Philip Name Meaning

Helen Doanna

By Helen Doanna

Lastest Updated July 9, 2024
Home » Baby Names » Philip Name Meaning

Fact: The name Philip dates back all the way to the 4th century BCE. The name was given to Philip II of Macedon, the father of Alexander the Great.

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A Deep Dive

Philip Overview

Meaning

Lover of horses

Gender

Boy

Origin

Greek

Etymology

Derived from the Greek name “Philippos,” meaning “lover of horses”.

Religion

Christianity

Pronunciation

/ˈfɪlɪp/

Popularity

Philip is a classic name used globally, particularly popular in English-speaking and European countries. In 2023, Philip ranked #498 for boys in the USA​.

Syllable

2 syllables

Length

6 letters

Numerology

7 (Analytical, Studious, Knowledgeable)

Name Styles

Classic, Vintage, Religious and Spiritual

Associated Traits

Intelligent, strong, classic, sophisticated

Spiritual, Religious, or Cultural Significance

Has significant biblical connections, being one of the twelve apostles of Jesus.

Name Day

May 26th
A Deep Dive

Philip Variations in Different Cultures

Popular Variations

Phillip, Felipe, Filip, Philippe, Filippo, Phelps, Phil, Pip, Filipp, Felip

Common Nicknames

Phil, Pip, Flip, Lip, Philly, Pippy, Philby, Fifi, P, Lippo

Diminutives

Pip, Flip, Lip, Philby

Famous People

  • Philip Seymour Hoffman
    (American Actor)
  • Philip Glass
    (American Composer)
  • Philip K. Dick
    (American Novelist)
  • Philip Rivers
    (American Football Player)
  • Prince Philip
    (British Duke)

Pop Culture Icons and Works

  • Philip J. Fry
    ("Futurama," TV Series)
  • Philip Blake
    ("The Walking Dead," TV Series)
  • Philip Carey
    ("Of Human Bondage," Film)
  • Philip Pirrip
    ("Great Expectations," Novel)

Places

  • Philip Town
    (South Dakota, USA)
  • Philip Locality
    (South Carolina, USA)

What Is the Meaning of Philip?

Philip means “lover of horses,” derived from the Greek words “philos” (meaning “love” or “fond of”) and “hippos” (meaning “horse”).

What Is the Origin of The Name Philip?

The name Philip has its origins in ancient Greece. It is derived from the Greek name “Philippos”.

Philip Name Popularity

Popularity Chart of the Name Philip in the U.S. over the Years

United States flagUnited States#4512021#4942022#4982023
Top 3 Rankings#521941#531950#541942

