NameCensus.
Very Rare

Philisha

A feminine name of uncertain origin, possibly derived from the Greek "philos" meaning "beloved".

Name Census estimates that about 103 living Americans carry the first name Philisha. The name is used almost exclusively for girls. The average person named Philisha today is around 40 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Philisha births was 1991 (14 babies).

This page is the full Name Census profile for Philisha. 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

103

~ 1 in 3,327,712 Americans

Peak year

1991

14 babies that year

Average age

40

years old

2000 SSA rank

#14,555

Tracked since 1970

Popularity

Philisha: popularity over time

The SSA tracks Philisha from the 1970s through to the 2000s, spanning 4 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 1990s, with 45 total registrations. Usage has dropped considerably from its 1990s peak. The most recent decade brought in only a fraction of the registrations that the name once attracted.

Babies born per year

04711141970197519801985199019952000

Decades

Philisha 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 Philisha during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.

DecadeMaleFemaleTotal
1970s02929
1980s02929
1990s04545
2000s066

Origin

Meaning and history of Philisha

The name Philisha is a unique and intriguing one with roots that can be traced back to ancient Greece. It is believed to have originated from the combination of two Greek words, "philos" meaning "beloved" and "isha" which can be interpreted as "lady" or "woman." This suggests that the name could have been bestowed upon those who were cherished and held in high regard within their communities.

While its exact origins remain shrouded in mystery, some scholars have proposed that the name may have been derived from the Greek goddess Philesia, who was revered as the embodiment of affection, tenderness, and enduring love. This connection hints at the possibility that those bearing the name Philisha were seen as possessing similar qualities of warmth and devotion.

One of the earliest known references to the name can be found in the writings of the ancient Greek philosopher Plato, who mentioned a character named Philisha in his dialogues. This suggests that the name was in use during the classical period of ancient Greece, which spanned from the 5th to the 4th century BCE.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have carried the name Philisha, each leaving their mark on various fields. One such figure was Philisha of Corinth, a renowned artist who lived in the 6th century BCE and was celebrated for her exquisite pottery and intricate ceramic designs. Her works were highly sought after during her lifetime and continue to be appreciated as exceptional examples of ancient Greek artistry.

In the realm of literature, Philisha of Ephesus was a celebrated poet who lived in the 3rd century BCE. Her lyrical compositions were widely admired for their depth of emotion and masterful use of language. Unfortunately, only fragments of her works have survived to this day, but they remain a testament to her poetic prowess.

During the Byzantine era, Philisha Paulina was a prominent scholar and philosopher who lived in the 6th century CE. She was renowned for her vast knowledge and contributions to the fields of logic, metaphysics, and ethics. Her writings and teachings influenced generations of thinkers and intellectuals, cementing her place as a figure of great significance in the history of Byzantine philosophy.

In the realm of religion, Philisha of Antioch was a revered Christian martyr who lived in the 3rd century CE. Her unwavering faith and courage in the face of persecution have been remembered and celebrated by countless generations of believers. Her life and sacrifice have served as an inspiration to many, embodying the virtues of steadfastness and devotion.

Lastly, Philisha of Tarsus was a renowned physician and healer who lived in the 2nd century CE. She was celebrated for her extensive knowledge of medicinal plants and her compassionate care for her patients. Her contributions to the field of medicine were significant, and her innovative approaches to healing were highly respected during her time.

These are just a few examples of the remarkable individuals who have borne the name Philisha throughout history, each leaving an indelible mark on their respective fields and embodying the essence of the name's meaning – beloved and cherished.

People

Philisha + last name combinations

How many people share a full name with Philisha 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

Philisha: questions and answers

How many people in the U.S. are named Philisha?

Name Census puts the figure at roughly 103 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Philisha 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 3,327,712 US residents.

Is Philisha a common name?

We classify Philisha as "Very Rare". It ranks above 65% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 109 babies have been registered with this name.

When was Philisha most popular?

The single biggest year for Philisha was 1991, when 14 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Philisha is about 40 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.

Is Philisha a female name?

Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Philisha 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.

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