Of Greek origin.
From the name Φίλιππος, Philippos, meaning “he who loves the horses”.
The name derives from two Greek words: “Φίλος”, philos, meaning friend, lover and “ίππος”, hippos, meaning horse.
Five kings of Macedonia bore the name. Most notable was Philip II, a member of the ancient Greek royal house the “Argead dynasty” and father of Alexander the Great.
He was appreciated and regarded as a hero by the Ancient Greeks. His statue was placed in the temple of Artemis in Ephesos. In Olympia, they built the “Philippeion”, a memorial made out of marble, ivory, and gold, to honor Philipp’s family.
Several Orthodox Christian saints bore the name. Most renowned, was one of the apostles, who preached in Greece, Phrygia, and Syria.
The name Philip was common among the Eastern Christians and it only reached the western countries in the Middle Ages.
Six king of France and five kings of Spain were named Philip.
Alternative spellings are: Philippos, Philippe, Filip, Felip, Felipe, Filippo, Phil, Pip, Piripi, Pilypas, Felipinho, etc.
Feminine form of the name: Philippa, Filippa, Filipina, Felipa, Pippa, Philipa.
Famous bearers are Philip Sidney, Philip Glass, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Philip Bailey, Philip Michael Thomas, Phil Collins, Phil Jackson, Philip Roth, Philip Baker Hall, Philip Ahn, Philip Bosco, Mickey Rourke (Philip Andre Rourke Jr).