Phillips Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
The name Phillips originates from the Greek name Philippos, meaning 'lover of horses.' It has evolved through various historical forms, including Latin and English versions. The name is connected to biblical roots through Saint Philip, enhancing its significance. Today, Phillips is viewed as a classic and noble surname, with notable individuals bearing the name.
The name Phillips is most popular in Massachusetts, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Boy name among the G.I. Generation generation in the Northeast region. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, Phillips has been stalled for male in Northeast. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for male in Northeast. Across generations, 'Phillips' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 1962nd out of 7545 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 1757th out of 6773 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 1950th out of 7552 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 3430th out of 10718 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 4053rd out of 16616 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 10865th out of 24088 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 14258th out of 23106 names. Discover how the name 'Phillips' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Phillips"
Pronunciation
/ˈfɪlɪps/
Origin
Greek
Etymology
The name Phillips is derived from the Greek name Philippos, which means 'lover of horses.' It is composed of the elements 'philos,' meaning 'loving' or 'friend,' and 'hippos,' meaning 'horse.'
Meaning
lover of horses
Language Evolution
Philippos (Greek), Philippus (Latin), Phillips (English)
Biblical Background
The name is associated with Saint Philip, one of the twelve apostles of Jesus, which adds a religious significance to its usage.
Historical Usage
Phillips gained popularity in England during the Middle Ages, particularly after the Norman Conquest when many Latinized versions of names entered the English language.
Variants & Derivatives
Philip, Phil, Filip
Modern Popularity & Image
Currently, Phillips is perceived as a classic surname with a strong historical resonance. It is often associated with intelligence and nobility.
Famous People
Philip Phillips - American singer-songwriter, Phillips Brooks - American Episcopal bishop and preacher, Phillips Oppenheim - British novelist
Explore More Phillips Name Visualizations
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Phillips"
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History of "Phillips"
"Phillips" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 1962nd of 7545 | 261 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 1757th of 6773 | 307 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 1950th of 7552 | 318 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 3430th of 10718 | 143 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 4053rd of 16616 | 198 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 10865th of 24088 | 72 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 14258th of 23106 | 32 |
Regional Popularity of "Phillips" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- |
91.44% 1261st/1379 |
- | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
Regional Popularity of "Phillips" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
State-by-State Popularity of "Phillips"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Phillips" across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.