Phoebe
Phoebe is a girl's name of Greek origin.
Meaning
Bright, pure, or radiant.
Origin and history
Phoebe is a classic female name of Ancient Greek origin, meaning 'bright' or 'radiant'. In Greek mythology, Phoebe was a Titan associated with the moon and prophecy. The name has seen a strong resurgence in the United States in recent decades, rising comfortably into the top 200 ranked female names.
Popularity in the United States
43,658 babies in the United States have been named Phoebe since 1880. It ranks #653 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #197.
States where it is most popular
- CA (13.3 %)
- NY (9.2 %)
- TX (7 %)
- PA (5.3 %)
- OH (4.2 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 646 |
| 1890-1900 | 848 |
| 1900-1910 | 719 |
| 1910-1920 | 1,601 |
| 1920-1930 | 1,851 |
| 1930-1940 | 1,404 |
| 1940-1950 | 1,230 |
| 1950-1960 | 1,092 |
| 1960-1970 | 1,064 |
| 1970-1980 | 1,134 |
| 1980-1990 | 1,123 |
| 1990-2000 | 3,288 |
| 2000-2010 | 8,085 |
| 2010-2019 | 10,645 |
| 2020-2029 | 8,928 |
Famous people named Phoebe
- Phoebe Bridgers: Singer, Songwriter
- Phoebe Waller-Bridge: Actress, Writer
- Phoebe Tonkin: Actress, Model
Nicknames
Phoebs, Phee
Fun facts
- In Greek mythology, Phoebe was a Titan goddess associated with the moon and grandmother to Apollo and Artemis.
- Phoebe is the name of one of Saturn's outermost moons, discovered in 1899.
- The name enjoyed widespread modern recognition through the character Phoebe Buffay on the television show Friends.