it useful for spotting when the name rose, peaked, or faded.
Is Phalyn a female name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Phalyn in the SSA data are female. You can see the full per-sex comparison in the gender distribution section above, which includes the latest year rank, birth count, and peak year for each sex.
Is Phalyn still being used today?
Yes. The SSA still recorded Phalyn in 2024, and the page above shows its latest-year rank where available. A name can be well past its peak and still remain in steady use, especially if it built up a large population over earlier decades.
Why can a name have a lot of living bearers even if it is not trendy now?
Because living-bearer counts and current baby-name popularity measure different things. A name like Phalyn can build up a very large population over many decades, even if fewer parents are choosing it now than they did at its peak.
Where does this data come from?
First-name figures come from the Social Security Administration's national baby name files, which cover every name on a birth certificate from 1880 to 2024. Living-bearer estimates layer in CDC actuarial life tables broken out by sex to account for mortality. The population baseline (342,754,338) is the Census Bureau's latest national estimate. You can read the full calculation on our methodology page.
Does every first name have Census demographic data?
No. The public Census first-name release only covers names that met the Bureau's publication rules, so many rarer names in the SSA files do not have a published Census demographic snapshot. In those cases, the page still shows the SSA trend, gender history, and state data.
How many people share the name Phalyn?
For a quick modern estimate, our sister site HowManyOfMe.org answers that in one glance, with the living-bearer count front and centre.