Philip is a classic male given name of Greek origin. It means "loving horse" or "fond of horses," derived from the Greek elements philios, meaning "loving," and hippos, meaning "horse." The name Philip has been popular throughout history, with several notable figures bearing this name.
The most famous bearer of the name Philip is likely Philip II of Macedon (382-336 BC), father of Alexander the Great. He was a skilled military leader who expanded his kingdom and laid the foundation for its future greatness under his son's rule.
Another significant figure named Philip is Saint Philip, one of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus Christ. He is venerated as a saint in several Christian denominations and is considered the patron saint of Argentina, Hungary, and other places.
The name Philip was also borne by several kings and rulers throughout history, including Philip I of France (1052-1108), Philip III of Spain (1245-1291), and Philip II of Spain (1527-1598), who is better known as King Philip the Prudent. Additionally, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh (1921-present), the husband of Queen Elizabeth II, has helped to popularize this name in recent times.
In literature, Philip is the protagonist of Charles Dickens' novel "David Copperfield," while in film, Philip Marlowe is the famous detective created by Raymond Chandler and portrayed by actors such as Humphrey Bogart and Robert Mitchum.
Throughout history, the name Philip has been associated with strength, leadership, and wisdom, thanks to the many notable figures who have borne this name. Today, Philip remains a popular choice for parents seeking a classic, timeless name for their sons.
The statistics provided show the number of births for the name Philip in the United States over several years. The highest number of births recorded was 8 in both 1959 and 1960, indicating that those were peak years for parents choosing the name Philip for their newborn sons. However, there is a gap in the data from 1963 to 1986, making it difficult to determine any trends during this period.
The total number of births recorded with the name Philip over these years is 64. It's worth noting that the name appears to have seen a resurgence in popularity in recent decades, with 7 births recorded in both 1986 and 1987, and another 5 births in 1989.
Overall, while the data shows some fluctuations in popularity over time, Philip remains a relatively uncommon name, with an average of around 6 births per year across the given time period. It's always interesting to see how naming trends evolve over time!