The first name Phillip
A boy’s name from Greek.
Pronounced /ˈfɪlɪp/ 2 syllables Male Also a surname
Meaning and origin
Greek origin
A less common spelling of Philip.
From Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Popularity
Babies registered in England and Wales, 1996–2025
In 2025, 23 boys were named Phillip, making it the 1,226th most popular boys’ name. It peaked in 1996, with 184 births (#180).
Office for National Statistics; years with fewer than three births are not published and show as zero. Compare Phillip with other names.
Popularity in the United States
Babies named Phillip at birth, 1880–2025
In 2025, 425 boys born in the United States were named Phillip, the 651st most popular boys’ name that year. It was used most in 1960, when 6,047 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.
Famous people named Phillip
72 on Wikidata, most written-about first
- Phillip CocuDutch association football player and manager, born 1970
- Phillip SharpAmerican biologist, born 1944
- Phillip HughesAustralian cricketer (1988-2014)
- Phillip NoyceAustralian film director, born 1950
- Phillip PhillipsAmerican singer (born 1990)
- Phillip GriffithsAmerican mathematician (1938-)
- John Phillip LawAmerican film actor (1937-2008)
- Phillip RheeAmerican actor, born 1960
- Phillip Parker KingBritish Royal Navy officer and early explorer of the Australian and Patagonian coasts (179
- Phillip E. JohnsonAmerican legal academic (1940-2019)
- Phillip V. TobiasAnthropologist (1925–2012)
- Phillip GlasserAmerican actor and film producer, born 1978
More Greek boys’ names
Questions
- What does the name Phillip mean?
- A less common spelling of Philip.
- What is the origin of the name Phillip?
- A less common spelling of Philip.
- How popular is the name Phillip?
- In 2025, 23 boys born in England and Wales were named Phillip, ranking 1,226th. Its peak was 1996, with 184 births.
- Is Phillip a boy's or a girl's name?
- Mostly a boy's name: 100% of the 312,891 US babies named Phillip since 1880 were boys.
- When was Phillip most popular?
- 1960 in the United States, when 6,047 babies were named Phillip, its highest rank at 66th.
- How do you pronounce Phillip?
- Phillip is /ˈfɪlɪp/, 2 syllables.
- Is Phillip also a surname?
- Yes. Phillip is used as a surname as well as a first name; its surname page has the origin and how many people carry it.