What does the baby name “Phillip” mean?
Phillip is the double-L spelling of the classic name Philip, rooted in ancient Greek and meaning "lover of horses." It carries a distinguished heritage that stretches from ancient Macedonia to modern households.
Origin of the baby name Phillip
Phillip is an alternate English spelling of Philip, which comes from the Greek name Philippos, composed of "philos" meaning loving or fond of, and "hippos" meaning horse. The name was widespread in the ancient Greek world, carried to lasting fame most prominently by Philip II of Macedon, the father of Alexander the Great. The double-L spelling has been used in English for centuries and has no meaningful difference in origin or pronunciation from the single-L form.
Baby Phillip: The Pioneer →
History of the baby name “Phillip”
Philip has been one of the enduring names of Western history, carried by kings, saints, and apostles across more than two millennia. The apostle Philip is one of the twelve disciples named in the New Testament, giving the name deep Christian significance. Philip II of Spain, Philip IV of France, and numerous other European monarchs kept the name in the royal tradition through the medieval and early modern periods. As Phillip, the double-L spelling gained particular currency in English-speaking countries through the nineteenth and twentieth centuries.
Why parents choose the baby name “Phillip”
Phillip has a confident, well-established quality that many parents find reassuring: it is a name that has worked in every era without ever feeling stiff or outdated. The "Phil" nickname is friendly and unpretentious, while the full Phillip sounds polished and professional. It is the kind of name that wears equally well on a toddler and a CEO, and its long history gives it a sense of quiet authority.
Nicknames for the Baby Name “Phillip”
Phill, Philly, Phillin, Phillkin, Phillster, Phillerino, Phillinator
Nicknames from Around the World for the Baby Name “Phillip”
Terms of endearment for a baby name work differently around the world. Some cultures clip the name short, while others add an affectionate ending that can make it longer instead. Here is how the baby name Phillip might sound as a nickname in a few other languages and dialects.
Australian:
Phillo, Phizza
British:
Phills
German:
Phillipchen
Irish:
Philleen
Italian:
Phillipetto
Spanish:
Phillipito
Variations on the baby name “Phillip”
Philip is the more common single-L spelling in many countries. The Italian and Catalan form is Filippo, the Spanish and Portuguese form is Felipe, and the French form is Philippe. Filip is found in Slavic languages and Scandinavia, while Filips is the Latvian variant. The Hungarian form Fülöp and the Dutch Flip represent further adaptations. Common nicknames include Phil and, less formally, Pip.
Baby names similar to “Phillip”
These baby names share spelling patterns with Phillip and may appeal to parents who love the look and feel of this name.
Baby names that sound like “Phillip”
Baby sibling names for Phillip
Matched by similar popularity, name length, and ending sound. See baby sibling names with numerology compatible with Phillip →
Baby Middle Names for Phillip
Picked for a different ending sound and rhythm than Phillip, so the two names flow well said together as a pair.