Annual Statistics Breakdown for Philip

YearName RankingNumber of BirthsBirth Rate (%)
2023498
(-4 from 2022)
605
(-11 from 2022)
0.03304
2022494
(-43 from 2021)
616
(-59 from 2021)
0.03289
2021451
No change from 2020
675
(+17 from 2020)
0.03603
2020451
(-13 from 2019)
658
(-38 from 2019)
0.03557
2019438
(-2 from 2018)
696
(+3 from 2018)
0.03622
2018436
(-10 from 2017)
693
(-36 from 2017)
0.03565
2017426
(+9 from 2016)
729
(+17 from 2016)
0.03683
2016435
(-2 from 2015)
712
(+6 from 2015)
0.03515
2015433
(-44 from 2014)
706
(-92 from 2014)
0.03453
2014389
(-2 from 2013)
798
(+30 from 2013)
0.03894
2013387
(+21 from 2012)
768
(+53 from 2012)
0.03801
2012408
(-2 from 2011)
715
(+19 from 2011)
0.03524
2011406
(-3 from 2010)
696
(-3 from 2010)
0.03426
2010403
(-10 from 2009)
699
(-66 from 2009)
0.03402
2009393
(-16 from 2008)
765
(-52 from 2008)
0.03607
2008377
(-19 from 2007)
817
(-64 from 2007)
0.03747
2007358
(-17 from 2006)
881
(-27 from 2006)
0.03977
2006341
(-16 from 2005)
908
(-85 from 2005)
0.04142
2005325
(-18 from 2004)
993
(-26 from 2004)
0.04668
2004307
(-18 from 2003)
1019
(-55 from 2003)
0.04822
2003289
(-26 from 2002)
1074
(-127 from 2002)
0.05111
2002263
(+4 from 2001)
1201
(-20 from 2001)
0.05811
2001267
(-12 from 2000)
1221
(-91 from 2000)
0.05903
2000255
(-15 from 1999)
1312
(-14 from 1999)
0.06283
1999240
(-26 from 1998)
1326
(-172 from 1998)
0.06503
1998214
(-19 from 1997)
1498
(-163 from 1997)
0.07388
1997195
(-10 from 1996)
1661
(-64 from 1996)
0.08314
1996185
(-5 from 1995)
1725
(-32 from 1995)
0.08609
1995180
(-12 from 1994)
1757
(-139 from 1994)
0.08735
1994168
(-21 from 1993)
1896
(-374 from 1993)
0.09302
1993147
(-9 from 1992)
2270
(-164 from 1992)
0.10990
1992138
(-18 from 1991)
2434
(-315 from 1991)
0.11595
1991120
(-9 from 1990)
2749
(-393 from 1990)
0.12969
1990111
(-10 from 1989)
3142
(-183 from 1989)
0.14600
1989101
(-7 from 1988)
3325
(-48 from 1988)
0.15864
198894
(-10 from 1987)
3373
(-466 from 1987)
0.16846
198784
(+2 from 1986)
3839
(+173 from 1986)
0.19685
198686
(-2 from 1985)
3666
(-69 from 1985)
0.19077
198584
(-3 from 1984)
3735
(+217 from 1984)
0.19409
198481
(+1 from 1983)
3518
(+28 from 1983)
0.18746
198382
(-3 from 1982)
3490
(-153 from 1982)
0.18727
198279
(+5 from 1981)
3643
(+62 from 1981)
0.19304
198184
(-2 from 1980)
3581
(+19 from 1980)
0.19228
198082
(+1 from 1979)
3562
(+102 from 1979)
0.19205
197983
(+1 from 1978)
3460
(+162 from 1978)
0.19315
197884
(+6 from 1977)
3298
(+207 from 1977)
0.19302
197790
(-1 from 1976)
3091
(+148 from 1976)
0.18083
197689
(-4 from 1975)
2943
(-67 from 1975)
0.18027
197585
(+1 from 1974)
3010
(+41 from 1974)
0.18553
197486
(+5 from 1973)
2969
(-29 from 1973)
0.18212
197391
(+13 from 1972)
2998
(+220 from 1972)
0.18579
1972104
(-10 from 1971)
2778
(-524 from 1971)
0.16595
197194
(-2 from 1970)
3302
(-219 from 1970)
0.18164
197092
(-6 from 1969)
3521
(-18 from 1969)
0.18485
196986
(-4 from 1968)
3539
(-82 from 1968)
0.19348
196882
No change from 1967
3621
(-164 from 1967)
0.20395
196782
(+4 from 1966)
3785
(-170 from 1966)
0.21271
196686
(+1 from 1965)
3955
(-323 from 1965)
0.21759
196587
(-11 from 1964)
4278
(-698 from 1964)
0.22580
196476
(+7 from 1963)
4976
(+221 from 1963)
0.24548
196383
(-2 from 1962)
4755
(-315 from 1962)
0.23031
196281
(-2 from 1961)
5070
(-214 from 1961)
0.24123
196179
(-3 from 1960)
5284
(-228 from 1960)
0.24497
196076
(-8 from 1959)
5512
(-348 from 1959)
0.25455
195968
(-1 from 1958)
5860
(+30 from 1958)
0.27049
195867
(+1 from 1957)
5830
(-182 from 1957)
0.27055
195768
(-4 from 1956)
6012
(-94 from 1956)
0.27466
195664
(-2 from 1955)
6106
(-56 from 1955)
0.28450
195562
No change from 1954
6162
(-117 from 1954)
0.29480
195462
(-1 from 1953)
6279
No change from 1953
0.30346
195361
(-1 from 1952)
6279
(+125 from 1952)
