Phebe
Phebe is a girl's name of Greek origin.
Meaning
Bright, pure, or radiant.
Origin and history
Phebe is a classic variant spelling of the Greek name Phoebe. Derived from the Greek word phoibos, it carries the meaning of bright or pure. Though less common than the Phoebe spelling in modern U.S. usage, it maintains a steady historic presence.
Popularity in the United States
2,958 babies in the United States have been named Phebe since 1880. It ranks #3257 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1940.
States where it is most popular
- NY (36.4 %)
- CA (22.2 %)
- PA (10.1 %)
- NC (6.1 %)
- FL (5.1 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 201 |
| 1890-1900 | 181 |
| 1900-1910 | 127 |
| 1910-1920 | 244 |
| 1920-1930 | 238 |
| 1930-1940 | 191 |
| 1940-1950 | 189 |
| 1950-1960 | 132 |
| 1960-1970 | 147 |
| 1970-1980 | 167 |
| 1980-1990 | 139 |
| 1990-2000 | 169 |
| 2000-2010 | 324 |
| 2010-2019 | 348 |
| 2020-2029 | 161 |
Famous people named Phebe
- Phebe Novakovic: Business Executive, Intelligence Officer
Nicknames
Phebes, Bee
Fun facts
- The spelling Phebe appears in the King James Bible to designate a deaconess praised by the Apostle Paul.
- It shares its root with Phoebus, an epithet of the Greek sun god Apollo.