Unisex nameCurrently #275 in the USSteady
Phoenix
FEE-niks//ˈfiːnɪks//
2 syllablesPeak year: 20207 lettersStarts with P
Meaning & origin
Deep red, or the mythical rebirth bird
Phoenix comes from the Greek word for a deep crimson-purple color, later famously attached to the mythical bird said to rise reborn from its own ashes. Its powerful symbolism of renewal has made it an increasingly popular unisex modern choice.
Phoenix's popularity over time
| Year | Births named Phoenix |
|---|---|
| 1968 | 5 |
| 1970 | 5 |
| 1975 | 14 |
| 1976 | 17 |
| 1977 | 18 |
| 1978 | 27 |
| 1979 | 33 |
| 1980 | 18 |
| 1981 | 10 |
| 1982 | 13 |
| 1983 | 15 |
| 1984 | 11 |
| 1985 | 10 |
| 1986 | 9 |
| 1987 | 9 |
| 1988 | 30 |
| 1989 | 55 |
| 1990 | 66 |
| 1991 | 58 |
| 1992 | 69 |
| 1993 | 94 |
| 1994 | 202 |
| 1995 | 231 |
| 1996 | 214 |
| 1997 | 256 |
| 1998 | 269 |
| 1999 | 277 |
| 2000 | 317 |
| 2001 | 457 |
| 2002 | 471 |
| 2003 | 635 |
| 2004 | 698 |
| 2005 | 814 |
| 2006 | 1,011 |
| 2007 | 1,105 |
| 2008 | 1,169 |
| 2009 | 1,229 |
| 2010 | 1,202 |
| 2011 | 1,174 |
| 2012 | 1,308 |
| 2013 | 1,410 |
| 2014 | 1,551 |
| 2015 | 1,862 |
| 2016 | 1,967 |
| 2017 | 2,210 |
| 2018 | 2,363 |
| 2019 | 2,449 |
| 2020 | 2,648 |
| 2021 | 2,476 |
| 2022 | 2,354 |
| 2023 | 2,124 |
| 2024 | 1,961 |
Phoenix through the decades
- Phoenix peaked in 2020, when 2,648 babies were named Phoenix in the US.
- Over the last 10 years of data (2015–2024), use of Phoenix has risen 87% compared to the 10 years before that.
- Phoenix currently ranks #275 in the US and is holding steady.
Nicknames
Nix
Variants & spellings
Phenix