Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Phillip
BoyGreek· “lover of horses”
- Meaning
- lover of horses
- Origin
- Greek
- Pronunciation
- FIH-luhp
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #651
- US babies 2025
- 425
- Best rank
- #64 (1950)
- Peak year
- 1960
Meaning and origin of Phillip
Phillip is a Greek name that means “lover of horses”.
Phillip is a double-L spelling of Philip, from the Greek Philippos, built from philos, loving, and hippos, horse. It was a prestigious name in ancient Greece, borne by Philip II of Macedon, father of Alexander the Great. In the New Testament Philip is one of the twelve apostles, which spread the name through the Christian world, and kings of France and Spain carried it for centuries. This spelling is especially common in the United States. Phillip feels dependable and traditional, with Phil and Pip as friendly nicknames.
Other spellings with the same sound: Filip, Philipp.
Popularity over time
Phillip 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 146 different years. Its best national rank was #64 in 1950, and the most babies received it in 1960, when 6,047 were named Phillip. In 2025, 425 babies were named Phillip, and it ranked #651 nationally. That is 44% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #164 in 1920, #64 in 1950, #65 in 1980, #198 in 2000, #355 in 2010, and #651 in 2025. Of the 311,561 US boys named Phillip since records began, 17% were born in the 1950s, its biggest decade. The 1960s come next, with 50,396 babies. Since 2010, 10,585 more have been named Phillip.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Jim, Greg, Jay, Tim, and Darryl.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Phillip ranked highest in South Dakota, Kentucky, and Alabama.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| South Dakota | #293 | 5 |
| Kentucky | #368 | 14 |
| Alabama | #393 | 14 |
| Louisiana | #442 | 11 |
| Virginia | #448 | 18 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for boys.
Phillip is usually pronounced FIH-luhp, with two syllables. It has seven letters, starts with P and ends in “-ip”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Filip and Philipp.
Middle names for Phillip
A few middle names that flow with Phillip: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Phillip
Similar names
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“lover of horses” · Greek
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Nicolas Boy
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“victory of the people” · Greek
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Lists that include Phillip
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Phillip mean?
Phillip is a Greek name that means “lover of horses”.
What is the origin of the name Phillip?
Phillip has Greek roots. Phillip is a double-L spelling of Philip, from the Greek Philippos, built from philos, loving, and hippos, horse.
Is Phillip a popular name?
Yes. Phillip ranked #651 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Phillip a boy or girl name?
Phillip is mainly a boy's name. In the US it is used almost only for boys.
How do you pronounce Phillip?
Phillip is usually pronounced FIH-luhp. 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