Phelicia
Of Greek origin, meaning "prosperous" or "successful".
Name Census estimates that about 187 living Americans carry the first name Phelicia. The name is used almost exclusively for girls. The average person named Phelicia today is around 43 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Phelicia births was 1987 (13 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Phelicia. 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.
People living today
187
~ 1 in 1,832,911 Americans
Peak year
1987
13 babies that year
Average age
43
years old
1997 SSA rank
#15,496
Tracked since 1965
Popularity
Phelicia: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Phelicia from the 1960s through to the 1990s, spanning 4 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 1990s, with 65 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
Phelicia 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 Phelicia 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 Phelicia
The given name Phelicia has its roots in the ancient Greek language, where it is believed to have originated as a feminine form of the name Phelix or Felix. This name derives from the Latin word "felix," which means "happy" or "prosperous." The name Phelicia likely emerged during the classical period of ancient Greece, around the 5th century BCE, and was used primarily in regions with strong Greek cultural influences.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Phelicia can be found in the writings of the renowned Greek historian Plutarch, who lived in the 1st century CE. In his work titled "Parallel Lives," he mentions a woman named Phelicia who was a prominent figure in the city of Corinth. However, little is known about her life or accomplishments beyond this brief reference.
Throughout the Middle Ages, the name Phelicia appears to have been relatively uncommon, with few notable individuals bearing this moniker. It wasn't until the Renaissance period that the name gained some popularity, particularly in Italy and other parts of Europe influenced by classical Greek and Roman culture.
One of the first notable figures with the name Phelicia was an Italian Renaissance painter named Phelicia Gozzadini, who lived from 1450 to 1515. She was known for her religious works and portraits, and her art can be found in various churches and museums across Italy.
Another significant individual with the name Phelicia was a 17th-century English poet and playwright named Phelicia Cary, who lived from 1624 to 1680. She was one of the first English women to have her plays performed publicly and is considered a pioneer in the world of English literature.
In the 18th century, Phelicia Mallet-Prevost, a French writer and translator, made her mark. Born in 1723 and living until 1799, she was renowned for her translations of English works into French and her contributions to the French literary scene.
Moving into the 19th century, Phelicia Stokes, an American abolitionist and women's rights activist, lived from 1822 to 1909. She was a prominent figure in the anti-slavery movement and worked tirelessly to promote equality and social justice.
Finally, in the early 20th century, Phelicia Hinkle, an American painter and printmaker, gained recognition for her artistic talents. Born in 1900 and living until 1986, she was known for her bold and expressive style, often depicting scenes from everyday life.
While the name Phelicia has never been among the most popular given names, it has a rich history and has been borne by numerous individuals who have made significant contributions to various fields throughout the centuries.
People
Phelicia + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Phelicia 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
Phelicia: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Phelicia?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 187 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Phelicia 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 1,832,911 US residents.
Is Phelicia a common name?
We classify Phelicia as "Very Rare". It ranks above 73.3% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 202 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Phelicia most popular?
The single biggest year for Phelicia was 1987, when 13 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Phelicia is about 43 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
Is Phelicia a female name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Phelicia 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.
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.