Philip
How to say it: FIL-ip · /ˈfɪlɪp/
From Greek Philippos meaning 'lover of horses' (philos + hippos). Name of an apostle and several kings.
Philip was the 332nd most popular boys’ name in the United States in 2025, given to 568 babies (Social Security Administration). Its busiest decade was the 1940s, its births are down about 33% in ten years, and it is projected to slip to #390 by 2030.
Updated · SSA 2025 data, published May 2026 · Insee 2025 data, published July 2026 · How we compute these figures
Key facts
| Rank among boys’ names, 2025 | #332 |
|---|---|
| Babies born in 2025 | 568 |
| Share of births | 1 in 3,160 |
| Peak decade | 1940s |
| Change over 10 years | −33% |
| Projected rank for 2030 (estimate) | #390 |
| In France, 2025 | #462 among boys’ names, 5 births |
Sources: Social Security Administration (SSA), Insee (France). How we compute these figures.
Its life, decade by decade
After its high point in the 1940s, Philip became rarer. Still far below that peak, slipping is expected to continue.
What goes with it
Bright and clipped with breathy lightness, Philip holds biblical standing as a saint's name. Edward shares its style and Phil is a classic short form.
Nicknames
- Phil
- Pip
Honouring a Philip in the family
In the classroom
In a class of 25 children born in 2025, the chance that another child is called Philip is about 1 in 132.
Around the world
This spelling is used in Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, German, Greek, Norwegian, Swedish, Welsh.
In France: #462 for boys in 2025.
Ireland: #315.
Famous people named Philip
- Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh (1921–2021)Consort of Elizabeth II from 1952 to 2021
- Philip Pullman (born 1946)English author
- Philip K. Dick (1928–1982)American science fiction author
From Wikidata and Wikipedia
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