Boy New Testament Known
Philip
warlike; a lover of horses
Φίλιππος Philippos
Philip (Greek: Φίλιππος, Philippos) means “warlike; a lover of horses”, by traditional interpretation. Five men in scripture bear the name; the best attested belongs to the Gospels period. In 2025 it was given to 568 children in the United States, ranking 527. Around 345,173 Americans have been given it since 1880. Appears with Alphaeus in Acts 1.
Which Philip?
Five men in scripture bear this name. Here is each of them.
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Philip
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Philip
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Philip
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Philip
sibling of Philip
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Philip
son of Herod
Scripture against society
The two measures, side by side
At a glance
- Verses
- 35 across 5 books
- Bearers
- 5 distinct people in scripture
- Testament
- New
- Era
- Gospels
The same name elsewhere
| Country | Form | Standing | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | Philip | rank 527 · 568 in 2025 | Births in year |
| Argentina | FELIPE | 80,943 registrations | Births in year |
| Brazil | FILIPE | 61,732 bearers · born 1930–2010 | Living residents |
| Spain | FELIPE | 37,771 bearers · mean age 54.6 | Living residents |
| Portugal | Filipe | permitted | IRN approved list |
Two different questions are shown here. Rows marked births in year count children registered during a period; rows marked living residents count people of every age alive at a census. They answer different questions and are never added together.
Using it today
Based on 2025 births across the United States.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| Given in 2025 | 568 | Steady |
| All-time total | 345,173 | Since records begin in 1880 |
| Peak | 6,288 in 1953 | Its highest year on record |
| Strongest state | CA | Highest share relative to births |
In scripture
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| First appears | Matthew 10:3 |
| Last appears | Acts 21:8 |
| Cross-references | 921 linked passages |
Names connected to this one
- Bartholomew co-occurrence Appears with Bartholomew in John 1.
- Andrew co-occurrence Appears with Andrew in Acts 1.
- Judas co-occurrence Appears with Judas in Acts 1.
- Simon co-occurrence Appears with Simon in Acts 1.
- Alphaeus co-occurrence Appears with Alphaeus in Acts 1.
- Matthew co-occurrence Appears with Matthew in Acts 1.
- Herodias co-occurrence Appears with Herodias in Mark 6.
- Nathanael co-occurrence Appears with Nathanael in John 1.
Origin & meaning
φίλιππος, -ου, ὁ
Philip;
__1. the husband of Herodias: Mat.14:3, Mrk.6:17.
__2. The tetrarch: Mat.16:13, Mrk.8:27, Luk.3:1.
__3. The apostle: Mat.10:3, Mrk.3:18, Luk.6:14, Jhn.1:44-49 6:5, 7 12:21-22 14:8-9, Act.1:13.
__4. The deacon and evangelist: Act.6:5 8:5-40 21:8.†
(AS)
Philip, one of the seven deacons chosen by the early church in Jerusalem, who preached the gospel in Samaria and baptized an Ethiopian eunuch.
The biblical story
Philip was one of the seven men chosen by the early church in Jerusalem to serve as deacons, responsible for the daily distribution of food to widows (Act.6.5). After the martyrdom of Stephen, a great persecution arose against the church, and the believers were scattered. Philip went to Samaria and preached the gospel, performing miracles and casting out unclean spirits (Act.8.4-8). Many Samaritans believed and were baptized, including Simon the sorcerer (Act.8.9-13).
Philip was then directed by an angel to go south on the road from Jerusalem to Gaza, where he encountered an Ethiopian eunuch, a court official of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians (Act.8.26-28). The eunuch was reading from the book of Isaiah, and Philip explained to him the good news about Jesus (Act.8.29-35). The eunuch believed and was baptized by Philip (Act.8.36-38). After this, Philip was miraculously transported by the Spirit to Azotus, and he continued preaching the gospel in all the towns until he reached Caesarea (Act.8.39-40).
Later, Philip is mentioned as one of the "seven" and referred to as "Philip the evangelist" (Act.21.8). He had four unmarried daughters who had the gift of prophecy (Act.21.9). Paul and his companions stayed with Philip in Caesarea during Paul's final journey to Jerusalem (Act.21.8-16).
Key verses
Philip appears in 16 verses. Here are some of the most notable:
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And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch:
Acts 6:5 -
Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them.
Acts 8:5 -
And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did.
Acts 8:6 -
But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.
Acts 8:12 -
Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done.
Acts 8:13
Show all 16 references
Acts (16)
- Acts 6:5
- Acts 8:5
- Acts 8:6
- Acts 8:12
- Acts 8:13
- Acts 8:26
- Acts 8:29
- Acts 8:30
- Acts 8:31
- Acts 8:34
- Acts 8:35
- Acts 8:37
- Acts 8:38
- Acts 8:39
- Acts 8:40
- Acts 21:8
Name variants & nicknames
- Phil — nickname
- Pip — nickname
- Felipe — Spanish
- Filipe — Portuguese
- Philippos — Greek form