Find out how popular the first name Phylis has been for the last 12 years (from 1974 to 1985) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Phylis by gender

Based on the last 12 years of data, Phylis is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 1985, there were 5 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Phylis.

The history of the first name Phylis

The name Phylis finds its origins in the ancient Greek language. Derived from the Greek word "phyllon," meaning "leaf," it was initially used as a feminine form of the masculine name Phyllos. This connection to nature and greenery is reflected in the name's earliest known use.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Phylis can be found in Greek mythology. Phylis was a young woman from the island of Thrace who fell in love with Demophon, a son of the legendary Greek hero Theseus. Their tragic love story is recounted in Ovid's "Metamorphoses," a seminal work of classical literature from the 1st century AD.

During the Byzantine era, the name Phylis gained popularity among Greek-speaking communities in the Eastern Mediterranean. Historical records from this period mention several notable individuals bearing this name, including Phylis of Alexandria, a 5th-century philosopher and mathematician renowned for her contributions to the study of geometry.

As the name spread throughout Europe, it underwent various spelling variations, such as Phyllis, Phillis, and Fillis. One of the earliest recorded uses of the name in Western literature can be found in the pastoral poetry of the 16th-century English poet Edmund Spenser, who immortalized the name in his epic work "The Faerie Queene."

Throughout the centuries, several notable figures have borne the name Phylis or its variations. Phylis Wheatley (1753-1784) was an influential African-American poet and pioneer of the Black literary tradition in colonial America. Phylis McGinley (1905-1978), an American writer and poet, won the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry in 1961 for her work "Times Three: Selected Verse from Three Decades."

In the realm of classical music, Phylis Curtin (1917-2016) was an acclaimed American soprano who performed leading roles in operas by composers such as Richard Strauss and Benjamin Britten. Phylis Shand Allfrey (1908-1986), a West Indian writer and politician, played a significant role in the literary and political landscapes of Dominica and the Caribbean region.

The name Phylis has also been associated with notable figures in the arts and entertainment industry. Phylis Salindri (1924-2008), an American actress and dancer, appeared in numerous Hollywood films and television shows throughout her career, while Phylis Gershator (1923-2013) was a respected children's book author and illustrator.

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

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

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