Philip
Philip: name meaning, origin and popularity
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈfɪlɪp/ · /ˈfɪləp/
Meaning and origin of Philip
- A male given name from Ancient Greek.
Etymology
From Middle English Philip, ultimately from Ancient Greek Φίλιππος (Phílippos), name of ancient kings of Macedonia, from φίλιππος (phílippos, “fond of horses”), from φιλέω (philéō, “to love”) + ἵππος (híppos, “horse”).
How popular is Philip?
Since 1880, 1,137 girls and 344,036 boys in the U.S. have been named Philip (0% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #1548 in 1896. Its highest rank for boys was #52 in 1941. In 2025 it ranked #528 for boys, with 568 babies given the name.
Names similar to Philip
Names that start with the same letters, most popular first.
More Greek boy names
Sibling name ideas for Philip
Sister and brother names that share Philip's Greek roots and are still in the U.S. top 1,000.
Philip FAQ
What does the name Philip mean?
A male given name from Ancient Greek. From Middle English Philip, ultimately from Ancient Greek Φίλιππος (Phílippos), name of ancient kings of Macedonia, from φίλιππος (phílippos, “fond of horses”), from φιλέω (philéō, “to love”) + ἵππος (híppos, “horse”).
What is the origin of the name Philip?
Philip is listed as a name of Greek origin.
How popular is the name Philip?
Since 1880, 1,137 girls and 344,036 boys in the U.S. have been named Philip (0% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #1548 in 1896. Its highest rank for boys was #52 in 1941. In 2025 it ranked #528 for boys, with 568 babies given the name.
Is Philip a boy or girl name?
Philip is mostly a boy name in the U.S.: 1,137 girls and 344,036 boys since 1880.
Popularity data: U.S. Social Security Administration baby name data, 1880–2025 (names given to 5+ babies per year). Origin and etymology text: Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.