Name meaning & stats
Phil
Phil means “horse-loving”. 14,491 US babies since 1940, peak 1959. Notable Phils are 2.1× over-represented as footballers.
What it means
“horse-loving”
Well documented
In US birth records
Peak year: 1959
14,491 US babies were named Phil between 1940 and 2025.
Where Phils end up
| Career | vs expected | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Footballer | 2.1× | High · 131 people |
| Politician | 1.5× | High · 105 people |
| NFL-style footballer | 1.0× | High · 59 people |
| Musician | 1.2× | High · 42 people |
Among notable men who are footballers, Phils show up 2.1× as often as you'd expect from how common the name is.
Notable people born 1940–2005 in the US, UK, Canada and Australia (Wikidata). Patterns, not destiny.
One more thing…
Phil has a surprise career: 2.5×
Spelling family
Phil is the main spelling
- Phil 97%
- Phill 3%
Names that sound the same, grouped by Heyotag. Share of US babies since 1940.
Name twins (peaked around 1959)