Pheobe is a name of Greek origin, derived from the word 'phoibe,' which means 'radiant' or 'bright.' It was borne by a Phoenician princess in Greek mythology who became the queen of Tyre. The name has been used in literature and popular culture, most notably as the character Phoebe Buffay in the TV series Friends. Pheobe is often associated with the phrase 'Welcome home,' attributed to the song 'Syrup & Honey' by Rickie Lee Jones.
The name Phoebe experienced fluctuations in popularity over the years, with a notable peak occurring around the mid-20th century. From 1950 to 1965, there were consistently between five and nine births per year for the name Phoebe. The highest number of births recorded in any single year was 35 in 2008, but since then, the popularity has dipped significantly with only 14 births recorded in 2023. Overall, between 1882 and 2023, there were a total of 1107 births registered as Phoebe.