Phyllis is a feminine given name of Greek origin, meaning "thicket" or "jungle." It was popular during the mid-20th century and has been used by notable individuals such as Phyllis Diller, an American comedienne and actress, and Phyllis May Smith, an American dancer and choreographer. The name can also be spelled with a 'y' instead of an 'i,' offering some flexibility in pronunciation and spelling.
The name Phyllis experienced notable popularity during the mid-twentieth century, with the highest birth years being 1956 and 1957 at eight births each. The total number of babies named Phyllis over this period was seventy.