Phillip

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A masculine first name of Greek origin, borne by many people ; a verb-like sense is not applicable here
2. A male forename, an alternative spelling of Philip, used in English-speaking countries
3. A common male first name derived from the Greek for lover of horses, often shortened to Phil

Etymology: Phillip is simply a variant spelling of Philip, and the two names share one history. The name comes from the Greek "Philippos," formed from "philos," meaning loving or dear, and "hippos," meaning horse. Its literal sense is "lover of horses," a meaning that made it popular among aristocratic families in the ancient Greek world, where horsemanship signaled wealth and status. The best-known bearer of the name was Philip II of Macedon, who reigned from 359 to 336 BC and was the father of Alexander the Great. His success in building a powerful Macedonian kingdom gave the name lasting prestige, and it spread through the Greek and then the Roman world, especially after the New Testament apostle Philip gave it a place in early Christian tradition. The spelling "Phillip," with a double "l," is the less common of the two forms in English, while "Philip" is the standard spelling. Both are used as given names, and the shortened form "Phil" works with either.