Phillys
A feminine name derived from the Greek city of Philippi.
Name Census estimates that about 5 living Americans carry the first name Phillys. The name is used almost exclusively for girls. The average person named Phillys today is around 82 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Phillys births was 1947 (6 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Phillys. 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
- • The typical person named Phillys is about 82 years old today, placing it firmly among the names of earlier generations. Most living Phillys' were born before 1954.
- • Fewer than 100 living Americans are believed to carry the name Phillys. It is among the rarest names in the SSA records.
People living today
5
~ 1 in 68,550,868 Americans
Peak year
1947
6 babies that year
Average age
82
years old
1947 SSA rank
#5,154
Tracked since 1920
Popularity
Phillys: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Phillys from the 1920s through to the 1940s, spanning 2 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 1940s, with 11 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
Phillys 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 Phillys 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 Phillys
The name Phillys has its roots in ancient Greek culture, originating from the word "philos," which means "beloved" or "dear." This name was particularly popular during the classical period of ancient Greece, spanning from the 5th to the 4th century BCE.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Phillys can be found in ancient Greek literature, specifically in Plato's philosophical dialogues. In his work "Phaedrus," Plato introduces a character named Phillys, who was a beloved companion of the protagonist, Socrates.
Throughout the centuries, several notable figures have borne the name Phillys. One of the most renowned was Phillys of Delos, a celebrated poet and musician who lived in the 3rd century BCE. Her works, although mostly lost to time, were highly praised by ancient writers for their beauty and emotional depth.
Another notable Phillys was a Greek mathematician and astronomer who lived in the 2nd century BCE. She is credited with contributing to the development of trigonometry and her work on celestial observations was widely respected in the ancient world.
In the realm of ancient Roman history, we encounter Phillys of Ephesus, a prominent philosopher and orator who lived during the 1st century CE. Her powerful rhetoric and compelling arguments made her a respected figure in the intellectual circles of her time.
Moving forward to the Byzantine era, we find Phillys the Martyr, a Christian saint who lived in the 4th century CE. She is venerated for her unwavering faith and sacrifice during the persecution of Christians under the Roman emperor Diocletian.
Throughout the ages, the name Phillys has maintained a presence, though not as widespread as some other Greek names. Numerous individuals have carried this name, each leaving their mark on the tapestry of history, whether through artistic endeavors, intellectual pursuits, or acts of bravery and conviction.
People
Phillys + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Phillys 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
Phillys: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Phillys?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 5 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Phillys 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 68,550,868 US residents.
Is Phillys a common name?
We classify Phillys as "Very Rare". It ranks above 18.2% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 16 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Phillys most popular?
The single biggest year for Phillys was 1947, when 6 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Phillys is about 82 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
Is Phillys a female name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Phillys 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.