Phoenix Name Meaning

The name Phoenix is derived from the mythical bird of ancient mythology. The bird is often associated with strength, renewal, and the ability to overcome obstacles. It’s also seen as a symbol of hope and the promise of a bright future.

Origins of the Name Phoenix

The Phoenix was a bird with beautiful golden and red plumage that was said to live for hundreds of years. At the end of its life, the Phoenix would build a nest of twigs and set it on fire, burning itself to ashes. But from those ashes, a new Phoenix would rise, symbolizing rebirth and immortality. It’s no wonder that parents have been drawn to the name Phoenix for their little girls.

Popularity of the Name Phoenix

The name Phoenix has been on the rise in popularity in recent years. In the United States, it was the 823rd most popular name for baby girls in 2019 and 786th in 2020. While it’s still a relatively uncommon name, it’s certainly one that’s catching on with parents looking for something unique and meaningful.

Famous Phoenixs

The Phoenix isn’t just a mythical bird – it’s also a name that has been given to real-life people, both fictional and non-fictional. Some famous Phoenixes include:

  • Joaquin Phoenix, the Academy Award-winning actor known for his roles in films like “Joker,” “Gladiator,” and “Walk the Line.”
  • River Phoenix, the late actor and musician who rose to fame in the 1980s and 1990s.
  • Phoenix, the French alternative rock band that formed in the 1990s and is known for hits like “1901” and “Lisztomania.”

Final Thoughts on the Name Phoenix

The name Phoenix is a powerful and unique choice for a baby girl. With its roots in ancient mythology and its associations with strength, renewal, and hope, it’s a name that’s sure to inspire and uplift. And with its rising popularity, your little Phoenix will be in good company with other baby girls who share the name.

Infographic of Phoenix name meaning, which is Derived from the Greek phoinix, Phoenix means dark red.
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Phoenix Name Popularity

How popular is the name Phoenix? Here’s everything we know.

Year Rank # Births % Births
1910 — 0 0%
1911 — 0 0%
1912 — 0 0%
1913 — 0 0%
1914 — 0 0%
1915 — 0 0%
1916 — 0 0%
1917 — 0 0%
1918 — 0 0%
1919 — 0 0%
1920 — 0 0%
1921 — 0 0%
1922 — 0 0%
1923 — 0 0%
1924 — 0 0%
1925 — 0 0%
1926 — 0 0%
1927 — 0 0%
1928 — 0 0%
1929 — 0 0%
1930 — 0 0%
1931 — 0 0%
1932 — 0 0%
1933 — 0 0%
1934 — 0 0%
1935 — 0 0%
1936 — 0 0%
1937 — 0 0%
1938 — 0 0%
1939 — 0 0%
1940 — 0 0%
1941 — 0 0%
1942 — 0 0%
1943 — 0 0%
1944 — 0 0%
1945 — 0 0%
1946 — 0 0%
1947 — 0 0%
1948 — 0 0%
1949 — 0 0%
1950 — 0 0%
1951 — 0 0%
1952 — 0 0%
1953 — 0 0%
1954 — 0 0%
1955 — 0 0%
1956 — 0 0%
1957 — 0 0%
1958 — 0 0%
1959 — 0 0%
1960 — 0 0%
1961 — 0 0%
1962 — 0 0%
1963 — 0 0%
1964 — 0 0%
1965 — 0 0%
1966 — 0 0%
1967 — 0 0%
1968 — 0 0%
1969 — 0 0%
1970 — 0 0%
1971 — 0 0%
1972 — 0 0%
1973 — 0 0%
1974 — 0 0%
1975 — 0 0%
1976 — 0 0%
1977 — 0 0%
1978 — 0 0%
1979 2,511 7 0.0005%
1980 — 0 0%
1981 — 0 0%
1982 — 0 0%
1983 — 0 0%
1984 — 0 0%
1985 — 0 0%
1986 — 0 0%
1987 — 0 0%
1988 — 0 0%
1989 2,477 14 0.0009%
1990 2,843 11 0.0007%
1991 3,520 6 0.0004%
1992 3,433 6 0.0004%
1993 2,860 10 0.0006%
1994 2,263 20 0.0013%
1995 1,688 41 0.0027%
1996 1,701 42 0.0028%
1997 1,939 31 0.0021%
1998 1,601 53 0.0035%
1999 1,507 61 0.0041%
2000 1,486 70 0.0046%
2001 1,395 80 0.0053%
2002 1,234 106 0.0071%
2003 1,062 156 0.0103%
2004 896 221 0.0145%
2005 908 223 0.0146%
2006 794 294 0.0188%
2007 711 364 0.0231%
2008 696 376 0.0243%
2009 718 350 0.0234%
2010 682 366 0.0254%
2011 633 401 0.0281%
2012 558 471 0.0331%
2013 483 576 0.0405%
2014 476 606 0.0416%
2015 436 673 0.0463%
2016 429 691 0.0479%
2017 350 829 0.0594%
2018 341 864 0.0629%
2019 303 988 0.073%
2020 283 1,060 0.0833%
2021 296 951 0.0778%
2022 314 986 0.0747%
2023 353 840 0.0649%

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Maine (ME)

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Nevada (NV)

New York (NY)

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Vermont (VT)

Washington (WA)

Wisconsin (WI)

West Virginia (WV)

Data via SSA.gov.

