How to say it
PHOE · nix
ˈfiː.nɪks
Unisex
Phoenix
The firebird; deep red
What it means
From the Greek phoinix, the mythical bird that burns and rises reborn from its own ashes; also 'dark red.'
Phoenix comes from the Greek phoinix, the immortal bird that bursts into flame and rises again from the ashes, a universal symbol of renewal. The same word meant 'deep red' or 'purple.' It works as a bold unisex name and shares its sound with the Arizona city and the acting family River and Joaquin Phoenix. It reads dramatic, modern, and full of comeback energy. Nix is a short.
How to spell Phoenix
The standard spelling is Phoenix. Common variants include Phenix, Fenix, Phoenyx, but Phoenix is the most widely used form.
Popularity over time
Feminine: peaked at #285 in 2020, currently #534 in 2025.
Masculine: peaked at #236 in 2020, currently #329 in 2025.
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration, names given to at least 5 babies in a year, 1880–2025. Reviewed July 2026. See where the names are moving
Heads-up notes
- Worth knowing
Unisex; carries the firebird's meaning of rebirth and renewal.
Who's worn it
Historical figures, characters, and public faces who share the name. The cultural surface, for whatever weight you want to give it.
- Phoenix the mythical bird reborn from its own ashes
- Joaquin Phoenix American actor
Spelling variants
- Phenix
- Fenix
- Phoenyx
Names with the same feeling
See Phoenix from another angle
By style
Common questions
- What does the name Phoenix mean?
- From the Greek phoinix, the mythical bird that burns and rises reborn from its own ashes; also 'dark red.'
- What does Phoenix mean in Greek?
- In Greek, Phoenix means "The firebird; deep red." Phoenix comes from the Greek phoinix, the immortal bird that bursts into flame and rises again from the ashes, a universal symbol of renewal. The same word meant 'deep red' or 'purple.' It works as a bold unisex name and shares its sound with the Arizona city and the acting family River and Joaquin Phoenix. It reads dramatic, modern, and full of comeback energy. Nix is a short.
- How do you pronounce Phoenix?
- Phoenix is pronounced ˈfiː.nɪks. Say it as PHOE-nix, with the stress on the "phoe" syllable.
- How do you spell Phoenix?
- The standard spelling is Phoenix. Common spelling variants include Phenix, Fenix, Phoenyx.
- Is Phoenix a boy or girl name?
- Phoenix is used for both boys and girls.
- How popular is the name Phoenix?
- Phoenix ranked #534 in the U.S. in 2025, according to Social Security Administration data.