While it may feel out of another era, it is so in a very charming way. I like it because it's the name of my maternal grandmother, and one of the main characters in one of my all time favorite plays/operas.
Based on 2023 statistics, the most common age for an American woman named Phyllis is 71 years old. It is the 283rd most common first name in the U.S. (1 in 1373 people). Only 11 girls born in 2023 were named Phyllis in the U.S. [source: Wolfram Alpha]
I think this name is sweet and gentle sounding, and when I got past that it's more common with older people, I could see it on a child. It could really suit someone of any age, and I find it quite pleasant.
Phyllis O'Donnell is an Australian former surfer who became the first Women's World Surfing Champion. O'Donnell won the championship in 1964 at the age of 27. At the time, surfing was dominated by men, and her championship was regarded as a step forward for women's recognition in the sport. O'Donnell also won the women's division of the Australian National Titles in 1963, 1964, and 1965.
I really like this name. I love its natural meaning, and even though it's not very common in modern times, I still appreciate it. Why choose a name that everyone else is shouting out on the streets?
― Anonymous User 5/2/2023
4
Sounds a little bit like phallus to me unfortunately. It is pretty though, I just can’t help but think of that.
― Anonymous User 3/26/2023
-2
Phyllis Dare (born Phyllis Constance Haddie Dones; 15 August 1890 – 27 April 1975) was an English singer and actress, famous for her performances in Edwardian musical comedy and other musical theatre in the first half of the 20th century.
A Phyllis I know is Phyllis McGuire, she was the youngest sister of the McGuire sisters, who were popular during the 1950's and were my daughter Connie's favorite band! I think the McGuire sisters broke up because Phyllis had an affair with American mobster Sam Giancana. From my knowledge, Phyllis is the only living McGuire sister after her eldest sister, Christine, died on December 28, 2018, her middle sister, Dorothy, died on September 7, 2012. Thanks for reading :)
― Anonymous User 9/8/2020
5
This name is very harsh and abrasive sounding to me. It definitely seems like a "mean girl" name, who then grows up to become an evil, querulous woman. Hell no for a person- however, it might be a good name for a pudgy, funny-looking dog like a pug.
― Anonymous User 7/10/2020
-13
This name is so, so beautiful. I love the sound of it and it doesn't make me think of "syphilis" at all. It is a very refined, classic name. Plus it's the name of a favorite relative. So I adore the name. And Phyllis Schlafly? What about Phyllis from the Mary Tyler Moore show? (Aka Maw-maw from Raising Hope).
― Anonymous User 6/9/2020
11
Ugly.
― Anonymous User 6/5/2020
-7
I thought this was masculine for some reason. Oh well, it's not very attractive to me.
Okay, Phyllis is my name and while I don't think it's the prettiest name in the world, it's mine. So hate it all you want. But, what else would I be called? Shall I change it? There's a lot of names out there that I don't like and equate them to VD. Thanks.
I'm sorry but Phyllis is one of the ugliest names I've ever heard, on par with Gudrun. I can't think of any association to this name but syphilis. And the fact that this was Phyllis Schlafly's name. Just hideous.
My name is Phyllis and I agree it is not a pretty name, but at work I am like Cher- no one needs use my last name. I am Phyllis or Miss Phyllis. It is kind of neat, makes you feel special.
This type of name sounds like it belongs to your eccentric, rich aunt. I wouldn't ever name my daughter this, but I have no problem with it. It's a fine name.
I really like the name Phyllis (and Ms. Diller, lol! That laugh of hers! Magic.) I have to say, it's the most unusual and uncommon name in my family, belonging to an aunt. I sometimes wonder what prompted my dad's parents to select it.
Too old fashioned for me, I can't imagine anyone liking this name, not to mention the way it is spelled, which is in my opinion, repulsive. For a man, I can see it as Fileppe (fill-EE-pay).
I think the name Phyllis is absolutely beautiful, classy and so very unique. It sounds so soft and gentle. :) I only found about the name today! :O.
― Anonymous User 2/7/2015
8
I went from hating this name to adoring it after learning its meaning and association with Greek mythology. Weird how learning about a name can totally change your opinion about it.