Names Like Phoenix

If you like Phoenix, you’ll love these other names like Phoenix.

What names are variants of Phoenix?

Mix it up with these names that are a variation of the name Phoenix.

Name Meaning Origin Popularity Other Gender
Feenix

Dark red

Greek

Fenix

Dark red

Greek

Phenice

Dark red

Greek

Lists With Phoenix

Find inspiration in these baby girl name lists featuring the name Phoenix.

Siblings of Phoenix

Mamas with kids named Phoenix also have kids with these names.

Name Meaning Origin Popularity Other Gender
Skye

Isle of Skye

English

Connor

Dog lover

Irish

Damion

Tame, subdue

Greek

Isabella

Devoted to God

Italian

11 Comments

  1. We named our daughter Phoenix ! We didn’t intend on doing so but at the time my oldest daughter Zareyah over hears me and her father discussing names and he’s the 3rd so I didn’t want a 4th so I considered Phoenix Gary Lee Martin instead of Gary Lee Martin IV if it were to be a boy. Well when I brought the ultrasound picture home Zareyah started yelling, “THATS MY BABY PENIX!” at first I thought she was saying something else as I tried to explain she was getting a sister not a brother! And she didn’t care it was her baby Penix! She kissed my belly and said this my baby Penix, sooo, the name stayed, Phoenix, which worked out great so then we made it a bit more feminine by making it Phoenix Avanella, ( her father’s great grandmother’s name). Everybody always tells me and her how much they love her name and we’ve never been approached about whether it was a male or female name! Trust me her name suits her great and she looks exactly like her great great grandmother. The family swears she’s a spitting image of Avanella! So being Phoenix means the rebirth. . . She’s exactly that!

    Reply

  2. Hi my name is actually Phenix. I am a 20 year old female. Understanding its not spelled with the “O”. My name is spelled phonetically meaning its spelled as it sounds. I hated my name when I was little because everyone thought I was a boy and I got bullied for it but as I am an adult now I’ve learned to love my unique name. I constantly get compliments on it and everyone loves the jokes of “hey its spelled wrong or how is it in Arizona?”

    Reply

    • Do you pronounce your name fee-nix or feh-nix. We like that spelling but we’re being told when looking at people will jump to pronounce it feh-nix.

      Reply

  3. I’ve always loved the name for a girl. It sounds powerful.

    Reply

  4. As a survivor of multi-generational abuse, getting pregnant with my second child was a true miracle. My body struggled through multiple health complications but ultimately persevered and delivered the most amazing and strong soul. Phoenix, the one birthed from the ashes, triumphantly.
    I love the symbolism inherit in the name Phoenix, how adorable it is, while conveying an undertone of strength. It’s versatile for boy or girl.

    Reply

  5. I really liked city names for babies so I just started thinking of different places! I love how it’s different and gender neutral. Come to find out that Phoenix means “rises from the ashes.” My husband and I were told we probably wouldn’t be able to have a baby naturally or at all. Her name must have been given to use by God! ?

    Reply

  6. We chose the name Phoenix for the strength of the the name (rising from the ashes) and also because it’s very uncommon and unique. We had a hard time conceiving her, so she is our fighter princess, which is where we got the middle names “Arabella Rose” meaning beautiful warrior princess. While it is a unisex name, we have gotten the question “is it a boy or girl?” quite a bit over the phone.

    Reply

  7. I wanted a unique name

    Reply

  8. Phoenix was a suggested name after i had figured out the first name chose didn’t feel right. I had a few names suggested and Phoenix was the name that stood out to me, so i picked it

    Reply

  9. I named her Phoenix after the mythical creature, she was my miracle baby after being told by 5 doctor’s that is never have kids, I spent 4 years doing fertility treatments with no success, then got pregnant with her naturally

    Reply

  10. 1. I chose Phoenix at first because there was an X lin the name. I searched for girls name with x and Phoenix popped up! I fell in love with the name when I started to read the meaning. Phoenix is said to mean “the death and rising from ashes and becoming a more beautiful version you were before” after suffering a miscarriage, I liked to believe she was my other baby rising through the ashes. My husband also only chose that name out of the list of names I had have written out. I love the name for the meaning it has to me and my family and it matches her perfectly! People react weird towards it sometimes, so that’s the only reason I really don’t like it. I love the uniqueness and how strong the name is, especially for girl power!

    Reply

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