"lover of horses, friend to horses"
Origin: Greek
Language: Greek
Philippa
Pronunciation: [ f-ihl-IHP-uh ]
Does Philippa flow with your last name?
Royal grace with ancient Greek equestrian roots
English
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Classic
Elegant
Royal
Sophisticated
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Nicknames
Nicknames for Philippa
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Meaning & Origin
"fond of horses (philos + hippos)"
Origin: Ancient Greek
Language: Latin
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The Story of Philippa
Philippa is the feminine form of Philip, derived from the ancient Greek Philippos — combining philos (friend, lover) and hippos (horse). Horses were the supreme symbol of power and nobility in ancient Greece, so naming a child lover of horses was the highest compliment. The name spread throughout the Hellenistic world with Alexander the Great (whose father was Philip II of Macedon), and entered Western European naming through the Church and aristocracy during the medieval period.
Philippa has long been favored by the British aristocracy and royal families. It gained modern visibility through Pippa Middleton (born Philippa Charlotte), sister of Catherine, Princess of Wales, whose prominent role at the 2011 royal wedding brought the name into global conversation.
Philippa carries centuries of royal and noble heritage. Philippa of Hainault, Queen of England (1314-1369), was beloved by her subjects and is credited with mercy during the Hundred Years War. The name represents sophisticated English heritage and classical learning.
Historical Record
Philippa first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 1,513 babies have been named Philippa in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Philippa is a hidden gem — rare but distinctive , currently ranked #2,636 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Philip II of Macedon, father of Alexander the Great, bore the masculine form — lover of horses
- Pippa Middleton (born Philippa Charlotte) became a global style icon after the 2011 royal wedding
Philippa in Other Languages
Greek
Φιλίππα
French
Philippine
German
Philippa
Italian
Filippa
Spanish
Felipa
Portuguese
Filipa
Popularity Over Time
#2,636
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Hidden Gem
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Philippa
P
Pippa Middleton
Other
1983
British socialite and author (born Philippa Charlotte Middleton), sister of Catherine, Princess of Wales
P
Philippa Gregory
Writer
1954
British author of historical fiction including The Other Boleyn Girl and the Cousins War series
P
Philippa of Hainault
Royalty
1314
Queen of England as wife of Edward III, known for her mercy and patronage of scholars and poets including Froissart
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Compare Philippa with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 3
- Popularity Rank
- #2,636
- Total SSA Count
- 66
- Cultural Origins
- English German Italian Greek Dutch
- Pronunciation
- Moderate
- Formality
- Formal
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Pippa
Phil
Pip
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, balanced 3-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, balanced 3-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, balanced 3-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Philippa
6 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Same Origin Names (English)
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Frequently Asked Questions About Philippa
What does the name Philippa mean?
"lover of horses, friend to horses" (from Greek). "fond of horses (philos + hippos)" (from Ancient Greek). Philippa is the feminine form of Philip, derived from the ancient Greek Philippos — combining philos (friend, lover) and hippos (horse). Horses were the supreme symbol of power and nobility in ancient Greece, so naming a child lover of horses was the highest compliment. The name spread throughout the Hellenistic world with Alexander the Great (whose father was Philip II of Macedon), and entered Western European naming through the Church and aristocracy during the medieval period.
What is the origin of the name Philippa?
Philippa has Greek, Ancient Greek, English, German, Italian, and Dutch origins. In Greek, it means "lover of horses, friend to horses". In Ancient Greek, it means "fond of horses (philos + hippos)".
Is Philippa a boy or girl name?
Philippa is primarily used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Philippa?
Philippa is pronounced f-ihl-IHP-uh.
How popular is the name Philippa?
Philippa is currently ranked #2636 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Philippa?
Common nicknames for Philippa include Pippa, Phil, and Pip.
What are good middle names for Philippa?
Popular middle name pairings include Philippa Rose, Philippa Anne, Philippa Jane, Philippa Catherine, Philippa Margaret, and Philippa Louise.
What are good sibling names for Philippa?
Names that pair well with Philippa as siblings include Georgiana, Edmund, Cecily, Hugo, Arabella, and Rupert.
How many syllables does Philippa have?
Philippa has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.
Is Philippa a common or rare name?
Philippa is an uncommon name, ranked #2636 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What girl names are similar to Philippa?
Are there other spellings for Philippa?
Related spellings include Philomena.
About the Name Philippa
Philippa is a girl name with English, German, Italian, Greek, and Dutch origins . The name means "lover of horses, friend to horses" in Greek .
Philippa is currently ranked #2,636 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Philippa has 3 syllables and is pronounced f-ihl-IHP-uh, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Philippa include Pippa, Phil, and Pip. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Philippa include Philomena . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis