Sophia Girl
soh-FEE-uh
“wisdom” · Greek
#5
Phoebe
GirlGreek· “bright, radiant”
- Meaning
- bright, radiant
- Origin
- Greek
- Pronunciation
- FEE-bee
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #157
- US babies 2025
- 1,885
- Best rank
- #157 (2025)
- Peak year
- 2025
Meaning and origin of Phoebe
Phoebe is a Greek name that means “bright, radiant”.
Phoebe comes from the Greek Phoibe, meaning bright or radiant. In Greek mythology Phoebe was a Titaness, grandmother of Apollo and Artemis, and the name later served as a poetic title for Artemis as goddess of the moon, just as Phoebus was used for Apollo. It appears in the New Testament too, where Paul commends a woman named Phoebe in his letter to the Romans. English Protestants adopted it after the Reformation, and it has an appealing mix of classical depth and cheerful sound. A moon of Saturn also bears the name. Phoebe feels bright, friendly and quietly vintage.
Other spellings with the same sound: Phebe.
Popularity over time
Phoebe 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 121 different years. It is at its all-time high right now: 2025 brought both its best national rank, #157, and its highest count, 1,885 babies. Use has grown 68% in ten years.
Its national rank moved from #457 in 1920, #893 in 1950, #1,455 in 1980, #440 in 2000, #308 in 2010, and #157 in 2025. Of the 43,658 US girls named Phoebe since records began, 24% were born in the 2010s, its biggest decade. The 2020s come next, with 8,928 babies.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Blakely, Alani, Ailani, Blair, and Oaklynn.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Phoebe ranked highest in Vermont, District of Columbia, and Alaska.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Vermont | #27 | 12 |
| District of Columbia | #42 | 14 |
| Alaska | #48 | 11 |
| Maine | #54 | 16 |
| Oregon | #70 | 42 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Phoebe is usually pronounced FEE-bee, with two syllables. It has six letters, starts with P and ends in “-be”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Phebe.
Middle names for Phoebe
A few middle names that flow with Phoebe: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Phoebe
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Lists that include Phoebe
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Phoebe mean?
Phoebe is a Greek name that means “bright, radiant”.
What is the origin of the name Phoebe?
Phoebe has Greek roots. Phoebe comes from the Greek Phoibe, meaning bright or radiant.
Is Phoebe a popular name?
Yes. Phoebe ranked #157 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Phoebe a boy or girl name?
Phoebe is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Phoebe?
Phoebe 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