Find out how popular the first name Phil has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Phil by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Phil is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 9 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Phil.

The history of the first name Phil

The given name Phil is derived from the ancient Greek name Philos, meaning "beloved" or "dear one." It originated in the region of Ancient Greece, where it was a popular name during the classical period.

The name Philos had its roots in the Greek word "philein," which means "to love." It was a common element in many Greek compound names, such as Philokrates (lover of power) and Philodemos (lover of the people).

One of the earliest recorded references to the name Philos can be found in Homer's epic poem, the Iliad, which dates back to the 8th century BC. In the poem, Philos is mentioned as a warrior who fought alongside the Greeks during the Trojan War.

Throughout ancient Greek history, several notable figures bore the name Philos or its variations. One of the most famous was Philolaus (c. 470-390 BC), a pre-Socratic Greek philosopher and mathematician from Croton, Italy. He was a prominent figure in the Pythagorean school of thought and is credited with introducing the concept of the infinite universe.

Another historical figure with this name was Philopoemen (253-183 BC), a skilled military leader and strategist from ancient Greece. He was a prominent figure in the Achaean League and played a crucial role in defending Greek independence against the growing power of the Roman Empire.

In the Byzantine Empire, the name Philos was often Latinized to Philius or Philias. One notable bearer of this name was Philius of Corycus (c. 475-550 AD), a Byzantine philosopher and theologian who made significant contributions to the study of Aristotelian logic and metaphysics.

During the Renaissance period, the name Philos was revived in various European languages, often taking the form of Phil or Philip. One of the most famous bearers of this name was Philip II of Macedon (382-336 BC), the father of Alexander the Great. He was a skilled military strategist and leader who expanded the Macedonian Empire and laid the foundation for his son's conquests.

Another notable figure with this name was Philip Neri (1515-1595), an Italian priest and the founder of the Congregation of the Oratory. He was known for his charitable works and was canonized as a saint by the Catholic Church in 1622.

As the name spread throughout Europe, it took on various forms and spellings, such as Philippe in French, Felipe in Spanish, and Philipp in German. This diversity of forms reflects the widespread influence and popularity of the name across different cultures and languages.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Phil was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Phil, please contact us.

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