Philip is one of the few names in the English language with a genuinely royal, philosophical, and apostolic pedigree all running simultaneously. Philip of Macedon. Philip the Apostle. Philip II of Spain. Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. The name has been carried by powerful figures across 2,500 years, which gives it a gravity that its current rank of #521 doesn't fully reflect.
The Greek Root
Philip derives from the Greek Philippos, from philos (loving) and hippos (horse): literally, "lover of horses." Philip II of Macedon, father of Alexander the Great, is the name's most historically consequential bearer. The name spread through Europe via Christianity (Philip the Apostle was one of the twelve) and has been in continuous use across Western naming traditions ever since. SSA data: 343,458 total bearers, 1953 peak, current rank #521.
Philip vs. Phillip
The double-L spelling Phillip competes with Philip in American usage, and both are correct. Philip is the older, more classical spelling; Phillip is the American popular variant. In British English, Philip is standard (hence Prince Philip); in the U.S. the double-L appears on roughly as many birth certificates. Either works, but Philip has the etymological weight of the original Greek. Compare the two on our comparison tool.
A Name for Naming Traditionalists
Philip is a strong choice for parents who want a name with unimpeachable historical depth but without the current fashion pressure of names like Sebastian or Theodore. It has the apostle, the Macedonian king, and Renaissance popes as reference points. The nickname Phil is friendly and accessible, making the full name a classic formal option that wears well across a lifetime. For Greek-origin names at this rank, Philip remains one of the most complete options available.