Felipe is a name of Spanish origin, derived from the Germanic name "Theophilos," which translates to "lover of God." This name was popularized by several royal figures throughout history, including Felipe II (Philip II), who ruled Spain in the 16th century and was known for his involvement in the Dutch Revolt and the Anglo-Spanish War.
Felipe gained further prominence through Felipe IV, son of Felipe III, who ascended to the throne in 1621. Under his reign, Spanish art flourished with figures such as Diego Velázquez and Francisco de Zurbarán creating their masterpieces during this time period.
The name Felipe has also been used by other notable individuals throughout history. Felipe II of Burgundy played a significant role in European politics during the late Middle Ages. Additionally, Felipe III, Duke of Parma, was an Italian nobleman who served as governor of the Spanish Netherlands from 1596 until his death in 1618.
In more recent times, Prince Felipe of Spain, now King Philip VI since 2014, has kept this royal name alive. Born on January 30, 1968, he is the eldest child of King Juan Carlos I and Queen Sofía.
The statistics show a fluctuating trend for the name Felipe over time. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, there were consistently fewer than 50 births per year. However, starting around 1968, we see a significant increase in popularity, with over 200 births each year from 1968 onwards. The name reached its peak popularity between the late 1970s and early 1990s, with over 500 births per year recorded in several years during this period. Since then, the popularity of the name Felipe has decreased, with fewer than 350 births per year recorded since 2011. In total, there were 31,324 births with the name Felipe between 1880 and 2023.