Philip is a name of Greek origin, derived from the name Philippos, which means "loving horseman." It is composed of two elements: philos, meaning "friend," and hippos, meaning "horse." Thus, Philip means "one who loves horses" or "horselover."
The name Philip has been widely used throughout history. One of the most notable figures bearing this name is Alexander the Great's father, Philip II of Macedon (382-336 BC). He was a powerful ruler who conquered much of Greece and laid the groundwork for his son's empire.
In the Christian tradition, Saint Philip the Apostle was one of Jesus Christ's twelve apostles. His feast day is celebrated on May 1st. There are also several other saints named Philip in the Catholic Church.
The name Philip has been popular among European royalty throughout history. In addition to Alexander the Great's father, there have been several kings and princes named Philip, including Philip II of Spain (1527-1598), who married Elizabeth I of England; Philip III of France (1245-1285); and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh (born 1921), the consort of Queen Elizabeth II.
In literature, Philip is the name of characters in works such as Charles Dickens' "Oliver Twist" and E.M. Forster's "A Room with a View." It has also been used prominently in popular culture, with notable examples including Philip J. Fry from the animated series "Futurama" and Philip Banks, known as "Phelps," from the sitcom "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air."
Today, Philip remains a popular name for boys worldwide, ranking among the top 100 names in several countries such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and many European nations. Its timeless appeal can be attributed to its strong historical roots and attractive sound.
The name Philip has seen a varied history of popularity over the years in the United States. According to the statistics provided, the number of births with the name Philip has fluctuated significantly from year to year.
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the name Philip was given to an average of around 6-8 babies per year, with a peak of 13 births in 1918. The 1920s saw a steady increase in popularity, with the highest number of Philips born in 1927 (25 births). This trend continued into the early 1930s, but then the popularity of the name began to decline.
The mid-20th century saw a mix of trends for the name Philip. There were years with fewer than 10 births (like 1940 and 1951), as well as years with over 15 births (such as 1943, 1946, and 1957). However, starting in the late 1950s and throughout the 1960s and 1970s, there was a consistent increase in the number of Philips born each year. The peak of this period occurred in 1981, with 30 births.
Since then, the popularity of the name Philip has continued to fluctuate. While it did not reach the heights of the late 1970s and early 1980s, there were still years where over 20 Philips were born (such as 1979 and 1980). However, the most recent data point from 1996 shows that the name Philip was given to only 5 babies in that year.
In total, over a span of approximately 120 years, there have been 1137 births with the name Philip in the United States. This illustrates the varied popularity of the name throughout history and serves as an interesting snapshot of naming trends in America during this time period.