This name is hideous. It sounds like the name of a 50s housewife with a bouffant who believes that women should remain in the kitchen and depend on their husbands. Phyllis Schlafly makes it even worse.
I think Phyllis or Phyliss is a fine name. It's not that bad. Although many people think it sounds like syphillis or something like that, it's fine. But it doesn't mean that I like it. This name reminds me of the old lady who pee in pispot and forgot how to spell her name. And if it used by a girl, it would be a sloppy girl that has many freckles in her face. Sorry, but that's my opinion.
― Anonymous User 11/19/2011
-1
It's cute and unusual name and my auntie named this. It's a good name.
― Anonymous User 11/19/2011
6
Phyllis is the name of a country girl, or rustic maiden, in Virgil's third and fifth Eclogues. Phyllis is also a character in the poem Colin Clouts Come Home Again, a pastoral poem by the poet Edmund Spenser. Spenser's poem has been called: "The greatest pastoral eclogue in the English language." Spenser presented the poem as a gift to Sir Walter Raleigh. Phyllis was the name of a shepherdess who appeared in Gilbert's Iolanthe. "Fair Phyllis I saw, Fair Phyllis I saw sitting all alone" is also an English madrigal by John Farmer, which was published in 1599. In Farmer's song, the singer describes a person who saw a young shepherdess sitting alone feeding her sheep near a mountain. The other shepherds did not know where she was at the time. Her lover, Amyntas, goes looking for her and wanders through the hills playing hide and seek. Eventually he finds her, and when he does, they kiss.One version of the lyrics is as follows:Fair Phyllis I saw sitting all alone Feeding her flock near to the mountain side. The shepherds knew not, They knew not whither she was gone, But after her lover Amyntas hurried. Up and down he wandered Whilst she was missing; When he found her, O then they fell a-kissing.Amyntas is a Greek name which means "defender." Philis schoone Herderin ('Phyllis, beautiful shepherdess') is the title of a musical score by composer Jacob Van Eyck. Van Eyck was a Dutch nobleman and musician who lived between 1590 and 1657. Jacob van Eyck's most famous composition was the Der Fluyten Lust-hof (The Flute's Garden of Delights, or The Flute's Pleasure Garden). Editions of this work appeared in 1644, 1646, 1649, 1654, and 1656. Der Fluyten Lust-hof is a very extensive collection of solo pieces for the soprano recorder. The pieces are varied and include folk songs, dance tunes, church works, Psalms, and songs of the day. They are considered challenging even for an experienced recorder player.In the United States, the long-running newspaper comic strip, Gasoline Alley, debuted in 1918. The primary character of the newspaper strip was Walt Wallet. On February 14, 1921, Walt found a baby which had been left on his doorstep. The baby was named Skeezix. In the meantime, Walt made the acquaintance of a helpful neighbor, named Phyllis Blossom. In 1926, Walt married his neighbor, Phyllis Blossom and other children soon joined Skeezix in the Wallet family. Gasoline Alley was one of the few newspaper comic strips which showed the main characters aging in real time. For example, Skeezix grew up and served in the military during World War II. Phyllis Blossom Wallet cashed in her chips on April 26, 2004. Following her death, Walt and Skeezix discovered that Phyllis was the biological sister of Skeezix's biological mother. Skeezix's mother had asked her sister, Phyllis Blossom, to keep watch over her little boy, whom she had left on the doorstep of Phyllis's bachelor neighbor, Walt Wallet. So it had never been "by chance" that Phyllis Blossom had become acquainted with her bachelor neighbor, Walt Wallet!
This name is too old fashioned for people to remember its meaning. I like the meaning because I love nature, but prior to learning this meaning I didn't like this name. It's too harsh sounding. Also, it sounds kinda like fill up.
I like this name. It is very unusual and pretty in its own way.
― Anonymous User 4/3/2007
5
A famous bearer was Phillis Wheatley, an African American poet who is credited with starting both the African American and Women's literary movements in the US.
Phyllis Diller almost single handedly destroyed the popularity of the name. With her fright wigs she gave the name a negative connotation even though she was a talented comedian.