Philip
FIL-ip
Philip comes from the Ancient Greek Philippos, a compound of philos meaning 'loving' or 'friend' and hippos meaning 'horse'. Horses were symbols of power and prestige in the ancient world, so the name carried aristocratic connotations from its earliest use. It was borne by Philip II of Macedon, father of Alexander the Great, and has been used by European royalty ever since, including as the name of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.
At a glance
A distinguished Greek name meaning lover of horses, with over two thousand years of royal and scholarly heritage behind it.
Etymology & History
Philip derives from the ancient Greek name Philippos, a compound of philos, meaning 'loving' or 'fond of', and hippos, meaning 'horse'. In ancient Greek culture, horses were symbols of nobility, wealth, and martial prowess, so the name carried distinctly aristocratic associations from its earliest use. The name entered the Latin world as Philippus and spread through the Roman Empire, eventually becoming embedded in European naming traditions via the Christian scriptures. In the New Testament, Philip is one of the twelve apostles of Jesus, which ensured the name's adoption and persistence across Christian Europe throughout the medieval period. The name was carried into Old French as Philippe and into Middle English as Philip, with the spelling settling into its modern form by the early modern period. Across Europe, regional variants flourished: Felipe in Spanish and Portuguese, Filippo in Italian, Filip in various Slavic and Scandinavian languages, and Philippe in French. In Britain, the name has been in continuous use since at least the Norman Conquest, appearing in records as a given name among clergy, nobles, and commoners alike. The association with Philip II of Macedon, father of Alexander the Great, gave the name an additional layer of historical prestige that appealed to the educated classes throughout the Renaissance and beyond. By the 19th and 20th centuries, Philip had become a firmly established English classic, regularly appearing in the top tiers of boys' names across the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, and North America.
Cultural Significance
Philip carries remarkable cultural weight across both religious and royal traditions. As one of the twelve apostles named in the New Testament, the name has been considered a mark of Christian devotion for nearly two thousand years, appearing in hagiographies, churches, and naming customs across the Catholic and Protestant traditions alike. In the British royal context, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, brought fresh prominence to the name in the 20th century through his decades as consort to Queen Elizabeth II. His long life and unwavering public service made Philip synonymous with duty and resilience for many British families. The name also holds a remarkable geographical legacy: the country of the Philippines was named after King Philip II of Spain in 1543 by Spanish explorer Ruy Lopez de Villalobos, making Philip one of the very few given names to lend itself to a sovereign nation. This fact underlines just how powerful the name's royal and imperial associations have been throughout history. From ancient Macedonia to modern Britain, Philip has remained a name of consequence.
Famous people named Philip
Philip II of Macedon
Ancient Greek king and father of Alexander the Great, who transformed Macedonia into a dominant Greek state in the 4th century BC.
Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh
The husband of Queen Elizabeth II, who served as consort of the British monarch from 1952 until his death in 2021.
Philip Seymour Hoffman
Acclaimed American actor who won an Academy Award for Best Actor for his portrayal of Truman Capote in the 2005 biographical film.
Philip Larkin
One of Britain's greatest twentieth-century poets, known for his wry, melancholic observations of English life.
Philip Pullman
British author celebrated for the His Dark Materials trilogy, one of the most acclaimed fantasy series in English literature.
Frequently Asked Questions
Names like Philip
Felipe
“Lover of horses”
Felipe is the Spanish form of Philip, derived from the Greek name Philippos, which combines 'philein' (to love) with 'hippos' (horse). The name carries powerful royal associations, having been borne by six kings of Spain, including the current monarch King Felipe VI. It is a name that evokes both classical heritage and contemporary elegance, widely used across the Spanish-speaking world and beyond.
Filippo
“Lover of horses; friend of horses”
Filippo is the Italian form of Philip, derived from the Greek 'Philippos,' meaning 'lover of horses.' In the ancient world, horses symbolised wealth, power, and nobility, so the name carried connotations of aristocratic standing. It has been a beloved name in Italy for centuries.
Philibert
“Very bright”
Philibert is a French name of Old Germanic origin, composed of the elements filu meaning very much and beraht meaning bright or shining. The full meaning is therefore exceedingly bright or very brilliant. The name was introduced to France through the Franks and was borne by a 7th-century Gallo-Roman abbot, Saint Philibert of Jumieges, who founded several monasteries and became a significant figure in early French Christianity. The name has an aristocratic, distinguished quality that is distinctly old-world French.
Philippe
“Lover of horses”
Philippe is the French form of Philip, derived from the ancient Greek name Philippos, composed of 'philos' (loving, fond of) and 'hippos' (horse). The compound meaning is therefore lover of horses, a name that carried great prestige in ancient Greece where horsemanship was associated with nobility and military prowess. Philippe was borne by six kings of France and remains one of the most recognisable and distinguished names in French history.
Where you'll find Philip
Philip shows up in these curated collections across Namekin.