Phoebe Girl

Popularity: #152 · Trend: ↗ Rising

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: FEE-bee //ˈfiːbi//

Origin: Greek; Latin

Meaning: Bright; shining

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Phoebe has its roots in ancient Greek, derived from the word "phōbē," which means "bright" or "radiant." In Greek mythology, Phoebe was associated with the moon and was one of the Titans, often linked to the concept of light and prophecy. The name entered the Latin language as "Phoebe," maintaining its original meaning, and subsequently made its way into Old French before being adopted into Middle English.

This linguistic journey reflects the cultural exchanges of the ancient Mediterranean and the influence of classical literature on the English language. Historically, Phoebe is notable for its presence in the Christian New Testament, where it appears in the Book of Romans, written by the Apostle Paul in the first century CE.

In Romans 16:1, Phoebe is referred to as a deaconess of the church in Cenchreae, which underscores her significance in early Christian communities. This mention has contributed to the name's enduring legacy within Christian traditions, as it highlights the role of women in the early church.

Culturally, the name Phoebe has been associated with qualities such as brightness and clarity, resonating with its etymological roots. In various literary works, Phoebe has been used as a symbol of light and hope, further embedding the name in cultural consciousness.

The diminutive form "Phebe" has also appeared in literature, notably in Shakespeare's "As You Like It," where it is used to characterize a pastoral figure, enhancing the name's association with nature and beauty. Overall, Phoebe's historical and cultural significance has allowed it to endure through centuries, reflecting the values and beliefs of the societies that embraced it.

Famous people named Phoebe

In this section, you will find notable people named Phoebe. 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 Phoebe who have made a significant impact on popular culture.

We also feature individuals named Phoebe 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.

Phoebe Buffay is a fictional character best known for the television series Friends.

Phoebe Bridgers is a singer-songwriter best known for Stranger in the Alps, Punisher, and her collaborations with Conor Oberst.

Phoebe Cates is an actress best known for Fast Times at Ridgemont High, Gremlins, and Drop Dead Fred.

Phoebe Snow is a singer-songwriter best known for her hit song Poetry Man and her self-titled debut album.

Fictional characters named Phoebe

The following list of fictional characters named Phoebe is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.

You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.

Phoebe Buffay is a fictional character from the TV show Friends. She is a quirky and free-spirited musician known for her eccentric personality and memorable songs.

Sibling suggestions

If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Phoebe, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.

ChloeLilaSophieMayaEllaClara

Similar names

Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Phoebe. 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.

DaphneZoeLydiaNinaCleoIvyMabelRubySadieTessa

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Phoebe was first seen in the United States in 1880.

Phoebe has ranked as high as #361 nationally, which occurred in 2025, and has been most popular in California, New York, Texas, Pennsylvania, and Ohio.

In the past 5 years the name Phoebe has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Phoebe 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 Phoebe was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.

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 Phoebe.

Year Total Births Boy Girl
2025 1,885 0 1,885
2024 1,647 0 1,647
2023 1,591 0 1,591
2022 1,384 0 1,384
2021 1,240 0 1,240
2020 1,181 0 1,181
2019 1,149 0 1,149
2018 1,027 0 1,027
2017 1,021 0 1,021
2016 1,036 0 1,036
2015 1,119 0 1,119
2014 1,104 0 1,104
2013 1,065 0 1,065
2012 1,061 0 1,061
2011 1,023 0 1,023
2010 1,040 0 1,040
2009 1,018 0 1,018
2008 959 0 959
2007 988 0 988
2006 890 0 890
2005 730 0 730
2004 757 5 752
2003 689 0 689
2002 665 0 665
2001 752 0 752
2000 642 0 642
1999 527 0 527
1998 398 0 398
1997 419 0 419
1996 431 0 431
1995 397 0 397
1994 247 0 247
1993 215 0 215
1992 195 0 195
1991 235 0 235
1990 224 0 224
1989 189 0 189
1988 122 0 122
1987 109 0 109
1986 138 0 138
1985 119 0 119
1984 106 0 106
1983 92 0 92
1982 80 0 80
1981 84 0 84
1980 84 0 84
1979 100 0 100
1978 115 0 115
1977 151 0 151
1976 107 0 107
1975 112 0 112
1974 95 0 95
1973 118 0 118
1972 112 0 112
1971 113 0 113
1970 111 0 111
1969 100 0 100
1968 96 0 96
1967 137 0 137
1966 106 0 106
1965 75 0 75
1964 100 0 100
1963 105 0 105
1962 108 0 108
1961 120 0 120
1960 117 0 117
1959 116 0 116
1958 110 0 110
1957 105 0 105
1956 109 0 109
1955 120 0 120
1954 130 0 130
1953 95 0 95
1952 99 0 99
1951 109 0 109
1950 99 0 99
1949 107 0 107
1948 105 0 105
1947 128 0 128
1946 117 0 117
1945 101 0 101
1944 112 0 112
1943 128 0 128
1942 127 0 127
1941 155 0 155
1940 150 0 150
1939 143 0 143
1938 151 0 151
1937 121 0 121
1936 139 0 139
1935 127 0 127
1934 128 0 128
1933 143 0 143
1932 145 0 145
1931 143 0 143
1930 164 0 164
1929 148 0 148
1928 177 0 177
1927 169 0 169
1926 162 0 162
1925 192 0 192
1924 197 0 197
1923 194 0 194
1922 193 0 193
1921 199 0 199
1920 220 0 220
1919 193 0 193
1918 215 0 215
1917 227 0 227
1916 199 0 199
1915 198 0 198
1914 177 0 177
1913 112 0 112
1912 104 0 104
1911 87 0 87
1910 89 0 89
1909 78 0 78
1908 76 0 76
1907 82 0 82
1906 53 0 53
1905 87 0 87
1904 63 0 63
1903 68 0 68
1902 87 0 87
1901 54 0 54
1900 71 0 71
1899 84 0 84
1898 79 0 79
1897 72 0 72
1896 106 0 106
1895 90 0 90
1894 85 0 85
1893 86 0 86
1892 88 0 88
1891 84 0 84
1890 74 0 74
1889 67 0 67
1888 65 0 65
1887 63 0 63
1886 80 0 80
1885 72 0 72
1884 75 0 75
1883 66 0 66
1882 62 0 62
1881 46 0 46
1880 50 0 50

Top States for Phoebe (2024)

We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.

State Births Share
CA 175
11%
TX 109
7%
NY 77
5%
PA 69
4%
MI 60
4%
IL 59
4%
FL 57
4%
OH 56
3%
IN 54
3%
WA 53
3%
TN 50
3%
NC 47
3%
MA 47
3%
CO 45
3%
GA 44
3%
MO 42
3%
UT 38
2%
VA 38
2%
WI 38
2%
AZ 30
2%
MN 28
2%
KS 28
2%
OR 28
2%
MD 27
2%
OK 25
2%
AL 25
2%
NJ 24
1%
KY 23
1%
SC 21
1%
CT 19
1%
AR 18
1%
LA 17
1%
IA 17
1%
ME 15
1%
ID 14
1%
NE 13
1%
WV 12
1%
MT 12
1%
NH 11
1%
DC 11
1%
VT 11
1%
NM 9
1%
NV 8
0%
MS 8
0%
RI 6
0%
DE 5
0%
ND 5
0%