Sophia Girl
soh-FEE-uh
“wisdom” · Greek
#5
Pheobe
GirlGreek· “variant of Phoebe, 'bright, radiant'”
- Meaning
- variant of Phoebe, 'bright, radiant'
- Origin
- Greek
- Pronunciation
- FEE-bee
- Syllables
- 1
- US rank 2025
- #7,063
- US babies 2025
- 16
- Best rank
- #903 (1885)
- Peak year
- 2009
Meaning and origin of Pheobe
Pheobe is a Greek name that is usually said to mean “variant of Phoebe, 'bright, radiant'”.
Pheobe is a variant spelling of Phoebe, from the Greek phoibos, bright or radiant. In Greek mythology, Phoebe was a Titaness associated with the moon, and Phoebus was a title of Apollo. In the New Testament, Paul commends Phoebe, a deacon of the church at Cenchreae. Pheobe switches the order of the o and e, a common spelling that reflects how the name is said, FEE-bee. The spelling is uncommon and is sometimes seen as a misspelling. Phoebe is the standard form. In daily use it can be cut to Bee.
Popularity over time
Pheobe first appears in US Social Security records in 1882. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 2 different years, starting in 1885. Its best national rank was #903 in 1885, and the most babies received it in 2009, when 49 were named Pheobe. In 2025, 16 babies were named Pheobe, and it ranked #7,063 nationally. That is 27% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #2,245 in 1920, #5,150 in 1950, #6,725 in 2000, #5,212 in 2010, and #7,063 in 2025. Of the 1,136 US girls named Pheobe since records began, 21% were born in the 2000s, its biggest decade. The 2010s come next, with 218 babies. Since 2010, 306 more have been named Pheobe.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Andreya, Leonna, Gwendalyn, Leighanna, and Sherly.
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Pheobe is usually pronounced FEE-bee, with one syllable. It has six letters, starts with P and ends in “-be”.
Middle names for Pheobe
A few middle names that flow with Pheobe: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Pheobe
Similar names
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Lists that include Pheobe
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Pheobe mean?
Pheobe is a Greek name that is usually said to mean “variant of Phoebe, 'bright, radiant'”.
What is the origin of the name Pheobe?
Pheobe has Greek roots. Pheobe is a variant spelling of Phoebe, from the Greek phoibos, bright or radiant.
Is Pheobe a popular name?
Not especially. Pheobe ranked #7,063 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Pheobe a boy or girl name?
Pheobe is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Pheobe?
Pheobe 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