Phineas Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
Phineas is a name of Hebrew origin meaning 'oracle' or 'serpent of bronze.' It evolved through Hebrew, Greek, and Latin forms. The name is linked to a notable biblical figure known for his zealousness. It gained popularity in English-speaking cultures during the Protestant Reformation, and it is often viewed as a unique and creative name today. The name has historical significance and is associated with notable individuals.
The name Phineas is most popular in Utah, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Boy name among the Generation Alpha generation in the West region. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, Phineas has been stalled for male in MidWest, too falling for male in Northeast, stalled for male in South, stalled for male in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for male in South, stalled for male in West. Across generations, 'Phineas' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 3826th out of 7545 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 4615th out of 6773 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 4427th out of 7552 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 6193rd out of 10718 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 7061st out of 16616 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 1974th out of 24088 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 1496th out of 23106 names. Discover how the name 'Phineas' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Phineas"
Pronunciation
/ˈfɪniəs/
Origin
Hebrew
Etymology
The name Phineas is derived from the Hebrew name 'Pinchas,' which is believed to mean 'oracle' or 'serpent of bronze.'
Meaning
oracle, serpent of bronze
Language Evolution
Pinchas (Hebrew), Phineas (Greek transliteration), Phineas (Latin adaptation)
Biblical Background
Phineas is a significant biblical figure mentioned in the Book of Numbers as the grandson of Aaron, known for his zeal for God.
Historical Usage
The name gained popularity in the English-speaking world after the Protestant Reformation, as biblical names became more widely adopted.
Variants & Derivatives
Phinehas, Finn, Phin
Modern Popularity & Image
Phineas is seen as a unique name, often associated with creativity and intelligence, and has a modern appeal due to its biblical roots.
Famous People
Phineas Taylor Barnum, an American showman and businessman, Phineas Gage, a famous case in psychology
Explore More Phineas Name Visualizations
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Phineas"
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History of "Phineas"
"Phineas" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 3826th of 7545 | 71 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 4615th of 6773 | 34 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 4427th of 7552 | 51 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 6193rd of 10718 | 39 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 7061st of 16616 | 76 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 1974th of 24088 | 1,014 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 1496th of 23106 | 1,395 |
Regional Popularity of "Phineas" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
42.21% 1934th/4582 |
27.48% 1419th/5164 |
39.59% 2895th/7313 |
26.21% 1956th/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
33.76% 1345th/3984 |
33.30% 1494th/4487 |
29.98% 2045th/6822 |
21.81% 1369th/6276 |
Regional Popularity of "Phineas" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
State-by-State Popularity of "Phineas"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Phineas" across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.