The first name Philippa
A girl’s name from Greek.
Pronounced /ˈfɪ.lɪ.pə/ 3 syllables Female
Meaning and origin
Greek origin
A Latinate feminine form of Philip, recorded in medieval England, but originally pronounced like the masculine form.
From Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Popularity
Babies registered in England and Wales, 1996–2025
In 2025, 128 girls were named Philippa, making it the 337th most popular girls’ name. It peaked in 1996, with 289 births (#150).
Office for National Statistics; years with fewer than three births are not published and show as zero. Compare Philippa with other names.
Popularity in the United States
Babies named Philippa at birth, 1880–2025
In 2025, 61 girls born in the United States were named Philippa, the 2,808th most popular girls’ name that year. It was used most in 2022, when 75 were.
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.
Philippa in other languages
Equivalent forms of the name, from Wiktionary
Spelled Philippa in French too.
Nicknames and spellings
Famous people named Philippa
13 on Wikidata, most written-about first
- Philippa FootEnglish philosopher (1920–2010)
- Philippa GregoryEnglish novelist, born 1954
- Philippa, Countess of ToulouseDuchess of Aquitaine, died 1118
- Philippa FawcettEnglish mathematician (1868–1948)
- Philippa, 5th Countess of UlsterEnglish countess (1355-1382)
- Philippa PearceEnglish children's writer (1920–2006)
- Philippa CoulthardAustralian actress, born 1992
- Philippa of LuxembourgCountess consort of Holland, Zeeland, and Hainaut, 1252–1311
- Philippa SchuylerAmerican pianist and composer (1931–1967)
- Philippa de CoucyEnglish courtier, 1367–1411
- Philippa LowthorpeEnglish film director, born 1961
- Gwendoline ChristieBritish actress (born 1978)
More Greek girls’ names
Questions
- What does the name Philippa mean?
- A Latinate feminine form of Philip, recorded in medieval England, but originally pronounced like the masculine form.
- What is the origin of the name Philippa?
- A Latinate feminine form of Philip, recorded in medieval England, but originally pronounced like the masculine form.
- How popular is the name Philippa?
- In 2025, 128 girls born in England and Wales were named Philippa, ranking 337th. Its peak was 1996, with 289 births.
- What are nicknames for Philippa?
- Common nicknames for Philippa include Phil, Philly, Pippa.
- Is Philippa a boy's or a girl's name?
- Mostly a girl's name: 100% of the 1,815 US babies named Philippa since 1880 were girls.
- When was Philippa most popular?
- 2022 in the United States, when 75 babies were named Philippa, its highest rank at 2,442nd.
- How do you pronounce Philippa?
- Philippa is /ˈfɪ.lɪ.pə/, 3 syllables.