Phyllis Kirby

Name meaning, origin and global statistics

Phyllis Kirby — green branch
339K People worldwide
United States Most common in
1970s Peak popularity
Gender
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Phyllis Kirby is a name that combines Greek origins. The first name Phyllis is a feminine given name of Greek origin. Phyllis or Phillis is a feminine given name of Greek origin meaning foliage. Phyllis is a minor figure in Greek mythology who killed herself in despair when Demophon of Athens did not return to her and who was transformed into an almond tree by the gods. Phillida, Phyllicia, and Phyllida are all variants of the name. The name has been in modern use since the 17th century when, often spelled Phillis, it was used by English poets John Wilmot, 2nd Earl of Rochester, and Matthew Prior, probably taken from the supposed mistress of Aristotle, or other classical examples. The surname Kirby: Kirby is a surname of Norse or Irish origin. The English surname of Norse origin is from the Old Norse "kirkja" + "býr", meaning "church" + "settlement". (Names ending in 'by' are typically Nordic, as seen in such Swedish place names as Visby, Hellingsby, etc.) The Irish surname is an anglicisation of Ó Ciarmhaic, which also takes the form Kerwick, The Kirby family in the play You Can't Take It with You Colonel Mike Kirby in the 1968 film The Green Berets, played by John Wayne Paul, Amanda and Eric Kirby, a family in the 2001 film Jurassic Park III The title character of Rip Kirby, an American. Phyllis is a well-known first name, carried by approximately 339K people globally, with the highest concentration in United States. The name Phyllis reached peak popularity in the 1970s, reflecting the naming trends of that era.

Etymology & Origin

First Name: Phyllis

Meaning: green branch

Greek

Phyllis or Phillis is a feminine given name of Greek origin meaning foliage. Phyllis is a minor figure in Greek mythology who killed herself in despair when Demophon of Athens did not return to her and who was transformed into an almond tree by the gods. Phillida, Phyllicia, and Phyllida are all variants of the name. The name has been in modern use since the 17th century when, often spelled Phillis, it was used by English poets John Wilmot, 2nd Earl of Rochester, and Matthew Prior, probably taken from the supposed mistress of Aristotle, or other classical examples.

Surname: Kirby

Norse

Kirby is a surname of Norse or Irish origin. The English surname of Norse origin is from the Old Norse "kirkja" + "býr", meaning "church" + "settlement". (Names ending in 'by' are typically Nordic, as seen in such Swedish place names as Visby, Hellingsby, etc.) The Irish surname is an anglicisation of Ó Ciarmhaic, which also takes the form Kerwick, The Kirby family in the play You Can't Take It with You Colonel Mike Kirby in the 1968 film The Green Berets, played by John Wayne Paul, Amanda and Eric Kirby, a family in the 2001 film Jurassic Park III The title character of Rip Kirby, an American.

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Geographic Distribution

The first name Phyllis is distributed across the globe, with the highest concentrations in the following countries:

United States 51%
United Kingdom 27%
Australia 12%
Canada 10%

Popularity Over Time

Popularity of the name Phyllis by decade, based on birth registration data:

1900s
1910s
1920s
1930s
1940s
1950s
1960s
1970s
1980s
1990s
2000s
2010s
2020s
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Notable People Named Phyllis Kirby

People listed above share this name. Listed for informational purposes only. Source: Wikipedia.

Numerology

According to Pythagorean numerology, each letter in a name carries a numerical value. Here are the key numbers for Phyllis Kirby:

4
Expression Number

Stability and hard work. Represents practicality, reliability and dedication — someone who builds solid foundations.

9
Soul Urge Number

Compassion and humanitarianism. A generous, idealistic nature with a sincere desire to improve the world.

4
Personality Number

Stability and hard work. Represents practicality, reliability and dedication — someone who builds solid foundations.

Numerology is a cultural tradition for exploring symbolism in names. Results are for entertainment purposes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the origin of the first name Phyllis?
The first name Phyllis originates from Greek. Phyllis or Phillis is a feminine given name of Greek origin meaning foliage. Phyllis is a minor figure in Greek mythology who killed herself in despair when Demophon of Athens did not return to her and who was transformed into an almond tree by the gods. Phillida, Phyllicia, and Phyllida are all variants of the name. The name has been in modern use since the 17th century when, often spelled Phillis, it was used by English poets John Wilmot, 2nd Earl of Rochester, and Matthew Prior, probably taken from the supposed mistress of Aristotle, or other classical examples.
When was Phyllis most popular?
The name Phyllis reached its peak popularity during the 1970s.
What is the origin of the surname Kirby?
The surname Kirby originates from Norse. Kirby is a surname of Norse or Irish origin. The English surname of Norse origin is from the Old Norse "kirkja" + "býr", meaning "church" + "settlement". (Names ending in 'by' are typically Nordic, as seen in such Swedish place names as Visby, Hellingsby, etc.) The Irish surname is an anglicisation of Ó Ciarmhaic, which also takes the form Kerwick, The Kirby family in the play You Can't Take It with You Colonel Mike Kirby in the 1968 film The Green Berets, played by John Wayne Paul, Amanda and Eric Kirby, a family in the 2001 film Jurassic Park III The title character of Rip Kirby, an American.
What are the origins of the name Phyllis Kirby?
The name Phyllis Kirby combines two different traditions: the first name Phyllis has Greek roots, while the surname Kirby originates from Norse.
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