Philip
/ˈfɪl.ɪp/
Philip comes from the Greek Philippos, combining philos (“friend,” “lover”) and hippos (“horse”), meaning “lover of horses.” Horse ownership was a mark of aristocratic status in ancient Greece.
Philip II of Macedon, father of Alexander the Great, made the name famous across the ancient world. One of the 12 apostles bore the name, cementing its place in Christian tradition across Europe.
Philip peaked at No. 52 in 1941 with 4,166 births. In 2024 it sits at No. 521 with 586 births, a classic name in slow but steady decline.
What the name Philip means
Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh (1921-2021), husband of Queen Elizabeth II, kept the name in constant royal association for seven decades. His death in 2021 prompted renewed interest in the name.
Two syllables—FIL-ip—are clean and carry natural authority. The name has been used by kings, saints, apostles, and presidents across 2,500 years of Western history.
The competing spelling Phillip with a double-l is almost equally common in American records. Neither is considered “correct”—they are parallel variants of equal standing.
Short form Phil retains some popularity, but the full Philip is increasingly chosen by parents who want a complete formal name rather than a pre-shortened form.
US popularity over time
Numerology and symbolism
Based on Pythagorean numerology — a traditional system linking name letters to numbers. Presented for cultural interest.
Famous people named Philip
Philip - similar names
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