Phillip

Pronunciation: [ f-IHL-ihp ]

Boy Name #627 Most Popular Steady 2 Syllables

A royal ancient name meaning lover of horses

English Greek French German Spanish

Classic Traditional Formal Strong Sophisticated

Meaning & Origin

"lover of horses"

Origin: Greek

Language: English

"horse friend"

Origin: Ancient Greek

Language: Greek

The Story of Phillip

Phillip derives from the ancient Greek name Philippos, composed of philos (loving, fond) and hippos (horse), meaning lover of horses. In ancient Greece, horses were symbols of wealth, power, and nobility. The name was borne by Philip II of Macedon, father of Alexander the Great, and became one of the most widespread names in European history through its use by royalty, saints, and apostles.

Phillip and Philip have been consistently used in English-speaking countries for centuries, peaking in mid-20th century America. The name has gradually declined since the 1970s but remains widely respected for its historical gravitas and royal associations.

Saint Philip the Apostle, one of the twelve disciples, ensured the name's permanence in Christian culture. King Philip II of Spain, who launched the Spanish Armada, and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh (1921-2021), kept it prominent in European royalty for centuries.

Fun Facts

Philip II of Macedon, father of Alexander the Great, bore this name, associating it with one of history's most powerful dynasties
The Philippines was named after King Philip II of Spain in 1565, making this one of the few names that gave its name to an entire nation

Phillip in Other Languages

Greek Filippos

French Philippe

German Philipp

Italian Filippo

Spanish Felipe

Portuguese Filipe

Famous People Named Phillip

Philip Glass

Musician

1937

Influential American composer and pioneer of minimalist music

Prince Philip

Royalty

1921

Duke of Edinburgh and husband of Queen Elizabeth II, serving as consort for 73 years until his death in 2021

Philip Marlowe Fictional

Other

Hard-boiled fictional private detective created by Raymond Chandler in The Big Sleep (1939)

Quick Facts

Gender: Boy
Syllables: 2
Popularity Rank: #627
Total SSA Count: 450
Cultural Origins: English Greek French German Spanish
Pronunciation: Easy
Formality: Formal
Cross-Cultural Ease: High

Alternative Spellings

Philip #522

Common Nicknames

Phil Pip

Pairs Well With

Phillip James Phillip John Phillip Thomas Phillip Michael Phillip Andrew

Sibling Names

William Elizabeth Catherine Andrew Margaret

Also a Girl Name

Phillip is also used as a girl name, ranked #68393.

View Phillip as a girl name →

Similar Names

Philip Felipe Filip

Playground Safety

Kid-Friendly

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Frequently Asked Questions About Phillip

What does the name Phillip mean?

"lover of horses" (from Greek). "horse friend" (from Ancient Greek). Phillip derives from the ancient Greek name Philippos, composed of philos (loving, fond) and hippos (horse), meaning lover of horses. In ancient Greece, horses were symbols of wealth, power, and nobility. The name was borne by Philip II of Macedon, father of Alexander the Great, and became one of the most widespread names in European history through its use by royalty, saints, and apostles.

What is the origin of the name Phillip?

Phillip has Greek, Ancient Greek, English, French, German, and Spanish origins. In Greek, it means "lover of horses". In Ancient Greek, it means "horse friend".

Is Phillip a boy or girl name?

Phillip is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #627. As a girl name, it is ranked #68393. Phillip is more commonly used as a boy name.

How do you pronounce Phillip?

Phillip is pronounced f-IHL-ihp.

How popular is the name Phillip?

Phillip is currently ranked #627 in popularity for boy names in the United States.

What are common nicknames for Phillip?

Common nicknames for Phillip include Phil and Pip.

What are good middle names for Phillip?

Popular middle name pairings include Phillip James, Phillip John, Phillip Thomas, Phillip Michael, and Phillip Andrew.

What are good sibling names for Phillip?

Names that pair well with Phillip as siblings include William, Elizabeth, Catherine, Andrew, and Margaret.

How many syllables does Phillip have?

Phillip has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.

Is Phillip a common or rare name?

Phillip is moderately common, ranked #627 for boys in the US. You will encounter it, but it stands out.

About the Name Phillip

Phillip is a boy name with English, Greek, French, German, and Spanish origins . The name means "lover of horses" in Greek .

Is Phillip a boy or girl name? Phillip is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #627 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #68,393. Phillip is more commonly used as a boy name.

Phillip is currently ranked #627 in popularity for boy names in the United States.

The name Phillip has 2 syllables and is pronounced f-IHL-ihp, making it easy to pronounce and remember.

Common nicknames for Phillip include Phil and Pip. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.

Alternative spellings of Phillip include Philip . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.