Phillips
Every Phillips since 1904 — 1,331 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Phillips
Phillips is not currently in use for newborns in the United States — fewer than five babies received the name in 2025. Its story lives in the historical record below.
Since 1904, 1,331 American babies have been named Phillips. Its peak came in 1949, when 32 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1940s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Phillips stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Phillips year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | — | — |
| 2024 | — | — |
| 2023 | 7 | #10,526 |
| 2022 | — | — |
| 2021 | 5 | #13,588 |
| 2020 | — | — |
| 2019 | 8 | #9,525 |
| 2018 | 7 | #10,465 |
| 2017 | — | — |
| 2016 | — | — |
| 2015 | 5 | #13,539 |
| 2014 | — | — |
| 2013 | — | — |
| 2012 | — | — |
| 2011 | — | — |
| 2010 | 5 | #13,756 |
| 2009 | — | — |
| 2008 | — | — |
| 2007 | — | — |
| 2006 | — | — |
| 2005 | 5 | #12,858 |
| 2004 | — | — |
| 2003 | 14 | #5,478 |
| 2002 | 5 | #12,013 |
| 2001 | 12 | #5,935 |
| 2000 | 7 | #8,890 |
| 1995 | 7 | #7,585 |
| 1990 | 18 | #3,427 |
| 1985 | 17 | #2,914 |
| 1980 | 7 | #5,359 |
| 1975 | 7 | #4,662 |
| 1970 | 12 | #2,847 |
| 1965 | 9 | #2,932 |
| 1960 | 14 | #2,289 |
| 1955 | 18 | #1,892 |
| 1950 | 19 | #1,734 |
| 1945 | 18 | #1,616 |
| 1940 | 16 | #1,783 |
| 1935 | 14 | #2,005 |
| 1930 | 23 | #1,555 |
| 1925 | 17 | #1,995 |
| 1920 | 12 | #2,572 |
| 1915 | 13 | #2,150 |
| 1910 | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — |
Famous people named Phillips
- Phillips Idowu Athlete · b. 1978
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
How popular is the name Phillips in 2025?
Phillips did not appear in the 2025 Social Security data, which means fewer than five babies received the name that year.
How many people are named Phillips?
1,331 babies have been named Phillips in the United States since 1904, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Phillips most popular?
Phillips peaked in 1949, when 32 newborns received the name.
Is Phillips a boy or girl name?
Phillips is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Phillips rising or falling?
Phillips is on the rise — noticeably more popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Phillips?
Well-known people named Phillips include Phillips Idowu (athlete).