The story behind Philippa
A Latinate feminine form of Philip, recorded in medieval England, but originally pronounced like the masculine form.
Other language forms and explanations (1)
Latin entry
Feminine form of Philippus from Ancient Greek Φίλιππος (Phílippos, literally “Lover of Horses”).
Pronunciation
UK: /ˈfɪ.lɪ.pə/
Regional pronunciation variants
- Latin; Classical-Latin: [pʰɪˈlɪp.pa]
- Latin: [fiˈlip.pa]
Popularity
Philippa ranked #2808 in US for 2025.
Source: SSA national baby names
Names Similar to Philippa
Palmira
Borrowed from Latin Palmȳra, Palmīra, from Ancient Greek Παλμύρα (Palmúra), Παλμίρα (Palmíra), of uncertain origin.
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 3 syllables
- Ending
- ends A
- same syllable count
- similar length
Pandóra
From Ancient Greek Πανδώρᾱ (Pandṓrā).
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 3 syllables
- Ending
- ends A
- same syllable count
- similar length
Periboea
Borrowed from Ancient Greek Περίβοια (Períboia).
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 3 syllables
- Ending
- ends A
- same syllable count
- similar length
Agatha
Borrowed from Latin Agatha, from Ancient Greek Ἀγαθή (Agathḗ), from Ancient Greek ἀγαθός (agathós, “good”). Ultimately from Ancient Greek Ἀγαθή (Agathḗ), feminine of ἀγαθός…
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 3 syllables
- Ending
- ends A
- same syllable count
- similar length
Aglaia
Borrowed from Ancient Greek Ἀγλαΐα (Aglaḯa).
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 3 syllables
- Ending
- ends A
- same syllable count
- similar length
Agnieszka
From Ancient Greek Ἁγνή (Hagnḗ) + Polish -ka.
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 3 syllables
- Ending
- ends A
- same syllable count
- similar length
Middle Names for Philippa
Bairbre
From Latin Barbara (name of a legendary saint), feminine form of barbarus, from Ancient Greek βάρβαρος (bárbaros, “strange, foreign”). Cognate with Scottish Gaelic Barabal and…
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 1 syllable
- Ending
- ends E
- balanced syllable contrast
- good length contrast
Bartolomej
Derived from Ancient Greek Βαρθολομαῖος (Bartholomaîos).
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 4 syllables
- Ending
- ends J
- balanced syllable contrast
- good length contrast
Bartoloměj
Inherited from Old Czech Bartoloměj.
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 4 syllables
- Ending
- ends J
- balanced syllable contrast
- good length contrast
Sibling Names for Philippa
Abdiasz
Learned borrowing from Latin Abdias, from Ancient Greek Ἀβδίας (Abdías), from Hebrew עובדיה.
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends Z
- shared origin connection
- balanced name length
Abelus
Borrowed from Ancient Greek Ἅβελ (Hábel), itself from Biblical Hebrew הֶ֫בֶל (heḇel). The vowel, while short by etymology, is shown to be carrying stress by the descended…
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 3 syllables
- Ending
- ends S
- shared origin connection
- balanced name length
Abraham
Middle English Abraham English Abraham From Middle English Abraham, from Old English Abraham, from Late Latin Ābrahām, from Ancient Greek Ἀβρᾱᾱ́μ (Abrāā́m), from Hebrew…
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 3 syllables
- Ending
- ends M
- shared origin connection
- balanced name length