All about the name

Phil

Female

« Phil is of Greek origin, meaning 'lover of horses.' »

#30115 since 1900

Meaning, origin, history

Philip is a name of Greek origin, meaning "lover of horses." It is derived from the Greek word "philios," which means "loving," and "hippos," which means "horse." The name Philip has been popular throughout history, with several notable figures bearing this name. The most famous bearer of the name Philip was Philip II of Macedonia, who was the father of Alexander the Great. Philip II was a skilled military leader and ruler who expanded his kingdom significantly during his reign from 359 to 336 BCE. Another prominent figure with the name Philip was Saint Philip the Apostle, one of the twelve apostles of Jesus Christ according to the New Testament. Saint Philip is believed to have been martyred around the year 80 CE. The name Philip has also been popular among European royalty and nobility throughout history. For example, King Philip IV of Spain ruled from 1621 to 1665, while Philip V was king of France from 1715 to 1723. Today, the name Philip continues to be a popular choice for boys' names around the world. It is often shortened to Phil or Philippe, depending on the language and culture. Despite its long history, the name Philip remains timeless and classic, with a strong and meaningful origin story rooted in ancient Greek culture.

In numbers

Popularity of the name Phil since 1880

Total births
72
Total since 1880
Peak year
1923
7 births
in 1960
5
Recent births (5 years)
5-year trend
0%
vs previous 5 years