Phillippa Girl
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: fi-LIP-uh //fɪˈlɪpə//
Origin: Greek; Latin
Meaning: Greek: lover of horses; Latin: friend of horses
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Phillippa is derived from the Greek name "Philippos," which translates to "lover of horses" (from "philos," meaning "loving," and "hippos," meaning "horse"). This name was adopted into Latin as "Philippa," and subsequently made its way into Old French as "Philippe," before evolving into its current form in English.
The transition into English occurred during the Norman Conquest in the 11th century, when many Old French names were introduced into the English language, particularly among the nobility and the upper classes. Historically, the name has been borne by several notable figures, including Saint Philippa, a 4th-century Christian martyr, and Queen Philippa of Hainault, the wife of King Edward III of England, who reigned in the 14th century.
Queen Philippa was known for her charitable works and played a significant role in the political landscape of her time, which helped to solidify the name's presence in English history. Additionally, the name appears in various historical texts and documents, contributing to its recognition and use throughout the centuries.
Culturally, the name Phillippa has been associated with strength and nobility, reflecting the qualities of its historical bearers. The name has also inspired various diminutive forms, such as Pippa, which has gained some recognition in its own right.
The enduring nature of Phillippa can be attributed to its royal connections and the positive attributes associated with its meaning, ensuring its place in the lexicon of names used throughout English-speaking cultures.
Famous people named Phillippa
In this section, you will find notable people named Phillippa. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Phillippa who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Phillippa who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.
Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.
Phillippa Soo is an actress and singer best known for Hamilton, Amélie, and The Parisian Woman.
Phillippa Gregory is an author best known for The Other Boleyn Girl, The Constant Princess, and The Queen's Fool.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Phillippa, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
Similar names
Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Phillippa. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Phillippa was first seen in the United States in 1917.
Phillippa has ranked as high as #1134 nationally, which occurred in 1960, and has been most popular in .
In the past 5 years the name Phillippa has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Phillippa is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Phillippa was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Phillippa
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. In some cases, you may see four or five states listed. However, we only display states where the name represents a significant percentage of births, so the number of states shown can range from one to several.
No state data available for this year.
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Phillippa.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2016 | 5 |
| 1986 | 6 |
| 1961 | 5 |
| 1960 | 12 |
| 1958 | 6 |
| 1957 | 5 |
| 1956 | 5 |
| 1936 | 5 |
| 1927 | 5 |
| 1918 | 7 |
| 1917 | 5 |