Pippa Girl
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: PIP-uh //ˈpɪpə//
Origin: English; Italian
Meaning: English: lover of horses; Italian: variation of Philippa
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Pippa is of Italian origin, derived from the name Philippa, which itself comes from the Greek name Philippos, meaning "lover of horses" (from "philos" meaning "loving" and "hippos" meaning "horse"). The name Philip was borne by several notable historical figures, including Philip II of Macedon, the father of Alexander the Great, and later became popular in various forms across Europe, especially during the Middle Ages.
The diminutive form Pippa emerged as a charming and informal variant of Philippa, particularly in Italy and England. Philippa gained prominence in England during the medieval period, especially after the introduction of the name through the marriage of Philippa of Hainault to King Edward III in the 14th century.
This royal connection helped solidify the name's status within English nobility and its subsequent use among the general populace. The name Philippa was also popularized through various saints, including Saint Philippa, who is venerated in the Christian tradition.
The name's association with nobility and piety contributed to its endurance through the centuries. Culturally, Pippa has been embraced in literature and the arts, often symbolizing charm and vivacity.
The name appears in various literary works, including the poem "Pippa Passes" by Robert Browning, published in the 19th century, which further cemented its place in cultural history. The name's light and playful sound has allowed it to maintain a certain appeal, often associated with youthful exuberance and grace.
Overall, Pippa reflects a rich tapestry of historical significance and cultural resonance, rooted in its etymological origins and historical milestones.
Famous people named Pippa
In this section, you will find notable people named Pippa. 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 Pippa who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Pippa 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.
Pippa Middleton is a socialite and author best known for being the sister of Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, and for her book Celebrate: A Year of Festivities for Families and Friends.
Fictional characters named Pippa
The following list of fictional characters named Pippa 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.
Pippa is a fictional character from the novel Pippa Passes by Robert Browning. She is the central figure in the poem, representing innocence and the pursuit of happiness.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Pippa, 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 Pippa. 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 Pippa was first seen in the United States in 1957.
Pippa has ranked as high as #1275 nationally, which occurred in 2014, and has been most popular in California, Texas, Pennsylvania, New York, and Ohio.
In the past 5 years the name Pippa has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Pippa 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 Pippa was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Pippa (2024)
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.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| CA | 5 | |
| TX | 5 |
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 Pippa.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 73 |
| 2023 | 71 |
| 2022 | 103 |
| 2021 | 115 |
| 2020 | 92 |
| 2019 | 108 |
| 2018 | 96 |
| 2017 | 114 |
| 2016 | 101 |
| 2015 | 94 |
| 2014 | 120 |
| 2013 | 80 |
| 2012 | 107 |
| 2011 | 70 |
| 2010 | 16 |
| 2009 | 21 |
| 2008 | 18 |
| 2007 | 14 |
| 2006 | 25 |
| 2005 | 10 |
| 2004 | 8 |
| 2003 | 10 |
| 1999 | 5 |
| 1974 | 7 |
| 1972 | 7 |
| 1971 | 5 |
| 1969 | 5 |
| 1968 | 9 |
| 1967 | 9 |
| 1966 | 19 |
| 1965 | 25 |
| 1964 | 9 |
| 1963 | 9 |
| 1962 | 9 |
| 1961 | 5 |
| 1957 | 5 |