"lover of horses"
Origin: Greek
Language: English
Phillip
Pronunciation: [ f-IHL-ihp ]
Does Phillip flow with your last name?
A royal ancient name meaning lover of horses
English
Greek
French
German
Spanish
Classic
Traditional
Formal
Strong
Sophisticated
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Nicknames
Nicknames for Phillip
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Meaning & Origin
"horse friend"
Origin: Ancient Greek
Language: Greek
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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.
Historical Record
Phillip first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 239,996 babies have been named Phillip in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Phillip is past its peak , currently ranked #627 for boy names in the US .
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
Popularity Over Time
#627
Current Rank
Peaked 1950
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Phillip
P
Philip Glass
Musician
1937
Influential American composer and pioneer of minimalist music
P
Prince Philip
Royalty
1921
Duke of Edinburgh and husband of Queen Elizabeth II, serving as consort for 73 years until his death in 2021
P
Philip Marlowe Fictional
Other
Hard-boiled fictional private detective created by Raymond Chandler in The Big Sleep (1939)
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See all →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
Common Nicknames
Phil
Pip
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, Spanish heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
Middle Names
Middle Names for Phillip
5 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sounds Like Phillip
Phonetic neighbors that share Phillip's rhythm, vowel shape, or consonant cluster. Tap any name to see its full "names like" list.
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Also a Girl Name
Phillip is also used as a girl name, ranked #68393.
View Phillip as a girl name →Similar Names
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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.
What boy names are similar to Phillip?
Are there other spellings for Phillip?
Related spellings include Philip.
Browse all middle names, sibling names, or similar names.
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.
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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