Phillip Name Meaning, Origin and Popularity
Phillip is predominantly used for boys. The statistics below show this exact spelling in official U.S. records.
How Do You Spell Phillip?
Phillip is spelled P-H-I-L-L-I-P. The name has 7 letters.
Phillip at a Glance
- Usage
- Predominantly used for boys
- Meaning
- Phillip means “lover of horses.”
- Origin
- Phillip is derived from the Greek name Philippos, which combines elements meaning “horse” and “lover.”
- Pronunciation
- FIL-ip · 2 syllables
Phillip Popularity in 2025
Rank#651
Recorded Births425
- Boys usage fell 25 places to #651 and recorded 28 fewer births compared with 2024.
Figures reflect this exact spelling in the latest available U.S. Social Security Administration records. See the complete year-by-year trend.
What Does the Name Phillip Mean?
Phillip means “lover of horses.”
Origin: Phillip is derived from the Greek name Philippos, which combines elements meaning “horse” and “lover.”
How Do You Pronounce Phillip?
PronunciationFIL-ip
Syllables2
What Is the History of the Name Phillip?
- History
- The name Phillip has been used in cultures influenced by Greek and Christian traditions and is associated with historical figures such as Philip of Macedon.
Phillip Popularity by Year
The table below shows the most recent available records for this exact spelling from 2003 through 2025. Use the full history page to explore every recorded year.
| Year | Usage Category | Recorded Births | National Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Boys | 425 | #651 |
| 2024 | Boys | 453 | #626 |
| 2023 | Boys | 455 | #616 |
| 2022 | Boys | 514 | #572 |
| 2021 | Boys | 559 | #524 |
| 2020 | Boys | 553 | #519 |
| 2019 | Boys | 569 | #503 |
| 2018 | Boys | 666 | #449 |
| 2017 | Boys | 727 | #427 |
| 2016 | Boys | 707 | #437 |
| 2015 | Boys | 762 | #408 |
| 2014 | Boys | 798 | #390 |
| 2013 | Boys | 870 | #362 |
| 2012 | Boys | 884 | #350 |
| 2011 | Boys | 779 | #378 |
| 2010 | Boys | 864 | #354 |
| 2009 | Boys | 927 | #339 |
| 2008 | Boys | 1,098 | #304 |
| 2007 | Boys | 1,175 | #292 |
| 2006 | Boys | 1,220 | #286 |
| 2005 | Girls | 5 | #16,462 |
| 2005 | Boys | 1,233 | #268 |
| 2004 | Boys | 1,325 | #247 |
| 2003 | Boys | 1,455 | #233 |
When Was Phillip Most Popular?
Peak years are based on the highest recorded birth totals for this exact spelling and usage category. They are ordered by birth count, not chronologically.
1960 · Boys
6,047 recorded births
National rank #66
1961 · Boys
5,976 recorded births
National rank #69
1962 · Boys
5,881 recorded births
National rank #68
1963 · Boys
5,655 recorded births
National rank #70
Where Phillip Ranked Highest in 2025
State rankings are calculated separately for girls and boys within each state. The SSA omits state-level names recorded fewer than five times, so low visible counts can still represent a relatively high state rank.
Top States for Boys
| State | Rank | Recorded Births |
|---|---|---|
| SD | #257 | 5 |
| KY | #345 | 14 |
| AL | #375 | 14 |
| LA | #426 | 11 |
| OK | #426 | 10 |
| VA | #435 | 18 |
| SC | #438 | 11 |
| MO | #457 | 13 |