All about the name

Phillip

Male

« Phillip is a Greek name meaning "lover of horses," derived from "philios" (loving) and "hippos" (horse). It has been popular throughout history, with notable bearers including Philip II of Macedon and Saint Philip, one of the twelve apostles of Jesus Christ. The name was introduced to England during the Norman Conquest in 1066 and has remained popular ever since. »

#622 last year

Meaning, origin, history

Phillip is a name of Greek origin, meaning "lover of horses". It is derived from the Greek word "philios", which means "loving", and "hippos", meaning "horse". The name Phillip has been popular throughout history, with notable bearers including Philip II of Macedon, the father of Alexander the Great, and Saint Philip, one of the twelve apostles of Jesus Christ. The name Phillip first appeared in England during the Norman Conquest in 1066, when William the Conqueror invaded from Normandy. The Normans brought with them many French names, including Phillip, which was derived from the Old French name Philippe. Over time, the name evolved into its current form in English-speaking countries. Phillip has been a popular name throughout history and continues to be so today. According to data from the Social Security Administration in the United States, Phillip ranked among the top 1000 most popular boys' names every year between 1900 and 2019. In fact, it peaked at number 178 in popularity during the years 1960-1969. Some famous people named Phillip include Phillip II of Spain, who ruled from 1556 to 1598; Sir Philip Sidney, an English poet and courtier during the Elizabethan era; and Phillip Schofield, a British television presenter known for hosting shows such as This Morning and Dancing on Ice.

In numbers

Popularity of the name Phillip since 1880

Total births
310,660
Total since 1880
Peak year
1960
6,042 births
in 2023
449
Recent births (5 years)
5-year trend
-14%
vs previous 5 years