Phylicia Girl
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: fih-LISH-uh //fɪˈlɪʃə//
Origin: Latin; English
Meaning: Latin: happy; English: variant of Felicia
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Phylicia is a modern variation of the name Felicia, which has its roots in Latin. The Latin word "felix" translates to "happy" or "fortunate," and from this, the feminine form "Felicia" emerged.
The transition from Latin to English occurred through the influence of Old French, where the name was adopted as "Felicie" before entering the English lexicon in the Middle Ages. This etymological journey highlights the name's connection to themes of happiness and good fortune, which have been culturally significant throughout history.
Historically, the name Felicia has been borne by various notable figures, including saints and literary characters. One of the earliest references can be traced back to the early Christian era, where Saint Felicity, a martyr from the 2nd century, became a symbol of faith and resilience.
Her story was popularized in various hagiographies, contributing to the name's enduring presence in Christian contexts. The name gained further prominence during the Renaissance, a period marked by a revival of classical learning and the arts, which often celebrated names derived from Latin.
Culturally, the name Phylicia, as a derivative of Felicia, carries with it the connotations of joy and prosperity. It has been embraced in various artistic expressions, including literature and music, where characters named Felicia or its variants often embody positive traits.
The name's phonetic appeal and its association with happiness have allowed it to resonate within different cultural narratives. While Phylicia itself is a more contemporary adaptation, it reflects the historical significance of its roots and the timeless qualities associated with the original Latin term.
Famous people named Phylicia
In this section, you will find notable people named Phylicia. 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 Phylicia who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Phylicia 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.
Phylicia Rashad is an actress and director best known for The Cosby Show, A Raisin in the Sun, and This Is Us.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Phylicia, 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 Phylicia. 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 Phylicia was first seen in the United States in 1968.
Phylicia has ranked as high as #865 nationally, which occurred in 1987, and has been most popular in New York, California, Texas, Illinois, and Pennsylvania.
In the past 5 years the name Phylicia has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Phylicia 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 Phylicia was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Phylicia (1998)
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. In some cases, you may see four or five states listed. However, we only display states where the name represents a significant percentage of births, so the number of states shown can range from one to several.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| NY | 8 |
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 Phylicia.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2014 | 6 |
| 2013 | 5 |
| 2012 | 11 |
| 2011 | 7 |
| 2010 | 6 |
| 2009 | 6 |
| 2007 | 15 |
| 2006 | 17 |
| 2005 | 15 |
| 2004 | 17 |
| 2003 | 12 |
| 2002 | 23 |
| 2001 | 27 |
| 2000 | 27 |
| 1999 | 25 |
| 1998 | 31 |
| 1997 | 35 |
| 1996 | 54 |
| 1995 | 58 |
| 1994 | 74 |
| 1993 | 88 |
| 1992 | 133 |
| 1991 | 207 |
| 1990 | 257 |
| 1989 | 266 |
| 1988 | 286 |
| 1987 | 289 |
| 1986 | 214 |
| 1985 | 122 |
| 1984 | 13 |
| 1983 | 7 |
| 1982 | 6 |
| 1978 | 5 |
| 1971 | 6 |
| 1969 | 6 |
| 1968 | 5 |