Phillisa first name popularity, history and meaning

Find out how popular the first name Phillisa has been for the last 1 years (from 1974 to 1974) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Meaning of Phillisa

Feminine variant of Philip, of Greek origin meaning "lover of horses".

Popularity of Phillisa by gender

Based on the last 1 years of data, Phillisa is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 1974, there were 7 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Phillisa.

Year Male Count Female Count
1974 0 7

The history of the first name Phillisa

The given name Phillisa is believed to have originated from the Greek language, specifically from the word "philos," meaning "beloved" or "friend." The name gained popularity during the Byzantine era, which spanned from the 4th to the 15th century.

Phillisa was a relatively common name among the Greek-speaking communities in the Byzantine Empire, particularly in the regions of modern-day Greece, Turkey, and parts of the Middle East. It was often associated with virtues such as kindness, loyalty, and affection.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Phillisa can be found in a Byzantine manuscript dated to the 9th century, which mentions a woman named Phillisa who was renowned for her charitable works and her dedication to helping the less fortunate.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Phillisa. One such figure was Phillisa of Hieron (c. 570-645), a Byzantine noblewoman and philanthropist known for her support of the arts and her patronage of various religious institutions.

Another prominent Phillisa was Phillisa of Ephesus (c. 825-910), a respected scholar and philosopher who made significant contributions to the fields of mathematics and astronomy during the Abbasid Caliphate era.

In the 12th century, Phillisa of Antioch (c. 1110-1175) was a renowned poet and writer whose works were widely celebrated for their lyrical beauty and profound insights into the human condition.

During the Renaissance period, Phillisa of Florence (c. 1420-1492) was a talented artist and fresco painter, renowned for her vibrant depictions of religious scenes and her innovative use of color and composition.

The name Phillisa also gained prominence in the Byzantine Empire's successor states, such as the Ottoman Empire, where Phillisa Fatima (c. 1550-1620) was a respected scholar and translator who played a pivotal role in bridging the cultural gap between the Ottoman and European worlds.

While the name Phillisa has retained its ancient Greek roots, it has also evolved and adapted to various cultural and linguistic contexts throughout history, reflecting the rich tapestry of human civilization and the enduring influence of the Byzantine Empire.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Phillisa was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Phillisa, please contact us.

Reference this page

We spend a lot of resources downloading, cleaning, merging, and formatting the data that is shown on the site.

If you found the data or information on this page useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly cite or reference Name Census as the source. We appreciate your support!

"Phillisa first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on June 9, 2025. http://namecensus.com/first-names/phillisa-meaning-and-history/.

"Phillisa first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/first-names/phillisa-meaning-and-history/. Accessed 9 June, 2025

Phillisa first name popularity, history and meaning. NameCensus.com. Retrieved from http://namecensus.com/first-names/phillisa-meaning-and-history/.

Search for a name

Search for a first or last name to learn more about its origin, meaning, and more.

Simple as that.