Phillip
How to say it: FIL-ip · /ˈfɪlɪp/
From Greek 'Philippos' meaning 'lover of horses', from 'philos' (loving) + 'hippos' (horse). A royal name across European history.
Phillip was the 332nd most popular boys’ name in the United States in 2025, given to 425 babies (Social Security Administration). Its busiest decade was the 1960s, 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 | 425 |
| Share of births | 1 in 3,160 |
| Peak decade | 1960s |
| Change over 10 years | −33% |
| Projected rank for 2030 (estimate) | #390 |
| In France, 2025 | #462 among boys’ names, 0 births |
Sources: Social Security Administration (SSA), Insee (France). How we compute these figures.
Its life, decade by decade
Use of Phillip thinned after the 1960s high point. Far below that peak today, further slipping is expected.
What goes with it
Crisp with a breathy finish, Phillip carries a biblical heritage as a saint's name. Christopher shares its style and Pip is a playful short form.
Parents who love Phillip also love
Nicknames
- Phil
- Pip
- Philly
Honouring a Phillip in the family
In the classroom
In a class of 25 children born in 2025, the chance that another child is called Phillip is about 1 in 132.
Around the world
This spelling is used in English, Greek.
In France: #462 for boys in 2025.
Famous people named Phillip
- Phillip Cocu (born 1970)Dutch association football player and manager
- Phillip Sharp (born 1944)American biologist
- Phillip Noyce (born 1950)Australian film director
From Wikidata and Wikipedia
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