Philip is a name of Greek origin that means "lover of horses." It is derived from the Greek word philippos, which consists of the elements philos meaning "loving" and hippos meaning "horse." Philip was a popular name among the ancient Greeks and has been used by several notable figures throughout history.
The most famous bearer of the name Philip is undoubtedly Philip II of Macedon, who ruled from 359 to 336 BCE. He was the father of Alexander the Great and played a significant role in shaping the ancient world. Other notable Philips include Philip the Apostle, one of the twelve disciples of Jesus Christ, and Philip II of Spain, who reigned from 1556 to 1598.
The name Philip has been used by many different cultures throughout history and has appeared in various forms, such as Philippus (Latin), Philippe (French), Filippo (Italian), Felipe (Spanish), and Feliphe (Portuguese). Today, Philip remains a popular given name for boys around the world. Its variants include Phillip, Felipe, and Philippos.
In literature, Philip is the title character of Charlotte Bronte's novel "Jane Eyre," while in music, Philip Glass is an influential American composer known for his minimalist style. In recent years, Philip has also gained popularity as a name for dogs, with celebrities such as David Beckham and his wife Victoria choosing it for their pets.
Overall, the name Philip offers a blend of history, culture, and versatility that makes it appealing to parents looking for a strong and timeless name for their sons.
The name Philip had a notable increase in popularity over the years, with a significant jump around the early 20th century. From 1907 onwards, there was a consistent rise in the number of births named Philip, reaching a peak in the late 1950s to early 1960s with over 6000 births per year. However, since the mid-1960s, there has been a steady decline, with only around 600-700 births named Philip annually by the end of the 20th century and the beginning of the 21st century. As of 2023, the name Philip is used in about 605 births per year.