Phillips: Name Popularity, History & Rankings (1880

Rank 2025

–

among boys

Babies in 2025

named Phillips

How common

–

boys born in 2025

Peak year

1949

32 babies

All-time total

1,331

#4,283 all-time among boys

First recorded

1904

in Social Security records

Phillips popularity over time

1,331 babies have been named Phillips since 1904, according to official Social Security records. Switch measure to see births per year or the yearly rank.

Measure

Births per 1,000 babies of that sex, comparable across eras

By decade. Change compares yearly averages, so the current partial decade is on equal footing. Best rank is the name's best yearly rank within the decade.

Decade	Boys	Per year	Change	Best rank
1880s	–	–	–	–
1890s	–	–	–	–
1900s	13	1	–	#1,138
1910s	112	11	+762%	#1,679
1920s	173	17	+54%	#1,666
1930s	176	18	+2%	#1,541
1940s	176	18	0%	#1,292
1950s	157	16	-11%	#1,734
1960s	126	13	-20%	#1,885
1970s	89	9	-29%	#2,847
1980s	124	12	+39%	#2,883
1990s	105	11	-15%	#3,427
2000s	43	4	-59%	#5,478
2010s	25	3	-42%	#9,525
2020s (to 2025)	12	2	-20%	#10,526

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.

How old are people named Phillips?

The median living Phillips is about 53 years old; half are between 35 and 70. An estimated 700 people named Phillips are alive in the United States today.

Estimated from births per year and Social Security period life tables; an approximation of the living age distribution, by age in years.

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

The most globally famous bearers of the name, ranked by fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).

1 Phillips Idowu British triple jumper b. 1978 · Contemporary

Portraits from Wikipedia (Wikimedia Commons).

Frequently asked questions

Quick answers about Phillips, drawn from the same Social Security data as the charts above.

How old is the average Phillips?

The median living Phillips is about 53 years old. Half of all living Phillipss are between 35 and 70 years old.

How many people named Phillips are alive today?

An estimated 700 people named Phillips are alive in the United States, based on 1,331 recorded births and Social Security life tables.

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).

Names like Phillips

Names that sound and feel close to Phillips: shared sounds, similar era, similar popularity. Each links to its full history.

Compare Phillips with similar names → More names starting with P →