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Home › Baby Names Directory › Philopater

Philopater

♂ Boy

Pronounced fil-oh-PAY-ter /fɪ.loʊˈpeɪ.tər/Medium

Meaning: From Greek Philopator — philos ('loving') and pater ('father') — 'father-loving.' It was an epithet of Ptolemaic rulers of Egypt, and it survives as a Coptic Christian name, borne by Saint Philopater Mercurius (Abu Sefein), a martyr venerated in the Coptic Orthodox Church.Medium

In 30 seconds: A Greek-Coptic name of devotion: Philopater means 'father-loving' (said 'fil-oh-PAY-ter').
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Origin MediumGreek, Coptic
MeaningFrom Greek Philopator — philos ('loving') and pater ('father') — 'father-loving.' It was an epithet of Ptolemaic rulers of Egypt, and it survives as a Coptic Christian name, borne by Saint Philopater Mercurius (Abu Sefein), a martyr venerated in the Coptic Orthodox Church.
U.S. rank (2024)#13690 ↘ Falling
2024 U.S. births5 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)
Peak year2019
Total births (all-time)≈ 165

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 201920062024

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

Philopater comes from Greek philos ('loving') and pater ('father'). Ptolemaic kings of Egypt took Philopator as a title, and the name passed into Coptic Christian use, where it is carried in honor of Saint Philopater Mercurius (Abu Sefein), a soldier-martyr venerated in the Coptic Orthodox Church. Egyptian Christian families give it with that saint in mind, which we note respectfully (said 'fil-oh-PAY-ter').

In the U.S. it is very rare for boys. Rare, Coptic, and devout.

Did you know? Philopater began as a royal epithet in Ptolemaic Egypt — 'father-loving' — and became a Coptic Christian name, borne by Saint Philopater Mercurius, known as Abu Sefein, a martyr honored in the Coptic Church (said 'fil-oh-PAY-ter').
Overall data confidence 55%
References — Philopater — Greek philos + pater; Ptolemaic epithet; Coptic saint Philopater Mercurius

Variations

PhilopateerPhilopator

Nicknames

PhiloPater

Famous Bearers

  • Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Philopater…

Philip— a like Greek phil- name
Kyrillos— a similar Coptic Christian pick
Mina— a like Coptic saint's name
Theodore— a similar devout Greek choice

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Philopater mean?

Philopater is Greek for 'father-loving' — philos ('loving') plus pater ('father'). It was a Ptolemaic royal epithet and is a Coptic saint's name.

How do you pronounce Philopater?

It's said fil-oh-PAY-ter /fɪ.loʊˈpeɪ.tər/ — four syllables, stress on the third.

Is Philopater a boy or girl name?

Philopater is used as a boy's name.

How popular is Philopater?

Philopater is a very rare name for boys in the U.S.

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