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Name Lineage

    The first name Phil

    A boy’s name.

    Pronounced /fɪl/ 1 syllable Male

    Meaning and origin

    Shortened from Philip, from Ancient Greek Φίλιππος (Phílippos), which see for more information.

    Phil is a short form of

    .

    From Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0).

    Popularity

    Babies registered in England and Wales, 1996–2025

    Phil last appeared in the official list in 2023, given to 4 boys. It peaked in 2007, with 8 births (#2,211).

    0510 1996200020052010201520202025
    66
    babies named Phil, 1996–2025
    #4,107
    rank in 2023
    2007
    peak year

    Office for National Statistics; years with fewer than three births are not published and show as zero. Compare Phil with other names.

    Popularity in the United States

    Babies named Phil at birth, 1880–2025

    In 2025, 10 boys born in the United States were named Phil, the 8,078th most popular boys’ name that year. It was used most in 1959, when 677 were.

    0350700 188018851890189519001905191019151920192519301935194019451950195519601965197019751980198519901995200020052010201520202025
    20,108
    babies named Phil since 1880
    #8,078
    rank in 2025
    1959
    peak year

    US Social Security Administration, from applications for a Social Security card. A name is only published for a year when at least five babies were given it, so quieter years show as zero.

    Nicknames and spellings

    Other spellings and forms

    • Phill

    Famous people named Phil

    134 on Wikidata, most written-about first

    • Phil Foden
      English footballer (born 2000)
    • Phil Jones
      English association football player, born 1992
    • Phil Jagielka
      English association football player, born 1982
    • Phil Hill
      American racing driver (1927–2008)
    • Phil Neville
      English association football player and manager (born 1977)
    • Phil Jackson
      American basketball player, coach and executive, born 1945
    • Phil LaMarr
      American actor, born 1967
    • Phil McGraw
      American television personality (born 1950)
    • Phil Hartman
      Canadian-American actor, comedian, screenwriter (1948-1998)
    • Phil Ochs
      American protest singer and songwriter (1940-1976)
    • Phil Bardsley
      Association football player (born 1985)
    • Phil Rudd
      Australian drummer, born 1954

    Questions

    What does the name Phil mean?
    Shortened from Philip, from Ancient Greek Φίλιππος (Phílippos), which see for more information.
    How popular is the name Phil?
    In 2023, 4 boys born in England and Wales were named Phil, ranking 4,107th. Its peak was 2007, with 8 births.
    Is Phil a boy's or a girl's name?
    Mostly a boy's name: 100% of the 20,108 US babies named Phil since 1880 were boys.
    When was Phil most popular?
    1959 in the United States, when 677 babies were named Phil, its highest rank at 300th.
    How do you pronounce Phil?
    Phil is /fɪl/, one syllable.
    What are other spellings of Phil?
    Phill.