Meaning, origin, history
Philip is a name of Greek origin that means "lover of horses." It comes from the Greek word "philippos," which is composed of two elements: "philo-" meaning "loving" and "-hippos" meaning "horse." The name was popularized by Philip II of Macedonia, father of Alexander the Great. Throughout history, several notable figures have borne this name, such as Saint Philip the Apostle, one of Jesus Christ's twelve apostles in the Christian religion. Other famous Philips include Philip II of Spain and King Philip V of France. In English-speaking countries, Philip has been a popular given name for boys since the 19th century. It is often associated with the royal family of Britain, as Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, is the husband of Queen Elizabeth II. Today, Philip remains a classic choice for parents looking for a strong and timeless name for their sons.
In numbers
Popularity of the name Philips since 1880
Total births
21
Total since 1880
Peak year
1938
6 births
in 2018
5
Recent births (5 years)
5-year trend
0%
→
vs previous 5 years