Phyllis Mai

Name meaning, origin and global statistics

Phyllis Mai — green branch
339K People worldwide
United States Most common in
1970s Peak popularity
Gender
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Phyllis Mai 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 Mai: Mài is a Chinese surname. It is commonly transliterated as Mak in Hong Kong, based on the Cantonese pronunciation, though other transliterations exist. "麥" is the standard character in both Traditional and Simplified scripts but 麦 is also a variant seen in both. The meaning of the Chinese character is either wheat or barley. According to a 2013 study, 麥 was the 200th most common surname, shared by 550,000 people or 0.041% of China's population, with Guangdong being the province with the most. 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: Mai

Vietnamese

Mài is a Chinese surname. It is commonly transliterated as Mak in Hong Kong, based on the Cantonese pronunciation, though other transliterations exist. "麥" is the standard character in both Traditional and Simplified scripts but 麦 is also a variant seen in both. The meaning of the Chinese character is either wheat or barley. According to a 2013 study, 麥 was the 200th most common surname, shared by 550,000 people or 0.041% of China's population, with Guangdong being the province with the most.

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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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Numerology

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

7
Expression Number

Wisdom and introspection. A deep, analytical mind drawn to philosophy, spirituality and the search for truth.

1
Soul Urge Number

Leadership and independence. This number suggests a self-reliant, ambitious and pioneering personality that forges its own path.

6
Personality Number

Nurturing and responsibility. Associated with care, family values and a strong sense of duty towards loved ones.

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 Mai?
The surname Mai originates from Vietnamese. Mài is a Chinese surname. It is commonly transliterated as Mak in Hong Kong, based on the Cantonese pronunciation, though other transliterations exist. "麥" is the standard character in both Traditional and Simplified scripts but 麦 is also a variant seen in both. The meaning of the Chinese character is either wheat or barley. According to a 2013 study, 麥 was the 200th most common surname, shared by 550,000 people or 0.041% of China's population, with Guangdong being the province with the most.
What are the origins of the name Phyllis Mai?
The name Phyllis Mai combines two different traditions: the first name Phyllis has Greek roots, while the surname Mai originates from Vietnamese.
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