Phyllis - Name Meaning and Origin

The girl's name Phyllis \ph(yl)-lis\ is pronounced FILL-iss. It is of Greek origin, and its meaning is "greenery". Greek mythology: a character of this name dies for love, then is transformed into an almond tree. The name is used by poets to stand for the idealized country lass. Poet Phyllis McGinley; commedienne Phyllis Diller.

Phyllis has 13 variant forms: Filis, Fillis, Fillys, Fyllis, Philis, Phillis, Philys, Phylis, Phyliss, Phyllida, Phyllie, Phylliss and Phyllys.

For more information, see also related names Clematis and Phylicia.

Baby names that sound like Phyllis are Phyllicia and Wallis.

Phyllis is a very popular female first name and a very rare surname (source: 1990 U.S. Census). Displayed below is the baby name popularity trend for the girl's name Phyllis. Click here to compare Phyllis with related baby names.