Phoxinus is a genus of freshwater fish in the family Cyprinidae of order Cypriniformes. The type species is Phoxinus phoxinus. The other species in this genus are also commonly known as minnows. The name "Minnow" was what early English fisherman used to describe "Small and insignificant". The genus Phoxinus is found throughout Eurasia, and includes 21 known species. Previously, members of the North American genus Chrosomus were also believed to form part of this genus.