Find out how popular the first name Phoenicia has been for the last 22 years (from 1977 to 1998) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Phoenicia by gender

Based on the last 22 years of data, Phoenicia is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 1998, there were 5 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Phoenicia.

The history of the first name Phoenicia

The name Phoenicia has its origins in the ancient Phoenician civilization that flourished around the eastern Mediterranean region between 1500-300 BC. It is derived from the Greek word "Phoinix" which referred to the Phoenician people and their language. The Phoenicians were a Semitic maritime trading culture known for their vast maritime trade networks and their development of the Phoenician alphabet, which became the basis for many modern alphabets including Greek and Latin scripts.

The name Phoenicia itself is first mentioned in texts and inscriptions from the 9th century BC, such as the Assyrian inscriptions of King Shalmanaser III. It appears to have been used as a geographical term referring to the coastal region of modern-day Lebanon, parts of Syria, and even some areas of ancient Israel and the Mediterranean islands. The name is closely linked to the ancient cities of Tyre, Sidon, and Byblos, which were major Phoenician centers of trade, culture, and maritime prowess.

One of the earliest known individuals with the name Phoenicia was Phoenicia of Byblus, a Phoenician princess who lived in the 8th century BC. She is mentioned in the inscriptions of the Assyrian king Sargon II, where she is described as the daughter of the king of Byblus. Another notable figure was Phoenicia of Carthage, a Carthaginian noblewoman from the 5th century BC, who is mentioned in Greek historical texts as a prominent figure in the Punic city-state.

In ancient Greek mythology, Phoenicia is also the name of a character who was the daughter of the Phoenician prince Agenor and the mother of Europa, who was abducted by Zeus in the form of a bull. This mythological figure's name is a direct reference to the Phoenician culture and its geographical origins.

During the Roman era, the name Phoenicia was also used by some individuals of Phoenician descent living within the Roman Empire. One such example is Phoenicia Rufina, a Roman woman of Phoenician ancestry who lived in the 2nd century AD and whose name is recorded on an inscription found in the city of Rome.

Another notable historical figure with the name Phoenicia was Phoenicia of Antioch, a 5th-century Christian martyr who was born in the city of Antioch (now in modern-day Turkey) and is venerated as a saint in some Christian traditions for her steadfast faith and martyrdom.

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 Phoenicia was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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