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Philippa
Pronounced FIH-lih-puh /ˈfɪ.lɪ.pə/Medium
Meaning: Friend of horsesMedium
Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data
U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.
SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.
History & Origin
The name descends from a compound meaning 'friend of horses,' the same sense behind the masculine Philip, and reached English through long use of that older name. Philippa has stayed in steady use as the feminine version. The British philosopher Philippa Foot (1920-2010), who devised the famous trolley problem, is one notable bearer.
It travels widely in slightly altered spellings, from the Italian and Scandinavian Filippa to the French Philippine and Spanish-style Filipina, each keeping the same horse-loving root. The double-L spelling Phillipa is another common everyday variant.
Variations
Nicknames
Famous Bearers
- ★Philippa Foot (1920–2010)British philosopher, originated the trolley problem.
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Frequently Asked
What does the name Philippa mean?
Philippa is usually explained as meaning 'friend of horses' and is most often linked with English tradition.
How do you pronounce Philippa?
It's commonly said FIH-lih-puh /ˈfɪ.lɪ.pə/.
Is Philippa a boy or girl name?
In this batch and in recent U.S. usage data, Philippa is used as a girl name.
How popular is Philippa?
In 2024, Philippa ranked #2641 in the U.S. for girls, with 66 births recorded.