Phineas Boy
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: FIN-ee-us //ˈfɪniəs//
Origin: Hebrew; Greek
Meaning: Hebrew: 'oracle'; Greek: 'the one who is prophetic'
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Phineas has its roots in ancient Hebrew, derived from the name פִּנְחָס (Pinchas), which is believed to mean "oracle" or "serpent". The name appears in the Hebrew Bible, specifically in the Book of Numbers, where Phineas is noted as a zealous priest and grandson of Aaron, the brother of Moses.
The name was subsequently transliterated into Greek as Φινεές (Phineas) and later adopted into Latin as Phineas, which facilitated its entry into English through the influence of the Latin Vulgate and other biblical translations. Phineas is mentioned in significant biblical narratives, particularly for his role in stopping a plague among the Israelites by taking decisive action against immorality, which earned him a covenant of peace from God.
This event is dated to the late 13th century BCE, making Phineas a figure of considerable historical and religious importance. His legacy continued through various translations of the Bible, including the King James Version in the early 17th century, which helped to solidify the name's presence in Christian contexts.
Culturally, the name Phineas has been associated with zeal, righteousness, and a strong moral compass, reflecting the character of its biblical namesake. Over the centuries, it has been used in various literary and artistic works, often symbolizing a fierce commitment to one's beliefs or principles.
The diminutive form "Finn" is sometimes derived from Phineas, although its usage varies. Overall, the name carries a weight of historical significance and moral resonance that has allowed it to endure through the ages.
Famous people named Phineas
In this section, you will find notable people named Phineas. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Phineas who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Phineas who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.
Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.
Phineas Taylor Barnum is a showman and businessman best known for founding the Barnum & Bailey Circus, promoting the Feejee Mermaid, and popularizing the circus in America.
Fictional characters named Phineas
The following list of fictional characters named Phineas is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.
You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.
Phineas Flynn is a fictional character from the animated television series Phineas and Ferb. He is one of the two main protagonists who embarks on imaginative adventures during his summer vacation.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Phineas, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
Similar names
Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Phineas. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Phineas was first seen in the United States in 1880.
Phineas has ranked as high as #2813 nationally, which occurred in 2016, and has been most popular in California, New York, Texas, Ohio, and Massachusetts.
In the past 5 years the name Phineas has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Phineas is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Phineas was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Phineas.
| Year | Total Births | Boy |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 105 | 105 |
| 2024 | 114 | 114 |
| 2023 | 99 | 99 |
| 2022 | 108 | 108 |
| 2021 | 131 | 131 |
| 2020 | 121 | 121 |
| 2019 | 118 | 118 |
| 2018 | 136 | 136 |
| 2017 | 129 | 129 |
| 2016 | 142 | 142 |
| 2015 | 95 | 95 |
| 2014 | 106 | 106 |
| 2013 | 98 | 98 |
| 2012 | 105 | 105 |
| 2011 | 120 | 120 |
| 2010 | 141 | 141 |
| 2009 | 130 | 130 |
| 2008 | 117 | 117 |
| 2007 | 88 | 88 |
| 2006 | 67 | 67 |
| 2005 | 43 | 43 |
| 2004 | 40 | 40 |
| 2003 | 39 | 39 |
| 2002 | 28 | 28 |
| 2001 | 28 | 28 |
| 2000 | 27 | 27 |
| 1999 | 14 | 14 |
| 1998 | 17 | 17 |
| 1997 | 11 | 11 |
| 1996 | 8 | 8 |
| 1995 | 7 | 7 |
| 1994 | 6 | 6 |
| 1992 | 8 | 8 |
| 1991 | 5 | 5 |
| 1989 | 8 | 8 |
| 1988 | 5 | 5 |
| 1985 | 8 | 8 |
| 1983 | 11 | 11 |
| 1982 | 5 | 5 |
| 1981 | 5 | 5 |
| 1980 | 5 | 5 |
| 1976 | 8 | 8 |
| 1974 | 7 | 7 |
| 1972 | 6 | 6 |
| 1971 | 5 | 5 |
| 1967 | 8 | 8 |
| 1963 | 7 | 7 |
| 1962 | 6 | 6 |
| 1961 | 5 | 5 |
| 1958 | 7 | 7 |
| 1955 | 5 | 5 |
| 1953 | 6 | 6 |
| 1950 | 5 | 5 |
| 1949 | 5 | 5 |
| 1947 | 5 | 5 |
| 1940 | 5 | 5 |
| 1938 | 5 | 5 |
| 1934 | 5 | 5 |
| 1933 | 6 | 6 |
| 1932 | 5 | 5 |
| 1930 | 8 | 8 |
| 1926 | 8 | 8 |
| 1925 | 5 | 5 |
| 1923 | 7 | 7 |
| 1922 | 7 | 7 |
| 1920 | 6 | 6 |
| 1919 | 5 | 5 |
| 1918 | 9 | 9 |
| 1917 | 10 | 10 |
| 1916 | 9 | 9 |
| 1915 | 5 | 5 |
| 1897 | 5 | 5 |
| 1891 | 5 | 5 |
| 1880 | 5 | 5 |
Top States for Phineas (2024)
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| TX | 12 | |
| WA | 7 | |
| GA | 6 | |
| ID | 5 | |
| IN | 5 | |
| NY | 5 | |
| UT | 5 |