Sophia Girl
soh-FEE-uh
“wisdom” · Greek
#5
Phebe
GirlGreek· “variant of Phoebe; bright, radiant”
- Meaning
- variant of Phoebe; bright, radiant
- Origin
- Greek
- Pronunciation
- FEE-bee
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #5,669
- US babies 2025
- 22
- Best rank
- #357 (1882)
- Peak year
- 2011
Meaning and origin of Phebe
Phebe is a Greek name that means “variant of Phoebe; bright, radiant”.
Phebe is a variant of Phoebe, from the Greek phoibe, bright or radiant. In Greek mythology Phoebe is a Titan, grandmother of Apollo and Artemis. In the New Testament Phebe is a woman commended by Paul in the Letter to the Romans, and the King James Bible uses this spelling. Shakespeare also used Phebe for a shepherdess in As You Like It. It is said FEE-bee, just like Phoebe. The spelling without the o is older and more literary, and it was common in colonial New England.
Other spellings with the same sound: Phoebe.
Popularity over time
Phebe has been given to babies in the United States since at least 1880, the first year of Social Security records. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 22 different years. Its best national rank was #357 in 1882, and the most babies received it in 2011, when 45 were named Phebe. In 2025, 22 babies were named Phebe, and it ranked #5,669 nationally. Its use has been fairly steady over the past decade.
Its national rank moved from #1,620 in 1920, #3,017 in 1950, #4,680 in 1980, #5,271 in 2000, #4,279 in 2010, and #5,669 in 2025. Of the 2,958 US girls named Phebe since records began, 12% were born in the 2010s, its biggest decade. The 2000s come next, with 324 babies.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Bela, December, Lucienne, Lynnea, and Maylene.
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Phebe is usually pronounced FEE-bee, with two syllables. It has five letters, starts with P and ends in “-be”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Phoebe.
Middle names for Phebe
A few middle names that flow with Phebe: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Phebe
Similar names
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Lists that include Phebe
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Phebe mean?
Phebe is a Greek name that means “variant of Phoebe; bright, radiant”.
What is the origin of the name Phebe?
Phebe has Greek roots. Phebe is a variant of Phoebe, from the Greek phoibe, bright or radiant.
Is Phebe a popular name?
Not especially. Phebe ranked #5,669 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Phebe a boy or girl name?
Phebe is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Phebe?
Phebe is usually pronounced FEE-bee. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings