Phebe is a variant of Phoebe used in some translations of the New Testament. The name ultimately derives from the Greek Φοίβη (Phoibe), meaning "bright, pure", from φοῖβος (phoibos). In Greek mythology, Phoibe was a Titan associated with the moon; the name also served as an epithet of the moon goddess Artemis. The New Testament references a deaconess named Phoebe in the church at Cenchreae, mentioned in Paul's Epistle to the Romans (Romans 16:1-2), as the female minister who delivered the letter.Notable BearersPhebe has been used by several women in modern history, often as a spelling variation. Notable bearers include Phebe Gibbes (died 1805), an English novelist and early feminist; Phebe Anne Coffin Hanaford (1829–1921), a minister, biographer, and activist for suffrages and women's rights; Phebe Sudlow (1831–1922), the first female superintendent of a public U.S. school and the first female professor at the University of Iowa; and Phebe Starr, an Australian singer-songwriter. Recent notable individuals include martial arts filmmaker and actress? We also have Phebe Novakovic, chairman and CEO of General Dynamics; Phebe Marr, historian of the Middle East; and Phebe Hemphill, sculptor at the United States Mint.Cultural ContextIn English-speaking countries, the name Phoebe re‑entered use as a given name after the Protestant Reformation. It was moderately common in the 19th century. It recently gained attention in the late 20th century due to characters on American television series “Friends” and “Charmed.” Phebe stands as a rare English Bible variation retaining an etymological visual cue rather than phonetic, appearing specifically as a transcription choice from Latin to English among influences such as the Vulgate Phœbe – favoring older adstrate; but nonetheless it now exists primarily for very American and Nordic recipients to recast Phoebe in stylised form.