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Felipe

♂ Boy

Pronounced feh-LEE-pay /fɛˈliː.peɪ/High

Meaning: Spanish and Portuguese form of Philip, from Greek Philippos composed of philos meaning lover or friend and hippos meaning horseHigh

In 30 seconds: Felipe is the vibrant Spanish form of Philip meaning lover of horses. From royalty to everyday use across Latin America and Spain, it combines classical Greek roots with Mediterranean warmth.
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Origin HighGreek, Spanish
MeaningSpanish and Portuguese form of Philip, from Greek Philippos composed of philos meaning lover or friend and hippos meaning horse
U.S. rank (2025)#955 ↘ Falling
2025 U.S. births244 boys (0.01% of U.S. boys)
Peak year2001
Total births (all-time)≈ 31,821

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 200118802025

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

History & Origin

Philip was the name of the Macedonian king Philip II, father of Alexander the Great, making the Greek original one of antiquity's most prestigious names. The Spanish form Felipe spread through the Iberian Peninsula and the Americas via colonization.

Felipe has been a consistently popular name throughout Latin America for centuries. It carries the elegance of royal and aristocratic association while remaining warmly familiar in everyday use.

Did you know? King Felipe VI became King of Spain in 2014, reinvigorating the name's royal associations. Spain has had two kings named Felipe, and the Habsburg kings Philip II and Philip IV of Spain — also Felipe in Spanish — were among Europe's most powerful monarchs.
Overall data confidence 97%
Behind the Name — Felipe — Greek etymology and Spanish usageU.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data

Variations

PhilipFilipePhilippe

Nicknames

PipeFeliPhil

Famous Bearers

  • ★Felipe VI of Spain (1968–present)
    King of Spain since 2014 and son of Juan Carlos I. He studied law at the Autonomous University of Madrid and earned a master's degree from Georgetown University.

If you like Felipe…

Francisco— shares the classic Spanish Catholic royal tradition and three-syllable structure
Alejandro— same royal Spanish heritage and melodic multi-syllable character
Rafael— same three-syllable Spanish classic with an elegant European feel
Nicolas— shares the Greek-rooted Spanish classic and noble historical associations

Frequently Asked

What does the name Felipe mean?

Felipe means lover of horses from Greek Philippos, combining philos (lover) and hippos (horse).

How do you pronounce Felipe?

It is said feh-LEE-pay in Spanish, with three syllables and stress on the second.

Is Felipe a popular name?

Felipe is consistently popular throughout Spain and Latin America and is well recognized in the United States among Spanish-speaking communities.

Is Felipe the same as Philip?

Felipe is the Spanish form of Philip; they share the same Greek origin and meaning.