Phoenix is the Greek name of the mythical bird that burns and rises again from its ashes, a symbol of "rebirth" and immortality; the Greek phoinix also meant "crimson" and Phoenician. The Arizona capital and actor Joaquin Phoenix keep the name in American ears. Phoenix stood at number 878 in 2000, climbed to a peak of 236 in 2020 and ranks 329th among boys' names in 2025.