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Gender: Male Meaning of Phineas: "the Nubian" Origin of Phineas: English, Egyptian

Phineas Origin and Meaning

The name Phineas is a boy's name of Hebrew origin meaning "the Nubian".

Phineas is the English variation of Phinehas, a Hebrew name likely derived from the Egyptian name Pa-nehasi. Pa-nehasi, meaning “the Nubian” can also be translated as “the bronze-colored one.” The Egyptians distinguished themselves from their Nubian neighbors through differences in skin tone.

Julia Roberts drew the biblical Phineas into the limelight when she chose it, with the even-more-antique spelling Phinnaeus, for her twin son, now called Finn. Phineas had last been heard from via circus impresario Phineas T. Barnum, until it was brought somewhat up to date via the Disney Channel animated show Phineas and Ferb.

Anthony Trollope combined name and nickname for the young, handsome and charming Irish lawyer hero of his eponymous novel, Phineas Finn. Phineas is also the name of three biblical personages and was popular among the seventeenth century Puritans. Jazz pianist Phineas Newborn, Jr. is a contemporary namesake.

Trivia note: In early movies, characters named Phineas had nicknames like Prune, Whipsnake and Whoopee.

Bottom line: A quirky path to nickname Finn.

16 names similar to Phineas

These 16 names were selected by our users that were looking for other names like Phineas. If you didn't find an alternative name that you like better than Phineas, try our name generator. It allows you to go beyond the similarities of a name, which can provide a lot of inspiration!

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Lists containing Phineas

Phineas in Blog Posts

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Famous People Named Phineas

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Phineas Taylor "P. T." Barnum, American circus showman
Phineas F. Bresee, founder of the Church of the Nazarene
Phineas Parkhurst Quimby, American philosopher and healer
Phineas Gage, American railroad foreman who survived a freak accident
Phineas Lyman Tracy, U.S. Congressman from New York
Phineas Newborn Jr., American jazz pianist
Phineas Jones, U.S. Congressman from New Jersey
Phineas Warren Hitchcock, U.S. Senator from Nebraska
Phineas Bruce, U.S. Congressman from Massachusetts
Phineas Howe Young, American Mormon leader; son of Brigham Young
Phineas Chapman Lounsbury, American politician; 53rd Governor of Connecticut
Phineas Francis, son of singer Wil Francis of horror punk band Aiden

Pop Culture References for the name Phineas

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Phineas "Finny", a character in "A Separate Peace" by John Knowles
Phineas Nigellus Black, a minor character in the "Harry Potter" series
Phineas Fletcher, friend to Simeon Halliday in "Uncle Tom's Cabin" (1851)
Phineas Fletcher, narrator of "John Halifax, Gentleman" (1856)
Phineas Flynn, character on animated series "Phineas and Ferb"
Phineas Filch, character in video game Ace Attorney'
Phineas Darkon, character n the "Genius" series, by Catherine Jinks
Phineas T. Bluster, a puppet character on the television show Howdy Doody
Phineas Bogg, a character in Voyagers!
Phineas Finn, character in the series by Anthony Trollope
Phineas T. Freakears, character in Fabulous Furry Freak Brothers
Phineas Horton, character in Marvel Comics

Nicknames & Variations for Phineas

Pinchos, Pinchas, Fineas, Pinhas, Pinkus, Phinnaeus, Phinehas, Phinneas, Pincus, Phinny, Pincas

Comments

The Silver Brid Says:

2018-10-27T21:44:47

I love this name, I think it sounds very sophisticated yet can be shortened to the fun Phin/Fin. It's different enough not to be a bore like 'John' or 'James,' yet still not as odd as many other names people are picking now-a-days.

letmein Says:

2017-12-11T23:35:54

No way! It sounds way too much like penis.

headintheclouds Says:

2017-06-02T01:54:12

Phineas is one of those clunky old-fashioned biblical names that I feel is starting to become part of the almost-resurging category of vintage names. The popular cartoon Phineas and Ferb has helped in bringing this name to the mainstream as well. Phineas doesn't really have universal appeal, but I personally really enjoy it. There's has a heavy weight to it, but when said out loud, IMO it has an airier feel, especially with the short and sweet nickname Finn.

LostKid Says:

2016-05-14T00:33:24

Not a fan.

EW314 Says:

2016-02-05T11:18:02

I really like this, but it feels like a bit too much to actually use, especially with the spelling Julia Roberts chose: Phinnaeus (who sits very oddly IMO alonside twin sister Hazel and brother Henry). I actually think the cute nickname Phin/Fin might help to make it feel wearable.

Lena_Aline Says:

2015-12-24T17:44:06

Not a fan because of the myth behind it.

Audrey328 Says:

2015-07-25T14:00:00

I really like this name. Do you think other people would have a hard time spelling it?

Honoria Says:

2014-10-16T19:33:32

Love this name, but the risk of it being shortened to plain old trendy "Finn" is a deal-breaker, methinks.

clairels Says:

2014-08-22T22:06:29

Still very old-mannish, IMHO.

Guest Says:

2014-06-27T18:55:42

LOVE this name.