Philip

Philip is an English and broader Western European given name derived from the ancient Greek name Philippos, composed of the elements philos, meaning friend or lover, and hippos, meaning horse, giving the overall sense of one who loves horses. It was borne by several Macedonian kings, most notably Philip II, father of Alexander the Great, and by one of the twelve apostles of Jesus, ensuring its adoption across both classical and Christian traditions. The name spread throughout medieval Europe via the Church and royal dynasties, including numerous kings of France and Spain. Related forms include Phillip, Felipe, Philipp, Filip, and the feminine Philippa.