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 August 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
- 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.