Meaning & History
Filip is a masculine given name used in numerous European languages, including Bulgarian, Croatian, Czech, Danish, Dutch, Finnish, Macedonian, Norwegian, Polish, Romanian, Serbian, Slovak, Slovene, and Swedish. It is the local form of Philip, derived from the Greek name Φίλιππος (Philippos), meaning “friend of horses” from the elements philos “friend, lover” and hippos “horse”. The name appears in the New Testament as the name of an apostle and Philip the Deacon, both regarded as saints.
History and Spread
The name was originally more common among Eastern Christians but spread to the West by the Middle Ages. It was borne by five kings of Macedon, including Philip II, father of Alexander the Great, and subsequently by six kings of France and five kings of Spain. Despite the Spanish king Philip II’s attempt to invade England, the name remained popular across Europe. In Croatia, Filip was among the most common masculine given names in the 2000s, reflecting its enduring popularity in Slavic and other European regions.
Notable Bearers
Notable individuals named Filip include numerous athletes such as Montenegrin basketball player Filip Barović, Serbian footballer Filip Đorđević, and Swedish ice hockey player Filip Bergmark. In politics, Filip Filipović (1878–1938) was a Serbian communist politician. The name is also common in water polo, with Serbian player Filip Filipović (born 1987) achieving international recognition.
Variants and Derivatives
Related forms include Vilppu (Finnish), Filippus (Dutch), and Flip (Dutch diminutive). Feminine counterparts include Filippa (Danish) and Filipina (Polish). The name has also given rise to surname derivatives such as Filipov (Macedonian) and Filipović (Serbian), reflecting patronymic naming traditions across the Balkans and Eastern Europe.
Cultural Significance
As a direct cognate of the ancient and royal name Philip, Filip carries a legacy of classical and biblical heritage combined with a distinct local flavor in each language. Its consistent popularity across diverse cultures—from Scandinavia to the Balkans—highlights its cross-cultural appeal.
- Meaning: friend of horses
- Origin: Greek via Latin and Christian tradition
- Type: First name
- Usage regions: Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Netherlands, Finland, Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden
Related Names
Sources: Wikipedia — Filip