How to say it
PHOE · be
ˈfi.bi
Feminine
Phoebe
Bright, shining
What it means
Greek Phoibē, 'bright' or 'shining,' related to phoibos ('pure, radiant'). A Titaness in Greek mythology, grandmother of Apollo and Artemis. Also a New Testament figure named in Romans 16.
Phoebe comes from the Greek Phoibē (from phoibos, 'bright, pure, radiant'). In Greek mythology Phoebe was a Titaness associated with the moon, grandmother of Apollo (the sun) and Artemis (the moon). In the New Testament (Romans 16:1), Phoebe is a deaconess Paul names with notable respect. The name was popular among 19th-century English-speaking Protestants and dropped through the mid-20th century; Friends (Lisa Kudrow's Phoebe Buffay, 1994-2004) brought it back into broader US use. It entered the US top 200 in 2017.
How to spell Phoebe
The standard spelling is Phoebe. Common variants include Phebe, Phoibe, but Phoebe is the most widely used form.
Popularity over time
peaked at #157 in 2025, currently #157 in 2025.
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration, names given to at least 5 babies in a year, 1880–2025. Reviewed July 2026. See where the names are moving
Heads-up notes
- Pronunciation
FEE-bee, two syllables. The PH is pronounced as F; the OE is a single E sound.
- Pop culture
Friends' Phoebe Buffay is the dominant English-language anchor for parents under fifty.
Who's worn it
Historical figures, characters, and public faces who share the name. The cultural surface, for whatever weight you want to give it.
- Phoebe (Bible) Deaconess of Cenchreae, named with respect in Paul's letter to the Romans
- Phoebe Buffay Lisa Kudrow's character in Friends, the eccentric folk-singer roommate
- Phoebe Waller-Bridge British writer-actress, Fleabag and Killing Eve
Spelling variants
- Phebe
- Phoibe
Names with the same feeling
See Phoebe from another angle
By meaning
By style
Common questions
- What does the name Phoebe mean?
- Greek Phoibē, 'bright' or 'shining,' related to phoibos ('pure, radiant'). A Titaness in Greek mythology, grandmother of Apollo and Artemis. Also a New Testament figure named in Romans 16.
- What does Phoebe mean in Greek?
- In Greek, Phoebe means "Bright, shining." Phoebe comes from the Greek Phoibē (from phoibos, 'bright, pure, radiant'). In Greek mythology Phoebe was a Titaness associated with the moon, grandmother of Apollo (the sun) and Artemis (the moon). In the New Testament (Romans 16:1), Phoebe is a deaconess Paul names with notable respect. The name was popular among 19th-century English-speaking Protestants and dropped through the mid-20th century; Friends (Lisa Kudrow's Phoebe Buffay, 1994-2004) brought it back into broader US use. It entered the US top 200 in 2017.
- How do you pronounce Phoebe?
- Phoebe is pronounced ˈfi.bi. Say it as PHOE-be, with the stress on the "phoe" syllable.
- How do you spell Phoebe?
- The standard spelling is Phoebe. Common spelling variants include Phebe, Phoibe.
- Is Phoebe a boy or girl name?
- Phoebe is traditionally a feminine name.
- How popular is the name Phoebe?
- Phoebe ranked #157 in the U.S. in 2025, according to Social Security Administration data.