Meaning & History
Philippa is a Latinate feminine form of Philip. As an English name, it is chiefly British and came into common use in the Anglosphere in the 1800s.
Etymology
The name derives from the Greek name Φίλιππος (Philippos), which means "friend of horses" (from philos "friend, lover" and hippos "horse"). Historically, the masculine Philip was used as a vernacular form for both sexes in medieval England, but in church records, women were often recorded by the Latinate spelling Philippa.
History and Usage
The name Philippa was borne by several medieval noblewomen, including Philippa of Hainault, queen consort of Edward III of England, and her granddaughter Philippa, 5th Countess of Ulster (1355–1382). The name later declined in use but was revived in the 19th century. Today, it is especially common in the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand. Common short forms include Pip and Pippa; the latter gained prominence through Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge's sister, Pippa Middleton.
Notable Bearers
- Philippa Gregory (born 1954), English historical novelist
- Philippa of Lancaster (1360–1415), Queen of Portugal
- Philippa Foot (1920–2010), British philosopher
Variants
Alternate spellings include Philipa and Phillipa. Across languages, the name appears as Filippa (Swedish, Italian, Danish), Philippine (French), Filipina (Polish), Filipa (Portuguese, Czech, Slovak), and Felipa (Spanish). German also has the diminutive Philippina.
- Meaning: "friend of horses"
- Origin: Greek, via Latin
- Type: Feminine given name
- Regions: English-speaking world (especially UK), also used in German-speaking countries
Related Names
Sources: Wikipedia — Philippa