0.31360
195260
(-5 from 1951)
6154
(+57 from 1951)
0.31187
195155
(-2 from 1950)
6097
(+27 from 1950)
0.31893
195053
(+2 from 1949)
6070
(-154 from 1949)
0.33374
194955
(-1 from 1948)
6224
(+63 from 1948)
0.34539
194854
(+3 from 1947)
6161
(-75 from 1947)
0.34559
194757
(+4 from 1946)
6236
(+1143 from 1946)
0.33571
194661
(-3 from 1945)
5093
(+983 from 1945)
0.30859
194558
(+2 from 1944)
4110
(+117 from 1944)
0.29968
194460
(-3 from 1943)
3993
(-480 from 1943)
0.28744
194357
(-3 from 1942)
4473
(-130 from 1942)
0.30750
194254
(-2 from 1941)
4603
(+437 from 1941)
0.32685
194152
(+8 from 1940)
4166
(+492 from 1940)
0.33199
194060
(+6 from 1939)
3674
(+500 from 1939)
0.30974
193966
(-2 from 1938)
3174
(+2 from 1938)
0.28007
193864
(-2 from 1937)
3172
(+10 from 1937)
0.27910
193762
(+1 from 1936)
3162
(+129 from 1936)
0.28913
193663
(+2 from 1935)
3033
(-31 from 1935)
0.28498
193565
(+4 from 1934)
3064
(+280 from 1934)
0.28646
193469
(+1 from 1933)
2784
(+254 from 1933)
0.26216
193370
No change from 1932
2530
(-95 from 1932)
0.24799
193270
(+1 from 1931)
2625
(-23 from 1931)
0.24431
193171
(+4 from 1930)
2648
(-7 from 1930)
0.24753
193075
(+1 from 1929)
2655
(+49 from 1929)
0.23506
192976
(-3 from 1928)
2606
(-120 from 1928)
0.23528
192873
(+2 from 1927)
2726
(+49 from 1927)
0.23888
192775
(-5 from 1926)
2677
(-31 from 1926)
0.23039
192670
(+5 from 1925)
2708
(+33 from 1925)
0.23642
192575
(-4 from 1924)
2675
(-246 from 1924)
0.23232
192471
(-1 from 1923)
2921
(+138 from 1923)
0.24986
192370
No change from 1922
2783
(+14 from 1922)
0.24579
192270
(+2 from 1921)
2769
(+66 from 1921)
0.24609
192172
(-1 from 1920)
2703
(+3 from 1920)
0.23754
192071
No change from 1919
2700
(+169 from 1919)
0.24528
191971
No change from 1918
2531
(-202 from 1918)
0.24928
191871
(-5 from 1917)
2733
(+189 from 1917)
0.26062
191766
(+4 from 1916)
2544
(+135 from 1916)
0.26519
191670
(-1 from 1915)
2409
(+81 from 1915)
0.26093
191569
(-1 from 1914)
2328
(+458 from 1914)
0.26427
191468
(+1 from 1913)
1870
(+386 from 1913)
0.27366
191369
No change from 1912
1484
(+247 from 1912)
0.27674
191269
No change from 1911
1237
(+625 from 1911)
0.27400
191169
(+14 from 1910)
612
(+194 from 1910)
0.25353
191083
(-5 from 1909)
418
(+23 from 1909)
0.20046
190978
(+8 from 1908)
395
(+76 from 1908)
0.22334
190886
(-10 from 1907)
319
(-37 from 1907)
0.19174
190776
(+9 from 1906)
356
(+76 from 1906)
0.22449
190685
(+11 from 1905)
280
(+46 from 1905)
0.19436
190596
(-11 from 1904)
234
(-32 from 1904)
0.16337
190485
No change from 1903
266
(+16 from 1903)
0.19205
190385
(+5 from 1902)
250
(+24 from 1902)
0.19332
190290
(-6 from 1901)
226
(-6 from 1901)
0.17024
190184
(+10 from 1900)
232
(-27 from 1900)
0.20071
190094
(-11 from 1899)
259
(+36 from 1899)
0.15975
189983
(+3 from 1898)
223
(-21 from 1898)
0.19359
189886
(+3 from 1897)
244
(+44 from 1897)
0.18471
189789
(+3 from 1896)
200
(-18 from 1896)
0.16401
189692
(-2 from 1895)
218
(+7 from 1895)
0.16890
189590
(+1 from 1894)
211
(-3 from 1894)
0.16661
189491
No change from 1893
214
(+6 from 1893)
0.17135
189391
(-9 from 1892)
208
(-31 from 1892)
0.17184
189282
(-2 from 1891)
239
(+41 from 1891)
0.18182
189180
(+8 from 1890)
198
(+6 from 1890)
0.18121
189088
(+7 from 1889)
192
(+9 from 1889)
0.16040
188995
(-5 from 1888)
183
(-13 from 1888)
0.15374
188890
(+5 from 1887)
196
(+35 from 1887)
0.15088
188795
(-8 from 1886)
161
(-26 from 1886)
0.14729
188687
(+2 from 1885)
187
(+24 from 1885)
0.15709
188589
(+7 from 1884)
163
(+2 from 1884)
0.14058
188496
(-12 from 1883)
161
(-5 from 1883)
0.13117
188384
(+3 from 1882)
166
(-16 from 1882)
0.14759
188287
(-4 from 1881)
182
(+26 from 1881)
0.14914
188183
(-2 from 1880)
156
(-30 from 1880)
0.14408
188081
First SSA data recorded
186
First SSA data recorded
0.15710

