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Phillip

♂ Boy

Pronounced FIL-ip /ˈfɪl.ɪp/High

Meaning: From Greek Philippos, composed of philein meaning to love and hippos meaning horse; the name was borne by Philip II of Macedon, father of Alexander the GreatHigh

In 30 seconds: The double-l spelling of the ancient Greek horse-lover name, Phillip is a reliable classic carried by kings and apostles alike, with a grounded two-syllable sound.
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Origin HighGreek
MeaningFrom Greek Philippos, composed of philein meaning to love and hippos meaning horse; the name was borne by Philip II of Macedon, father of Alexander the Great
U.S. rank (2025)#651 ↘ Falling
2025 U.S. births425 boys (0.02% of U.S. boys)
Peak year1960
Total births (all-time)≈ 311,545

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 196018802025

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

History & Origin

Phillip (also spelled Philip) derives from Greek Philippos, a compound of philein (to love) and hippos (horse). The name was widespread in ancient Macedonia and throughout the Hellenistic world. In the New Testament, Philip was one of the twelve apostles, and the evangelist Philip is credited with baptizing the Ethiopian eunuch in Acts.

Philip/Phillip has been a royal and aristocratic name across Europe for centuries, borne by kings of Spain, France, England, and Macedon. In the United States it has ranked consistently in the top 200 for boys throughout the 20th century. The Phillip spelling is a common American variant that adds a second -l-. The name today reads as a dignified classic with a gentle presence.

Did you know? The name Philip spread across the ancient world largely because of Philip II of Macedon, whose son Alexander the Great conquered much of the known world — making Philip one of the most geopolitically significant names in history.
Overall data confidence 97%
Behind the Name — Philip — etymology and historyU.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data

Variations

PhilipFilipFilippo

Nicknames

PhilPip

Famous Bearers

  • ★Philip II of Macedon (382 BC–336 BC)
    King of Macedon and father of Alexander the Great.
  • ★Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh (1921–2021)
    Consort of Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom.

If you like Phillip…

William— shares the same dignified classic status and centuries of royal and apostolic use
Stephen— fellow New Testament apostle name with the same steady, two-syllable reliability
Thomas— another apostle name from the same generation of enduring English classics
Peter— shares the apostle heritage and the same grounded, timeless quality

Frequently Asked

What does the name Phillip mean?

Phillip means lover of horses, from Greek philein (to love) and hippos (horse).

How do you pronounce Phillip?

It is said FIL-ip /ˈfɪl.ɪp/ — two syllables with stress on the first.

Is Phillip spelled with one or two L's?

Both Philip (one L) and Phillip (two L's) are correct; Philip is the original Greek-derived spelling, while Phillip is a common American variant.

Is Phillip a popular name?

Phillip has been a steady top-200 boys' name in the United States throughout the 20th century and remains in consistent use.