Phillis as a Baby Name. Meaning and Origin of Phillis

What is the meaning of the name Phillis ?

The baby name Phillis is a Female name , 2 syllables long and is pronounced /ˈfɪlɪs/ (FIL-iss).

Phillis is Greek in Origin.

Phillis is an English variant of the Greek name Phyllis (Greek Phyllís), derived from phyllon “leaf,” hence “foliage,” “leafy bough,” and by extension “new growth.” The name belongs to Greek myth: Phyllis, a Thracian princess deserted by Demophon, was transformed into an almond tree, a symbol of fidelity and renewal. The pastoral tradition adopted the name for an idealized shepherdess, appearing in Virgil and later Renaissance and Baroque poetry and song.

Used in Britain from the early modern period via classical revival, Phillis coexisted with the now-standard spelling Phyllis and the simpler Phylis. It enjoyed greatest Anglophone popularity in the early to mid-20th century, while the form Phillis now feels antique. Notable bearer: Phillis Wheatley (c.1753–1784), the pioneering African-American poet. Nicknames include Phyl/Phil and Philly/Phyllie. Related or literary cognates include Phyllida (English), French Philis/Phyllis, and Italian Fillide.