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 experienced a significant rise in popularity during the early to mid-20th century, with a notable spike starting around 1935 and peaking in 1947 with over 5000 births each year for several years. This trend continued until the late 1960s, after which there was a steady decline in popularity. Since the early 1990s, Phillip has been among the less popular names, typically ranking low or not even making the top 1000 names list in recent years.