How to say it
PHIL · ip
/ˈfɪl.ɪp/
Masculine
Philip
Lover of horses
What it means
Greek, 'lover of horses,' from philos, 'loving,' and hippos, 'horse.'
Philip joins the Greek philos, 'loving,' to hippos, 'horse,' giving 'lover of horses.' It was the name of Alexander the Great's father and one of the twelve apostles, and a steady royal name through Prince Philip. Phil and Pip are the shorts. Said FIL-ip.
Popularity over time
peaked at #52 in 1941, currently #528 in 2025.
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration, names given to at least 5 babies in a year, 1880–present. See where the names are moving
Heads-up notes
- Nickname
Phil, Pip.
- Worth knowing
An apostle and the father of Alexander the Great; Prince Philip.
Spelling variants
- Phillip
- Felipe
- Philippe
Names with the same feeling
See Philip from another angle
By style