Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
The name Philip has Greek origins and means 'lover of horses'. It evolved through various languages from the ancient Greek 'Philippos' to its modern forms. The name is rooted in a rich history, associated with biblical figures and royal lineages, giving it a timeless appeal. Today, it conveys traits of intelligence and leadership, and it remains popular across different cultures.
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/ˈfɪlɪp/
Origin
Greek
Etymology
The name Philip comes from the Greek name 'Philippos', which means 'lover of horses'. The components of the name are 'philos', meaning 'loving' or 'fond of', and 'hippos', meaning 'horse'.
Meaning
Lover of horses
Language Evolution
Philippos (Ancient Greek), Philipus (Latin), Philippe (French), Filip (Slavic languages), Felipe (Spanish), Filippo (Italian)
Biblical Background
The name Philip is associated with several figures in the New Testament, including one of the twelve apostles, Philip the Evangelist.
Historical Usage
The name gained popularity in the Christian world due to its biblical connections and was common among royalty in medieval Europe.
Variants & Derivatives
Phil, Philippe, Felipe, Filip, Filippo
Modern Popularity & Image
Philip remains a popular name in many cultures and is often associated with intelligence and leadership, as well as a sense of tradition.
Famous People
Philip II of Macedon, Philip the Apostle, Philip K. Dick, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, Phil Collins
📊 Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Explore More Name Visualizations
Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Highly Popular name with 6,288 peak births in 1953
Geographic Spread
Popular across 51 US states, with strongest presence in Maine
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 12 different American generations with varying popularity
🔊 Alternative Spellings & Similar Sounds (12 Variations)
Explore names that share identical pronunciation with different spellings. These variations offer alternative options for parents seeking unique yet familiar-sounding choices. This curated collection includes 12 carefully selected variations that maintain the same phonetic sound while providing distinct spelling options.
Why consider alternative spellings? Different spellings can offer unique cultural significance or personal preference while maintaining the familiar sound. This collection covers various spelling patterns, helping you find variations that match your preferences.
Historical Birth Statistics
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 71st of 7545 | 42,660 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 67th of 6773 | 59,198 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 68th of 7552 | 110,163 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 81st of 10718 | 54,113 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 109th of 16616 | 48,143 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 304th of 24088 | 16,788 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 447th of 23106 | 8,246 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 2789th of 9107 | 186 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 2602nd of 9204 | 211 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 3535th of 12526 | 220 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 3796th of 19264 | 265 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 5383rd of 27321 | 249 |
Regional Popularity by Generation - Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
6.07% 86th/1416 |
3.26% 45th/1379 |
6.51% 154th/2366 |
6.13% 70th/1142 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
4.46% 69th/1546 |
2.38% 37th/1556 |
5.35% 126th/2353 |
4.78% 74th/1547 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
2.74% 61st/2227 |
1.69% 41st/2430 |
3.54% 101st/2853 |
2.77% 77th/2775 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
3.13% 92nd/2937 |
1.67% 58th/3483 |
3.27% 115th/3518 |
2.84% 115th/4044 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
2.77% 102nd/3685 |
1.63% 73rd/4475 |
2.25% 117th/5194 |
2.41% 152nd/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
6.72% 308th/4582 |
3.58% 185th/5164 |
4.39% 321st/7313 |
5.01% 374th/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
10.87% 433rd/3984 |
7.22% 324th/4487 |
7.18% 490th/6822 |
8.11% 509th/6276 |
Regional Popularity by Generation - Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- |
80.64% 1112th/1379 |
- | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- |
100.00% 1556th/1556 |
- | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- |
90.08% 2189th/2430 |
- | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
100.00% 3685th/3685 |
100.00% 4475th/4475 |
- |
80.86% 5108th/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
State-by-State Popularity
This map shows relative popularity across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.
Comprehensive Regional & Generational Popularity Trends in the United States
This name shows strongest popularity in Maine across all generations. It ranks highest as a Boy name among the Silent Generation generation in the Northeast region. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. Recent 3-year trends show this Girl name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, usage has been falling for male in MidWest, stalled for female in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for female in Northeast, stalled for male in South, stalled for male in West, stalled for female in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for female in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for female in Northeast, stalled for male in South, stalled for male in West, stalled for female in West. Across generations, popularity patterns vary significantly: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 71st out of 7545 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 67th out of 6773 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 68th out of 7552 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 81st out of 10718 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 109th out of 16616 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 304th out of 24088 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 447th out of 23106 names. Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 2789th out of 9107 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 2602nd out of 9204 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 3535th out of 12526 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 3796th out of 19264 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 5383rd out of 27321 names. Explore how this name has evolved through American history with comprehensive regional and generational analysis.