Phylecia
A feminine name of uncertain origin, possibly derived from Greek meaning "lover of the vine."
Name Census estimates that about 21 living Americans carry the first name Phylecia. The name is used almost exclusively for girls. The average person named Phylecia today is around 39 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Phylecia births was 1987 (9 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Phylecia. 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
- • Fewer than 100 living Americans are believed to carry the name Phylecia. It is among the rarest names in the SSA records.
People living today
21
~ 1 in 16,321,635 Americans
Peak year
1987
9 babies that year
Average age
39
years old
1988 SSA rank
#13,293
Tracked since 1986
Popularity
Phylecia: popularity over time
Babies born per year
Decades
Phylecia 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 Phylecia during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
| Decade | Male | Female | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 0 | 22 | 22 |
Origin
Meaning and history of Phylecia
The name Phylecia is a feminine given name of Greek origin, derived from the word "phylax," meaning "guardian" or "protector." It first appeared in ancient Greek literature and texts, often associated with mythological characters or deities who were believed to be guardians or protectors of certain realms or entities.
In ancient Greek mythology, Phylecia was the name of one of the Oceanids, the three thousand daughters of the Titans Oceanus and Tethys. The Oceanids were believed to be the nymphs of the ocean and were often depicted as guardians of the seas and rivers.
The earliest recorded use of the name Phylecia dates back to the 5th century BC, when it was mentioned in the works of Greek historian Herodotus. However, it was not a widely popular name during that time and remained relatively obscure throughout the ancient Greek and Roman periods.
One of the earliest notable figures to bear the name Phylecia was Phylecia of Samos, a renowned Greek poet and philosopher who lived in the 6th century BC. She was known for her philosophical works and was considered one of the first female philosophers in ancient Greece.
In the Middle Ages, the name Phylecia was occasionally used in some regions of Europe, particularly in areas with strong Greek cultural influences. One notable figure from this period was Phylecia of Byzantium, a Byzantine scholar and author who lived in the 11th century AD. She wrote several works on theology and philosophy, and was respected for her intellectual contributions.
During the Renaissance period, the name Phylecia saw a slight resurgence in popularity, particularly among those with an interest in classical Greek culture and literature. One notable individual from this time was Phylecia Gallo, an Italian poet and writer who lived in the 16th century. Her works were widely acclaimed for their lyrical beauty and philosophical depth.
Another notable figure who bore the name Phylecia was Phylecia Browne, an English actress and playwright who lived in the 17th century. She was known for her role in the development of the English theatre and was considered a pioneering figure in the world of drama and performance.
Despite its rich historical background and occasional use throughout various periods, the name Phylecia has remained relatively uncommon in modern times. It is still primarily associated with its Greek origins and the concept of guardianship or protection.
People
Phylecia + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Phylecia 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
Phylecia: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Phylecia?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 21 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Phylecia 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 16,321,635 US residents.
Is Phylecia a common name?
We classify Phylecia as "Very Rare". It ranks above 40.8% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 22 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Phylecia most popular?
The single biggest year for Phylecia was 1987, when 9 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Phylecia is about 39 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
What does the SSA popularity chart show?
The chart tracks births, not the number of people alive with the name today. Each point shows how many babies were given the name Phylecia in that year. That makes it useful for spotting when the name rose, peaked, or faded.
Is Phylecia a female name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Phylecia 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.
Is Phylecia still being used today?
Yes. The SSA still recorded Phylecia in 2024, and the page above shows its latest-year rank where available. A name can be well past its peak and still remain in steady use, especially if it built up a large population over earlier decades.
Why can a name have a lot of living bearers even if it is not trendy now?
Because living-bearer counts and current baby-name popularity measure different things. A name like Phylecia can build up a very large population over many decades, even if fewer parents are choosing it now than they did at its peak.
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.
Does every first name have Census demographic data?
No. The public Census first-name release only covers names that met the Bureau's publication rules, so many rarer names in the SSA files do not have a published Census demographic snapshot. In those cases, the page still shows the SSA trend, gender history, and state data.
How many people are called Phylecia?
See how many Americans are named Phylecia on HowManyOfMe.org, our sister site built around that single question.