# Philip

/ˈfɪɫəp/ (US)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/philip
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. male given name

noun · CEFR A1

a common first name for a man.

For teachers: a common male given name, derived from the Greek name Philippos, meaning 'lover of horses'.

- My brother Philip is starting his new job at the hospital tomorrow.
- Philip was named after his grandfather, following a long-standing family tradition of passing down the name to the firstborn son.

Usage: Often shortened to 'Phil' in informal contexts.

### 2. biblical figure

noun · CEFR B2 · Formal

one of the twelve original followers of Jesus in the Bible.

For teachers: one of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus in the New Testament; also refers to Philip the Evangelist.

- The stained glass window in the church shows Saint Philip.
- In the Gospel of John, Philip is the apostle who introduces Nathanael to Jesus.

Usage: Usually preceded by the title 'Saint' in religious contexts.

### 3. surname

noun · CEFR B1

a family name or last name.

For teachers: a surname of patronymic origin, indicating 'son of Philip'.

- The author of the book is a woman named Jane Philip.
- The Philip family has lived in this part of the county for several generations, according to the local records.

Usage: Less common as a surname than the variant 'Phillips'.

## Examples

- My friend Philip lives in London.
- The office manager asked Philip to lead the meeting because he had the most experience with the new software.
- Throughout European history, the name Philip has been borne by numerous monarchs, most notably in the royal houses of France, Spain, and Macedonia.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.