Fun Facts About the Name Phillipa
- 113 babies named Phillipa: U.S. records list 113 babies given the name Phillipa from 1880 through 2025.
What Does the Name Phillipa Mean?
Phillipa is a feminine given name meaning "lover of horses." It comes from the Greek name Philippos (Φίλιππος), a compound of philos ("loving" or "dear") and hippos ("horse"). The masculine English form is Philip; the usual feminine form is Philippa, and Phillipa is a spelling variant. The literal sense of the Greek compound is "horse-loving" or "fond of horses"; "lover of horses" is the customary English rendering.
Phillipa Name History & Origins
Phillipa is a spelling variant of the feminine name Philippa, which comes from the ancient Greek masculine name Philippos (Φίλιππος), formed from philos and hippos. It was borne by King Philip II of Macedon, father of Alexander the Great, and it passed into Latin as Philippus. In Christian Europe, the masculine name became familiar through Saint Philip the Apostle and other early Christians named Philip. The feminine form Philippa developed in medieval Europe, particularly in royal and noble families. Philippa of Hainault, the fourteenth-century queen consort of Edward III of England, is a well-known bearer; Philippa of Lancaster, daughter of John of Gaunt, became queen of Portugal. Phillipa is an English spelling variant of Philippa. It keeps the feminine ending -a but doubles the l, as in the common English spelling Phillip, instead of following the one-l, double-p pattern of Philippa. The two spellings refer to the same name; Phillipa does not have a separate origin.
How Popular is the Name Phillipa?
Phillipa has historically been an exceptionally rare given name in the United States, remaining well outside the national mainstream. It saw its highest recorded annual births in 2011. Its best rank was #4,792 in 1939.
U.S. name popularity from 1880-2025, based on SSA data. Rank shows how the name compares with other names - lower numbers mean greater popularity. Births shows how many babies received the name each year.
| Year | Rank | Births | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | #16,683 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 2021 | #17,081 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 2019 | #15,150 | 6 | 0.0004% |
| 2014 | #16,070 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 2012 | #12,009 | 9 | 0.0005% |
| 2011 | #10,993 | 10 | 0.0006% |
| 1990 | #14,592 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1987 | #10,864 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 1964 | #7,529 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1962 | #7,317 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1960 | #7,072 | 5 | 0.0002% |
| 1959 | #6,054 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 1953 | #6,316 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1952 | #4,823 | 7 | 0.0004% |
| 1949 | #5,113 | 6 | 0.0004% |
| 1947 | #5,153 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 1939 | #4,792 | 5 | 0.0005% |
| 1924 | #4,923 | 6 | 0.0005% |
| 1917 | #5,169 | 5 | 0.0005% |
Name popularity over more than a century, based on Social Security Administration data. Gaps in the chart indicate years when the name does not appear in the published records.
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How the Name Phillipa Shapes Your Personality and Life?
You have a power of expression, either in speaking or writing. You are in favor for studying and research. You are clever, clear-sighted and intellectual. You don't like to let others know your true feelings. You might be atheistic or agnostic. You are intuitive and might be interested in the arts, drama or science.
You are always looking for an opportunity to achieve financial and emotional security. You are basically peacemaker. You understand the law of harmony and desire to balance your life with those around you. You may feel incomplete without someone to share your love, ideals, wealth or work. You can be very sensitive and could appear a bit shy and perceptive. You have developed intuition, patience and the ability to nurture others. You can achieve the state of happiness if you are willing to accept your needs in a complimentary relationship and go to create them.
✦ Phillipa's Deeper Meaning & Tips for Parents Discover Phillipa's symbolic numbers and practical tips for choosing a name that complements your child's birth date.