Phillip is a name of Greek origin, meaning "lover of horses". It is derived from the Greek word "philios", which means "loving", and "hippos", meaning "horse". The name Phillip has been popular throughout history, with notable bearers including Philip II of Macedon, the father of Alexander the Great, and Saint Philip, one of the twelve apostles of Jesus Christ.
The name Phillip first appeared in England during the Norman Conquest in 1066, when William the Conqueror invaded from Normandy. The Normans brought with them many French names, including Phillip, which was derived from the Old French name Philippe. Over time, the name evolved into its current form in English-speaking countries.
Phillip has been a popular name throughout history and continues to be so today. According to data from the Social Security Administration in the United States, Phillip ranked among the top 1000 most popular boys' names every year between 1900 and 2019. In fact, it peaked at number 178 in popularity during the years 1960-1969.
Some famous people named Phillip include Phillip II of Spain, who ruled from 1556 to 1598; Sir Philip Sidney, an English poet and courtier during the Elizabethan era; and Phillip Schofield, a British television presenter known for hosting shows such as This Morning and Dancing on Ice.
The name Phillip has been popular among parents in the United States for over a century, with its usage peaking at different times throughout history. From 1880 to 1957, there was an overall upward trend in the number of babies named Phillip each year, reaching a peak of 6,042 births in 1960.
However, starting from 1963, there began a steady decline in the popularity of the name Phillip. By 1985, only about half as many babies were named Phillip compared to its peak in 1960. This downward trend continued throughout the latter part of the 20th century and into the early 21st century.
In recent years, there has been a slight increase in the number of babies named Phillip. For instance, in 2022, there were 449 births with the name Phillip, which is higher than the 357 births recorded in 2018. However, overall, Phillip remains much less popular today compared to its peak years during the mid-20th century.
Over time, a total of 310,660 babies have been named Phillip in the United States since reliable records began being kept. Despite fluctuations in popularity over time, Phillip continues to be a name with historical significance and enduring appeal for some parents.