Fun Facts About the Name Philo
- 389 babies named Philo: U.S. records list 389 babies given the name Philo from 1880 through 2025.
What Does the Name Philo Mean?
Philo is a masculine name of Greek origin, from the ancient Greek personal name Philōn (Φίλων). It comes from the Greek word philos (φίλος), meaning "dear," "beloved," or "friend," which is related to the verb phileō (φιλέω), "to love" or "to hold dear." In Greek, philos covers the affection of friendship and close family fondness rather than romantic passion (erōs) or selfless love (agapē); the same root gives philosophia, "love of wisdom." Philōn can also be understood as a shortened form of longer Greek compound names beginning in Philo-, such as Philostratos or Philotheos, but it stands on its own as an independent Greek given name as well.
Philo Name History & Origins
Philo is found as a personal name in the Greek-speaking world from the Hellenistic period onward. Its best-known ancient bearer is Philo of Alexandria (about 20 BCE - 50 CE), a Jewish writer who composed in Greek and read the Hebrew Bible through the lens of Greek philosophy; his treatises survived mainly because Christian authors copied and quoted them. An earlier namesake, Philo of Byzantium, was a Greek engineer and author on mechanics in the 3rd century BCE. The name also appears among Jews of the Greek diaspora, where Greek personal names were used alongside Hebrew ones.
In the English-speaking world, Philo has been used as a given name but has never been widespread; it reads as a learned or traditional choice rather than a common one. Notable bearers include the American inventor Philo Farnsworth (1906 - 1971), a pioneer of electronic television. The name also belongs to the gentleman-detective Philo Vance, created by the American writer S. S. Van Dine in the 1920s, a fictional use that is separate from the name's ancient history.
How Popular is the Name Philo?
Philo recorded its highest annual U.S. birth count in 2018. Its best rank was #974 in 1881.
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 | #11,663 | 6 | 0.0004% |
| 2024 | #8,141 | 10 | 0.0006% |
| 2023 | #7,619 | 11 | 0.0006% |
| 2022 | #8,808 | 9 | 0.0005% |
| 2021 | #8,661 | 9 | 0.0005% |
| 2020 | #9,328 | 8 | 0.0005% |
| 2019 | #8,057 | 10 | 0.0006% |
| 2018 | #6,610 | 13 | 0.0007% |
| 2017 | #7,001 | 12 | 0.0006% |
| 2016 | #7,482 | 11 | 0.0006% |
| 2015 | #11,734 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 2014 | #8,621 | 9 | 0.0005% |
| 2013 | #9,440 | 8 | 0.0004% |
| 2011 | #13,814 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 2010 | #11,821 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 2005 | #12,859 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 2003 | #10,526 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 1975 | #6,078 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1958 | #4,359 | 5 | 0.0002% |
| 1957 | #3,879 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 1955 | #3,788 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 1951 | #3,287 | 7 | 0.0004% |
| 1949 | #3,227 | 7 | 0.0004% |
| 1943 | #2,694 | 9 | 0.0006% |
| 1940 | #3,821 | 5 | 0.0004% |
| 1938 | #3,097 | 7 | 0.0006% |
| 1936 | #2,265 | 11 | 0.0011% |
| 1935 | #2,672 | 9 | 0.0009% |
| 1934 | #4,093 | 5 | 0.0005% |
| 1933 | #3,213 | 7 | 0.0007% |
| 1932 | #3,680 | 6 | 0.0006% |
| 1930 | #2,743 | 10 | 0.0009% |
| 1929 | #4,414 | 5 | 0.0005% |
| 1928 | #3,628 | 7 | 0.0006% |
| 1927 | #3,703 | 7 | 0.0006% |
| 1926 | #3,629 | 7 | 0.0006% |
| 1925 | #3,089 | 9 | 0.0008% |
| 1924 | #3,199 | 9 | 0.0008% |
| 1922 | #3,188 | 9 | 0.0008% |
| 1921 | #2,936 | 10 | 0.0009% |
| 1920 | #3,744 | 7 | 0.0007% |
| 1919 | #4,652 | 5 | 0.0005% |
| 1918 | #2,663 | 11 | 0.0011% |
| 1917 | #2,897 | 9 | 0.0010% |
| 1916 | #2,689 | 10 | 0.0011% |
| 1915 | #2,772 | 9 | 0.0011% |
| 1914 | #3,178 | 6 | 0.0009% |
| 1912 | #2,824 | 5 | 0.0012% |
| 1889 | #1,079 | 5 | 0.0045% |
| 1881 | #974 | 5 | 0.0050% |
| 1880 | #1,029 | 5 | 0.0045% |
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 Philo 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 find the best contentment in life when you own your own home and provide well for your family and loved ones. You have a great sense of responsibility and duty. You are comforting, appreciative and affectionate. Your obligation in life is to hold justice and truth, and if you follow the Law, you can find the great happiness and satisfaction.
✦ Philo's Deeper Meaning & Tips for Parents Discover Philo's symbolic numbers and practical tips for choosing a name that complements your child's birth date.