Boy Name · Greek Origin
Philip
Philip has earned its place on parents' shortlists the slow way: by sounding right out loud. At its root, Philip means "Lover of horses", an old idea that still resonates with parents looking for substance under the sound. The Greek roots give Philip a cultural lineage that long predates its modern revival. One thing the editorial team specifically noted about Philip is how naturally it sits across formal and casual contexts — resume to nickname.
Philip holds steady in the top 250 of US name rankings, which is to say it's a popular pick that still feels personal. Its trajectory has been steady rather than spiky, which tends to predict longer cultural staying power than a viral spike would. Its sound profile is balanced: vowel-forward enough to feel warm, consonant-anchored enough to feel grounded. If Phillip is already on your list, Philip belongs in the same conversation; the sections below dig into pronunciation, nicknames, and sibling fits.
Philip meaning, origin, and usage
Meaning: Lover of horses
Origin: Greek naming roots help connect Philip to related Greek baby names.
Pronunciation: Baby Name Studio pronounces Philip as P·H·I·L·I·P, with 6 letters and a boy usage profile.
Popularity: According to Baby Name Studio's 2026 tracker, Philip is a popular favorite that still feels personal in the Top 250 tier.
Philip variants, nicknames, middle names, and sibling names
- Variants and spelling ideas: Philipa, Philipe, Philipy, Phili.
- Nicknames: Phi and P.
- Middle names: Pair Philip with a middle name that balances its substantial sound; start with the Philip middle name generator.
- Sibling names: Phillip, Philipp, Philippe, Phillipe, Phillips — full picks on the sibling names for Philip guide for a cohesive sibset.
- Similar names: Looking for names that sound like Philip? Browse our names like Philip guide for phonetic-neighbor picks.
- Explore more: use the Baby Name Explorer, name search, AI name generator, and Baby Name Studio homepage.
Frequently asked about Philip
What does the name Philip mean?
Philip means "Lover of horses" and is of Greek origin.
What is the origin of Philip?
Philip originates in Greek naming tradition.
How do you pronounce Philip?
Philip has 6 letters and is most commonly stressed on the first syllable.
Is Philip a boy's or girl's name?
Philip is primarily used as a boy's name in US records.
How popular is Philip in 2026?
In our 2026 popularity tracker, Philip sits in the Top 250 tier — a popular favorite that still feels personal.
What names are similar to Philip?
Names that share Philip's sound and style include Phillip, Philipp, Philippe, Phillipe, Phillips.
What middle names pair well with Philip?
Good middle-name fits for Philip pair an opposite syllable rhythm: if Philip is short, lean longer (e.g. classical or three-syllable middles); if Philip is longer, a one-syllable middle keeps the full name from feeling heavy.
What are good sibling names for Philip?
Sibling names that pair naturally with Philip share its rhythm without rhyming — Phillip, Philipp, Philippe all sit comfortably alongside it on a shortlist.