Philip
Say it: FIL-ip/ˈfɪlɪp/
BoyMeans fond of horses6 letters2 syllables
#309
in Ireland (2025)
#298 with spellings combined
14
babies in 2025
#30
best rank (1978)
8,816
babies since 1964
Down 137
10-year rank change
Philip through the years
Compare with another name →Show the numbers
| Year | Babies (boys) | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 14 | #298 |
| 2024 | 12 | #317 |
| 2023 | 14 | #294 |
| 2022 | 19 | #242 |
| 2021 | 23 | #213 |
| 2020 | 26 | #194 |
| 2019 | 24 | #214 |
| 2018 | 30 | #186 |
| 2017 | 37 | #162 |
| 2016 | 39 | #159 |
| 2015 | 39 | #161 |
| 2014 | 45 | #147 |
| 2013 | 43 | #147 |
| 2012 | 51 | #141 |
| 2011 | 35 | #187 |
| 2010 | 47 | #152 |
| 2009 | 48 | #140 |
| 2008 | 59 | #126 |
| 2007 | 51 | #129 |
| 2006 | 61 | #101 |
| 2005 | 42 | #129 |
| 2004 | 41 | #125 |
| 2003 | 45 | #112 |
| 2002 | 38 | #119 |
| 2001 | 52 | #97 |
| 2000 | 75 | #74 |
| 1999 | 73 | #78 |
| 1998 | 49 | #87 |
| 1997 | 110 | #68 |
| 1996 | 110 | #64 |
| 1995 | 146 | #52 |
| 1994 | 143 | #52 |
| 1993 | 153 | #50 |
| 1992 | 169 | #49 |
| 1991 | 189 | #42 |
| 1990 | 202 | #42 |
| 1989 | 219 | #36 |
| 1988 | 193 | #41 |
| 1987 | 244 | #38 |
| 1986 | 247 | #39 |
| 1985 | 244 | #39 |
| 1984 | 250 | #43 |
| 1983 | 272 | #38 |
| 1982 | 289 | #39 |
| 1981 | 291 | #38 |
| 1980 | 336 | #36 |
| 1979 | 289 | #33 |
| 1978 | 314 | #30 |
| 1977 | 266 | #36 |
| 1976 | 252 | #40 |
| 1975 | 259 | #37 |
| 1974 | 242 | #42 |
| 1973 | 247 | #40 |
| 1972 | 237 | #42 |
| 1971 | 272 | #33 |
| 1970 | 206 | #41 |
| 1969 | 212 | #37 |
| 1968 | 248 | #33 |
| 1967 | 222 | #35 |
| 1966 | 222 | #34 |
| 1965 | 202 | #37 |
| 1964 | 187 | #36 |
Source: CSO, Irish Babies' Names (VSA50, VSA60), CC BY 4.0.
★ What does Philip mean?
Fond of horses
Greek Philippos, from philein (to love) and hippos (horse).
Say it right
FILip
The story of Philip
Philip comes from the Greek Philippos, meaning fond of horses, from philein, to love, and hippos, a horse. It was a royal name in ancient Macedonia, carried by the father of Alexander the Great.
The name spread through Christianity. Philip was one of the twelve apostles, and another Philip was one of the first seven deacons of the early Church. It was later a name of kings in France and Spain. Phillip, with two Ls, began as a misspelling and is counted separately by the CSO.
Philip was a steady Irish boys’ name from the 1960s to the 1990s. It reached number 30 in 1978, and its busiest year was 1980, with 336 boys. In Northern Ireland its best rank was number 51 in 1997. It is much less common now, and 14 boys were named Philip in 2025.
Say it differently where you're from, or spotted something wrong? Tell us.
Sources
- Wiktionary: Philip (English proper noun)
- CSO VSA50, Boys Names in Ireland with 3 or More Occurrences
- NISRA, First Forenames Given to Babies Registered in Northern Ireland
At a glance
Similar names
Sibling ideas
Nicknames
PhilPip
Spellings counted here
| Spelling | 2025 | All years |
|---|---|---|
| Philip | 14 | 8,816 |
In Northern Ireland
Not in the 2025 list. Best rank #51 (1997); 429 babies since 1997.
Source: NISRA, Open Government Licence.