The first name Phineas
A boy’s name from Greek.
3 syllables Male
Meaning and origin
Greek origin
From Ancient Greek Φινέας (Phinéas), alternative form of Φινεύς (Phineús). See Phineus. Alternative source from Hebrew (פִינְחָס). See Phinehas.
From Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Popularity
Babies registered in England and Wales, 1996–2025
In 2025, 8 boys were named Phineas, making it the 2,664th most popular boys’ name. It peaked in 2012, with 15 births (#1,589).
Office for National Statistics; years with fewer than three births are not published and show as zero. Compare Phineas with other names.
Popularity in the United States
Babies named Phineas at birth, 1880–2025
In 2025, 105 boys born in the United States were named Phineas, the 1,616th most popular boys’ name that year. It was used most in 2016, when 142 were.
US Social Security Administration, from applications for a Social Security card. A name is only published for a year when at least five babies were given it, so quieter years show as zero.
Phineas in other languages
Equivalent forms of the name, from Wiktionary
Nicknames and spellings
Nicknames for Phineas
- Phinny
Other spellings and forms
- Finneas
Famous people named Phineas
6 on Wikidata, most written-about first
- Phineas Gage19th century American railway worker who survived a large brain trauma, 1823–1860
- Phineas FletcherBritish writer, 1582–1650
- Phineas QuimbyAmerican writer (1802–1866)
- Phineas Newborn Jr.American jazz pianist (1931–1989)
- Phineas HitchcockAmerican politician (1831–1881)
- P. T. BarnumAmerican showman and politician (1810–1891)
More Greek boys’ names
Questions
- What does the name Phineas mean?
- From Ancient Greek Φινέας (Phinéas), alternative form of Φινεύς (Phineús). See Phineus. Alternative source from Hebrew (פִינְחָס). See Phinehas.
- What is the origin of the name Phineas?
- From Ancient Greek Φινέας (Phinéas), alternative form of Φινεύς (Phineús). See Phineus. Alternative source from Hebrew (פִינְחָס). See Phinehas.
- How popular is the name Phineas?
- In 2025, 8 boys born in England and Wales were named Phineas, ranking 2,664th. Its peak was 2012, with 15 births.
- What are nicknames for Phineas?
- Common nicknames for Phineas include Phinny.
- Is Phineas a boy's or a girl's name?
- Mostly a boy's name: 100% of the 2,803 US babies named Phineas since 1880 were boys.
- When was Phineas most popular?
- 2016 in the United States, when 142 babies were named Phineas, its highest rank at 1,284th.
- What are other spellings of Phineas?
- Finneas.