American States Popularity Rankings for Philip

(From the Most to Least Popular, Based on Number of Births )

New York (NY)

New York (NY) flagNew York (NY)#3162021#3202022#4042023

California (CA)

California (CA) flagCalifornia (CA)#4152021#5692022#5492023

Pennsylvania (PA)

Pennsylvania (PA) flagPennsylvania (PA)#3522021#3332022#5032023

Illinois (IL)

Illinois (IL) flagIllinois (IL)#5092021#4752022#6902023

Massachusetts (MA)

Massachusetts (MA) flagMassachusetts (MA)#3052021#3122022#2622023

Ohio (OH)

Ohio (OH) flagOhio (OH)#5682021#5802022#4522023

New Jersey (NJ)

New Jersey (NJ) flagNew Jersey (NJ)#3722021#4192022#3712023

Michigan (MI)

Michigan (MI) flagMichigan (MI)#5192021#9782022#5012023

Texas (TX)

Texas (TX) flagTexas (TX)#5342021#5522022#7302023

Indiana (IN)

Indiana (IN) flagIndiana (IN)#5352021#5912022#6322023

Florida (FL)

Florida (FL) flagFlorida (FL)#4342021#4852022#4632023

Connecticut (CT)

Connecticut (CT) flagConnecticut (CT)#2882021#2562022#3372023

Wisconsin (WI)

Wisconsin (WI) flagWisconsin (WI)#4152021#5002022#5562023

Minnesota (MN)

Minnesota (MN) flagMinnesota (MN)#3282021#3632022#4012023

Maryland (MD)

Maryland (MD) flagMaryland (MD)#5192021#3432022#8962023

Virginia (VA)

Virginia (VA) flagVirginia (VA)#3602021#4412022#3042023

North Carolina (NC)

North Carolina (NC) flagNorth Carolina (NC)#4832021#4172022#4872023

Louisiana (LA)

Louisiana (LA) flagLouisiana (LA)#3822021#4822022#5682023

Missouri (MO)

Missouri (MO) flagMissouri (MO)#4172021#9732022#5182023

Georgia (GA)

Georgia (GA) flagGeorgia (GA)#5762021#7132022#4862023

Washington (WA)

Washington (WA) flagWashington (WA)#6092021#3782022#3092023

Maine (ME)

Maine (ME) flagMaine (ME)#2662016#2582020#2242021

Kentucky (KY)

Kentucky (KY) flagKentucky (KY)#4802021#6492022#6562023

Tennessee (TN)

Tennessee (TN) flagTennessee (TN)#7252021#5292022#6412023

Iowa (IA)

Iowa (IA) flagIowa (IA)#4752018#3922019#6302023

Kansas (KS)

Kansas (KS) flagKansas (KS)#6482020#5562021#4552023

Alabama (AL)

Alabama (AL) flagAlabama (AL)#4762020#6562021#5452023

Colorado (CO)

Colorado (CO) flagColorado (CO)#3992021#8892022#6442023

South Carolina (SC)

South Carolina (SC) flagSouth Carolina (SC)#3492021#4402022#4202023

Oklahoma (OK)

Oklahoma (OK) flagOklahoma (OK)#4262018#7602019#6782023

West Virginia (WV)

West Virginia (WV) flagWest Virginia (WV)#2302005#2272007#2812014

Oregon (OR)

Oregon (OR) flagOregon (OR)#4392021#3372022#4692023

District of Columbia (DC)

District of Columbia (DC) flagDistrict of Columbia (DC)#1972020#1912022#1892023

Arizona (AZ)

Arizona (AZ) flagArizona (AZ)#7842021#7922022#10142023

New Hampshire (NH)

New Hampshire (NH) flagNew Hampshire (NH)#2622021#1622022#1742023

Nebraska (NE)

Nebraska (NE) flagNebraska (NE)#4882017#4892019#4812021

Rhode Island (RI)

Rhode Island (RI) flagRhode Island (RI)#2122004#2302006#2242021

Mississippi (MS)

Mississippi (MS) flagMississippi (MS)#4442013#5942018#4482019

Arkansas (AR)

Arkansas (AR) flagArkansas (AR)#6182016#6102019#5422023

Utah (UT)

Utah (UT) flagUtah (UT)#3702019#6592020#4952022

New Mexico (NM)

New Mexico (NM) flagNew Mexico (NM)#4082003#4062008#3332013

Vermont (VT)

Vermont (VT) flagVermont (VT)#1221995#1201997#1402006

North Dakota (ND)

North Dakota (ND) flagNorth Dakota (ND)#1491995#1962002#2272022

Hawaii (HI)

Hawaii (HI) flagHawaii (HI)#2492003#2822018#2052023

South Dakota (SD)

