Phyllis is a unique and elegant feminine given name of Greek origin. It comes from the Greek word "phyllo," which means "leaf." The name was originally associated with the Greek mythological figure Phyllis, who was transformed into an almond tree by the gods. According to the myth, Phyllis fell in love with Demophon, a king of Athens, and when he had to leave her, she pined away until she became the almond tree. When Demophon returned years later, he embraced the tree and Phyllis' spirit was released from it.
The name Phyllis began to be used as a given name during the 19th century, particularly in English-speaking countries such as England and America. It gained popularity in the early 20th century and remained quite popular until the mid-century. Today, while not as common as it once was, Phyllis is still considered an attractive and distinctive name choice for a girl.
Some notable individuals named Phyllis include American actress Phyllis Calvert, British novelist Phyllis Bottome, and American poet Phyllis Wheatley. Overall, Phyllis is a beautiful and meaningful name with a rich history that continues to be appreciated by many today.
The name Phyllis experienced significant popularity fluctuations over the time span provided. Starting from a low of just 6 births in 1880, it peaked at an impressive 3326 births in 1918. However, from the mid-1950s onwards, there's a consistent decline in the number of newborn girls named Phyllis, reaching a low of 7 births in 2023. This trend mirrors the general decrease in popularity of many once-traditional names in recent decades.