Phillip is the double-L variant of Philip, from Greek Philippos meaning "lover of horses" — one of the oldest names in Western history. At rank 2547 with 36 registry appearances, this is almost certainly a data artifact: Phillip is a very common human name, and its appearance in pet databases at this tier likely reflects administrative migration from owner records rather than a deliberate pet-naming choice.
When Common Names Surface in Pet Data
Phillip follows the same pattern as Joseph and Matt at adjacent ranks — very common human names that appear in pet registries primarily through paperwork rather than intentional naming. The frequency is too low and the name too common as a human name to read otherwise.
The Actual Etymology
"Lover of horses" is a genuinely appealing meaning for an animal name — particularly for large, powerful dogs or, obviously, actual horses. The human name Phillip carries this etymology, and owners who know it sometimes choose Philip or Phillip for their pets for exactly this reason.
The Counter-Reading: Formal to a Fault
A dog named Phillip is formally funny in the same way as Joseph or Richard. The extreme plainness of a standard human name on a pet creates its own dry humor. Owners who choose this deliberately tend to carry it with a straight face, which is the correct approach.