South Dakota (SD) flagSouth Dakota (SD)#1701996#1791998#1912007

Idaho (ID)

Idaho (ID) flagIdaho (ID)#4282011#4702022#3402023

Montana (MT)

Montana (MT) flagMontana (MT)#1761993#1351994#2061996

Delaware (DE)

Delaware (DE) flagDelaware (DE)#2032005#2172006#1922013

Nevada (NV)

Nevada (NV) flagNevada (NV)#4382015#4862017#5642021

Alaska (AK)

Alaska (AK) flagAlaska (AK)#1622000#2132006#2272009

Wyoming (WY)

Wyoming (WY) flagWyoming (WY)#1251989#821990#1421991

Popularity Rankings for Philip in other Countries and American Territories

(From the Most to Least Popular, Based on Rankings)

Popularity in Medieval England

Medieval England flagMedieval England#191377-1381

Popularity in Denmark

Denmark flagDenmark#382016#392017#492018

Popularity in Norway

Norway flagNorway#872021#882022#872023

Popularity in Australia (NSW)

Australia (NSW) flagAustralia (NSW)#891985#901986#981988

Popularity in Sweden

Sweden flagSweden#942022#912023

Popularity in Other American Territories

American Samoa flag American Samoa
Guam flag Guam
Northern Mariana Islands flag Northern Mariana Islands
U.S. Virgin Islands flag U.S. Virgin Islands

Other American Territories flagOther American Territories#992001

Popularity in Austria

Austria flagAustria#1272020#1112021#1482022

Popularity in France

France flagFrance#1941957

Popularity in Ireland

Ireland flagIreland#2152021#2512022#3032023

Popularity in Quebec, Canada

Quebec, Canada flagQuebec, Canada#2542020#2562021#3202022

Popularity in Poland

Poland flagPoland#2972021#4592022#3702023

Popularity in Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland flagNorthern Ireland#3922020#3262021#3112022

Popularity in Scotland

Scotland flagScotland#3902020#3162021#4352023

Popularity in Canada

Canada flagCanada#3292021#4992022#4162023

Popularity in England and Wales

England and Wales flagEngland and Wales#3962019#3592020#3392021

Popularity in Switzerland

Switzerland flagSwitzerland#4582020#5902021#3942022

Popularity in New Zealand

New Zealand flagNew Zealand#4342007#4172008#4372011

Source: Social Security Administration (SSA) and Other National Sources

Is Philip a Name for Boys or Girls?

Philip is traditionally a masculine name, widely used for boys due to its strong in personality.

Variants, Nicknames, Diminutives, and Ideal Middle Names for Philip

Philip in Famous People Names, Pop Culture, and Places

  • Philip Seymour Hoffman (Actor, 1967–2014): A critically acclaimed American actor who appeared in films like "Capote" and "The Master."
  • Philip Glass (Composer, 1937): An influential American composer known for his minimalist music style and operas like "Einstein on the Beach."
  • Philip K. Dick (Novelist, 1928–1982): An American science fiction writer whose works inspired films like "Blade Runner" and "Total Recall."
  • Philip Rivers (Football Player, 1981): A retired American football quarterback who played for the San Diego Chargers and Indianapolis Colts.
  • Prince Philip (Duke of Edinburgh, 1921–2021): The husband of Queen Elizabeth II, he supported numerous charitable organizations throughout his life.
  • Philip J. Fry ("Futurama," 1999 TV Series): A pizza delivery boy who wakes up 1,000 years in the future and becomes a delivery boy for Planet Express.
  • Philip Marlowe ("The Big Sleep," 1946 Film): A private detective navigating the dark underbelly of Los Angeles while solving complex cases.
  • Philip Blake ("The Walking Dead," 2010 TV Series): Also known as "The Governor," he is a ruthless leader of a survivor community during the zombie apocalypse.
  • Philip Carey ("Of Human Bondage," 1934 Film): A club-footed aspiring artist who experiences a tumultuous relationship with a waitress.
  • Philip Pirrip ("Great Expectations," 1861 Novel): Commonly known as Pip, he is an orphan whose life changes dramatically after an anonymous benefactor provides for his education.
  • Philip Town (South Dakota, USA): A small town in Haakon County, known for its friendly community and rural charm.
  • Philip Locality (South Carolina, USA): A locality in the state of South Carolina, recognized for its serene environment and close-knit residents.

Similar Names to Philip

  • Phineas
  • Philby
  • Philippe
  • Philippos
  • Phipps
  • Philbert
  • Philo
  • Philemon
  • Philani
  • Philander
  • Felipe
  • Filip