Phil
Phil is a boy's name of Greek origin.
Meaning
Lover or friend; often a diminutive of Philip ('lover of horses').
Origin and history
Phil is a classic English name derived from Greek roots meaning 'friend' or 'lover'. It historically originated as a short form for names like Philip or Phillip, but it has a long record of independent use in the United States. While very popular in the mid-20th century, it is now given less frequently to U.S. newborns.
Popularity in the United States
20,036 babies in the United States have been named Phil since 1880. It ranks #839 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1875.
States where it is most popular
- CA (13.5 %)
- TX (7.7 %)
- IL (6.3 %)
- NY (6.2 %)
- OH (5.9 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 169 |
| 1890-1900 | 179 |
| 1900-1910 | 218 |
| 1910-1920 | 938 |
| 1920-1930 | 1,506 |
| 1930-1940 | 2,571 |
| 1940-1950 | 4,575 |
| 1950-1960 | 3,777 |
| 1960-1970 | 4,053 |
| 1970-1980 | 889 |
| 1980-1990 | 457 |
| 1990-2000 | 315 |
| 2000-2010 | 198 |
| 2010-2019 | 139 |
| 2020-2029 | 52 |
Famous people named Phil
- Phil Jackson: Basketball Coach, Basketball Player
- Phil Mickelson: Golfer
- Phil Collins: Musician, Singer
Fun facts
- Phil developed primarily as an abbreviated form of Philip, which comes from the Greek name Philippos.
- Phil was a steady favorite in the U.S. top 500 male names during much of the 20th century.