Boy
Greek
2 syllables
Philip
FIL-ip
/ˈfɪl.ɪp/
"Noble and swift" — a name born for kings and apostles
Philip is the English form of the Greek Philippos, a compound of 'philos' (lover) and 'hippos' (horse), meaning 'lover of horses.' The horse was the ultimate symbol of nobility in the ancient world, making this a name of aristocratic aspiration. It was borne by Philip II of Macedon (father of Alexander the Great), several kings of Spain and France, and Saint Philip the Apostle. The name has carried regal and scholarly dignity across 2,500 years of history.
Quick Facts
Letters6
SyllablesPhil · ip
GenderBoy
OriginGreek
Root WordPhilippos
MeaningLover of horses
PopularityCommon
Peak Year1955
Trend
→ Stable
Name DayMay 3
Nicknames
PhilPipFlip
About the Name Philip
Philip means 'lover of horses,' from the Greek Philippos (philos = lover + hippos = horse). In the ancient world, horses represented nobility, wealth, and military power, making this a name of elevated aspiration. The name has carried this aristocratic association through centuries of royal use.
Philip was most popular in the mid-20th century in the United States and Europe. It has declined from its peak but remains a recognized, respected name. In various forms — Felipe, Filip, Philippe — it remains popular across Europe and Latin America.
Philip is associated with intelligence, practicality, and a calm, reliable authority. People named Philip are often seen as thoughtful, principled, and quietly capable. The name carries a sense of measured wisdom and steady leadership.
Philip pairs well with classic English and European middle names: Philip James, Philip Alexander, and Philip Thomas all sound distinguished. Royal combinations like Philip Edward or Philip George honor the name's long aristocratic tradition.
Philip comes from the ancient Greek Philippos. It was a prominent Macedonian royal name and spread throughout the Western world via Alexander the Great's empire, the New Testament, and numerous European monarchs. It has been in continuous use in the English-speaking world since the early Christian era.
Phil is the most common nickname, widely used in casual and professional contexts. Pip is an affectionate older form, famously used for Pip in Dickens' Great Expectations. Flip is an occasional playful variant. Most adults use the full Philip in formal settings.
Personality of Philip
Perceived character traits commonly associated with people named Philip
Creativity
68%
Elegance
76%
Independence
76%
Intelligence
82%
Strength
74%
Warmth
72%
Famous People Named Philip
P
Philip II of Macedon
King of Macedon and father of Alexander the Great
P
Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh
Husband of Queen Elizabeth II, Duke of Edinburgh
P
Philip Seymour Hoffman
American actor and Academy Award winner for Capote
S
Saint Philip
One of the twelve Apostles of Jesus, patron of Luxembourg
Middle Names for Philip
Beautiful combinations that flow well with Philip
Philip Philip James
Philip Philip Alexander
Philip Philip Thomas
Philip Philip William
Philip Philip Edward
Philip Philip George
Philip Philip Robert
Philip Philip Anthony
Philip Philip Charles
Philip Philip David
Names Similar to Philip
Similar Meaning
Sibling Name Ideas
History of Philip
382 BC
Philip II of Macedon born; he will create the army that his son Alexander uses to conquer the world
30 AD
Philip the Apostle joins Jesus; becomes patron saint of Luxembourg and Ecuador
1500s
Philip II of Spain rules the most powerful empire on earth; name at height of European prestige
1955
Philip peaks in US popularity; Prince Philip's public profile keeps it relevant into the 21st century
Numerology & Symbolism of Philip
7
Destiny Number
Sum of all letters
9
Soul Urge
Sum of vowels
♍
Zodiac Affinity
Sagittarius
7
Lucky Number
Personal power digit
🎨
Lucky Color
Royal Purple
💎
Lucky Stone
Amethyst
🌸
Lucky Flower
Violet
Philip Around the World
How Philip is written in different languages and scripts
فيليب
Arabic
フィリップ
Japanese
Филипп
Russian
필립
Korean
菲利普
Chinese
Φίλιππος
Greek
फिलिप
Hindi
פִילִיפּ
Hebrew
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