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At a Glance: Name: Phineas – Origin: disputed (Ancient Greek / Hebrew / Egyptian) – Gender: Boy – Pronunciation: FIN-ee-us
Phineas is pronounced FIN-ee-us (/ˈfɪnɪəs/), a name for a boy whose origin is genuinely disputed — sources point to Ancient Greek, Hebrew, and Egyptian roots without settling on one. You may come across a claim that it means 'oracle' or 'seer,' but that meaning isn't backed by a reliable source, so it's best treated as unconfirmed.
Meaning & Origin of Phineas
Origin: disputed (Ancient Greek / Hebrew / Egyptian).
A common claim: Phineas is often associated with the meaning 'oracle' or 'seer.' Actually: The 'oracle' or 'seer' idea likely comes from confusion with the Greek mythological figure Phineus. For the biblical Hebrew name Phinehas, the root is disputed and possibly Egyptian, with no reliable meaning established.
Source: Wiktionary.
How to Pronounce Phineas
Phonetic: FIN-ee-us IPA: /ˈfɪniəs/
Popularity of Phineas
SSA records for Phineas span 1880 to 2024. Its highest rank was #1030 in 1880, when 5 babies received the name; its most recent rank, in 2024, was #1538, with 114 babies given the name that year.
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration birth-name data, 1880–2024.
Make Phineas Name Art
Free printable nursery art for Phineas, pre-loaded below — pick a layout, palette, and font, then download a print-ready PNG.
Names With a Similar Story
Derived from shared style, era, and origin data (or, for names we have no style data for, a similar Social Security popularity trajectory) — not a hand-picked list.
FAQ
What does the name Phineas mean?
Phineas is often associated with the meaning ‘oracle’ or ‘seer.’ The ‘oracle’ or ‘seer’ idea likely comes from confusion with the Greek mythological figure Phineus. For the biblical Hebrew name Phinehas, the root is disputed and possibly Egyptian, with no reliable meaning established.
How do you pronounce Phineas?
Phineas is pronounced FIN-ee-us (IPA: /ˈfɪniəs/).
Is Phineas a popular name right now?
Phineas peaked at #1030 in 1880 and is ranked #1538 as of 2024. (U.S. Social Security Administration data, 1880–2024.)
📊 How popular is Phineas? See the full popularity history, trend data, and ranking since 1880 with our free Baby Name Popularity Checker.
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