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Phoebe

♀ Girl

Pronounced FEE-bee /ˈfiː.bi/High

Meaning: Bright, radiant, shining oneHigh

In 30 seconds: A luminous Greek name meaning 'bright one.' Borne by a Titan goddess of the moon in mythology, an early Christian in the New Testament, and a beloved character on Friends.
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Origin HighGreek
MeaningBright, radiant, shining one
Peak year2015
Total births (all-time)≈ 32,513

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 201518802017

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

History & Origin

Phoebe comes from the Greek Φοίβη (Phoibē), the feminine form of Phoibos ('bright, radiant'), an epithet of Apollo. In Greek mythology Phoebe was a Titaness associated with the moon and the Oracle at Delphi. The name also appears in the New Testament (Romans 16:1), where Phoebe is described as a deaconess of the church at Cenchreae.

Phoebe was used in England from the 16th century and was moderately popular through the Victorian era. It fell out of fashion in the mid-20th century but experienced a strong revival in the 1990s–2000s, boosted in part by the character Phoebe Buffay on the TV series Friends. It is now consistently popular on both sides of the Atlantic.

Did you know? In Greek mythology, Phoebe was one of the original Titans and grandmother of Apollo and Artemis — her name was later used as an epithet for Artemis as moon goddess.

Variations

PhebeFebe

Nicknames

PheBea

Famous Bearers

  • ★Phoebe Waller-Bridge (b. 1985)
    British actress and writer, creator of <em>Fleabag</em>.
  • ★Phoebe Snow (1950–2011)
    American singer-songwriter known for 'Poetry Man.'

If you like Phoebe…

Chloe— another bright Greek goddess name with a fresh, modern feel
Zoe— short, vibrant Greek name meaning 'life'
Penelope— classic Greek name enjoying the same modern revival

Frequently Asked

What does the name Phoebe mean?

Phoebe is from Greek and means 'bright' or 'radiant.' It was the name of a moon goddess in Greek mythology.

How do you pronounce Phoebe?

Phoebe is pronounced FEE-bee (/ˈfiː.bi/) — two syllables with stress on the first.

Is Phoebe a boy or girl name?

Phoebe is used almost exclusively as a girl's name.

How popular is Phoebe?

Phoebe has been climbing the U.S. charts since the 1990s and is now consistently in the top 100 girls' names.