Phoenix
Say it: FEE-nix/ˈfiːnɪks/
Boy and boyMythologyMeans the phoenix, the mythical bird reborn from its ashes7 letters2 syllables
#577
in Ireland (2025)
#552 with spellings combined
5
babies in 2025
#226
best rank (2021)
141
babies since 2006
Down 130
10-year rank change
Phoenix through the years
Compare with another name →boysgirls
Show the numbers
| Year | Babies (boys) | Rank | Babies (girls) | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 5 | #552 | - | - |
| 2024 | 8 | #413 | 3 | #869 |
| 2023 | 10 | #351 | 4 | #708 |
| 2022 | 12 | #338 | 3 | #881 |
| 2021 | 21 | #226 | 4 | #740 |
| 2020 | 14 | #299 | 3 | #806 |
| 2019 | 6 | #485 | - | - |
| 2018 | 12 | #324 | 8 | #469 |
| 2017 | 8 | #418 | - | - |
| 2016 | 5 | #541 | 3 | #866 |
| 2015 | 8 | #422 | 4 | #755 |
| 2014 | - | - | 3 | #869 |
| 2013 | 6 | #479 | - | - |
| 2012 | 7 | #457 | - | - |
| 2011 | 4 | #623 | 3 | #932 |
| 2009 | 9 | #386 | - | - |
| 2008 | 3 | #698 | - | - |
| 2006 | 3 | #595 | - | - |
| 2005 | - | - | 4 | #588 |
| 2004 | - | - | 3 | #677 |
| 2003 | - | - | 3 | #655 |
Source: CSO, Irish Babies' Names (VSA50, VSA60), CC BY 4.0.
★ What does Phoenix mean?
The phoenix, the mythical bird reborn from its ashes
Latin phoenix, from Greek phoinix, the name of the mythical firebird.
Say it right
FEEnix
Not:FOY-nix
The story of Phoenix
Phoenix comes from the Latin phoenix, borrowed from the Greek name of the mythical bird. In old stories from Egypt and Greece the phoenix lives for centuries, then burns and is born again from its own ashes, so the name has long stood for renewal and new beginnings.
Greek myth also has two men called Phoenix. The best known is the old teacher of Achilles in the Iliad. As a modern first name, though, Phoenix comes straight from the bird, and it is given to both boys and girls.
In Ireland Phoenix first appears for boys in 2006. Its best year so far was 2021, when 21 boys got the name and it reached number 226. Girls have used it too, in smaller numbers, with a high of 8 girls in 2018.
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Sources
- Wiktionary: Phoenix (English proper noun)
- Wikipedia: Phoenix (given name)
- CSO VSA50, Boys Names in Ireland with 3 or More Occurrences
- CSO VSA60, Girls Names in Ireland with 3 or More Occurrences
At a glance
Similar names
Sibling ideas
Spellings counted here
| Spelling | 2025 | All years |
|---|---|---|
| Phoenix | 5 | 141 |
In Northern Ireland
#344 in 2025 with 4 babies. Best rank #253 (2016); 53 babies since 2010.
Source: NISRA, Open Government Licence.
Phoenix is also given to girls: 48 since 2003.