Phoebe Name Meaning

The name Phoebe is derived from the Greek word “phoibos,” which means “bright” or “shining.” This is a fitting name for a goddess associated with the moon, as the moon is often thought of as a shining or bright object in the night sky. Additionally, the name Phoebe can also be interpreted to mean “pure” or “clean.”

Origins of the Name Phoebe

Phoebe is a name that has its roots in Greek mythology. In Greek mythology, Phoebe was a Titan goddess, the daughter of Uranus and Gaea. She was known as the “shining one” or the “bright one” and was associated with the moon. In Roman mythology, Phoebe was known as the goddess of the moon and was often depicted as a woman holding a crescent moon on her forehead.

Popularity of the Name Phoebe

Phoebe has been a popular name for centuries, but it experienced a resurgence in popularity in the late 1800s and early 1900s. This was likely due to the increasing popularity of Greek and Roman names during this time period. The name Phoebe has remained popular throughout the years and has never really gone out of style.

Phoebe is a name that has been used in literature for centuries. In Shakespeare’s play “As You Like It,” Phoebe is a minor character who is known for her beauty and charm. In Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice,” Phoebe is the name of a character who is known for her wit and intelligence.

Phoebe is also a name that has been used in pop culture. In the hit TV show “Friends,” Phoebe is one of the main characters and is known for her quirky and eccentric personality. Phoebe is also the name of the character played by actress Lisa Kudrow in the show.

In 21st century, Phoebe is still a popular name among parents. It’s a name that has a classic and timeless feel to it, and it’s a name that has been used throughout history. It’s a name that is associated with beauty, intelligence, and wit, which are all positive attributes.

Final Thoughts on the Name Phoebe

Phoebe, meaning “shining” or “bright” is a name that is perfect for a little girl with a bright personality and a shining future ahead. It’s a name that has been around for centuries and has never really gone out of style, which makes it a perfect choice for parents looking for a timeless and classic name for their daughter.

In conclusion, Phoebe is a name with a rich history and meaning, it’s a name that has been used throughout literature and pop culture, and it’s a name that has never really gone out of style. It’s a perfect choice for parents looking for a timeless, classic, and meaningful name for their daughter.

Infographic of Phoebe name meaning, which is A Greek name, Phoebe means bright and pure.
Ask your friends & family about Phoebe…

Phoebe Name Popularity

How popular is the name Phoebe? Here’s everything we know.

Year Rank # Births % Births
1910 — 26 0.0074%
1911 — 35 0.0094%
1912 — 40 0.0079%
1913 — 61 0.0108%
1914 — 111 0.0159%
1915 — 123 0.0135%
1916 — 132 0.0137%
1917 — 153 0.0153%
1918 — 149 0.0139%
1919 — 126 0.012%
1920 — 143 0.0129%
1921 — 126 0.011%
1922 — 116 0.0104%
1923 — 124 0.0111%
1924 — 144 0.0124%
1925 — 126 0.0111%
1926 — 98 0.0089%
1927 — 99 0.0089%
1928 — 128 0.012%
1929 — 90 0.0087%
1930 — 92 0.0088%
1931 — 77 0.0078%
1932 — 71 0.0072%
1933 — 95 0.0102%
1934 — 63 0.0065%
1935 — 75 0.0077%
1936 — 84 0.0087%
1937 — 65 0.0066%
1938 — 81 0.0079%
1939 — 80 0.0079%
1940 — 92 0.0087%
1941 — 99 0.0088%
1942 — 63 0.005%
1943 — 67 0.0051%
1944 — 43 0.0035%
1945 — 51 0.0042%
1946 — 69 0.0047%
1947 — 60 0.0036%
1948 — 57 0.0036%
1949 — 37 0.0023%
1950 — 45 0.0028%
1951 — 44 0.0026%
1952 — 43 0.0025%
1953 — 36 0.002%
1954 — 59 0.0032%
1955 — 57 0.0031%
1956 — 59 0.0031%
1957 — 48 0.0025%
1958 — 51 0.0027%
1959 — 75 0.0039%
1960 — 54 0.0029%
1961 — 52 0.0028%
1962 — 39 0.0021%
1963 — 45 0.0025%
1964 — 51 0.0029%
1965 — 30 0.0018%
1966 — 62 0.004%
1967 — 78 0.0051%
1968 — 33 0.0022%
1969 — 47 0.0031%
1970 — 48 0.003%
1971 — 51 0.0034%
1972 — 37 0.0027%
1973 — 51 0.0039%
1974 — 31 0.0024%
1975 — 58 0.0045%
1976 — 38 0.0029%
1977 — 86 0.0064%
1978 — 52 0.0039%
1979 — 45 0.0032%
1980 — 28 0.0019%
1981 — 37 0.0025%
1982 — 33 0.0022%
1983 — 37 0.0025%
1984 — 44 0.003%
1985 — 65 0.0043%
1986 — 79 0.0052%
1987 — 55 0.0036%
1988 — 71 0.0046%
1989 — 124 0.0077%
1990 — 160 0.0097%
1991 — 168 0.0103%
1992 — 138 0.0086%
1993 — 155 0.0099%
1994 — 185 0.0121%
1995 — 346 0.023%
1996 — 372 0.0248%
1997 — 366 0.0247%
1998 — 351 0.0235%
1999 — 491 0.0328%
2000 — 603 0.0395%
2001 — 714 0.0474%
2002 — 621 0.0414%
2003 — 648 0.0426%
2004 — 729 0.0478%
2005 — 696 0.0455%
2006 — 868 0.0554%
2007 — 961 0.0609%
2008 — 941 0.0609%
2009 — 990 0.0662%
2010 — 1,006 0.0698%
2011 — 1,002 0.0703%
2012 — 1,027 0.0721%
2013 — 1,034 0.0726%
2014 — 1,078 0.074%
2015 — 1,100 0.0756%
2016 — 1,008 0.0699%
2017 — 994 0.0712%
2018 — 993 0.0723%
2019 — 1,122 0.0829%
2020 — 1,107 0.087%
2021 — 1,119 0.0915%
2022 — 1,353 0.1026%
2023 — 1,571 0.1214%

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Data via SSA.gov.

Names Like Phoebe

If you like Phoebe, you’ll love these other names like Phoebe.

What names are variants of Phoebe?

Mix it up with these names that are a variation of the name Phoebe.

Name Meaning Origin Popularity Other Gender
Febe

Bright, radiant

Greek

Pheabe

Bright, radiant

Greek

Phebe

Bright, radiant

Greek

Pheby

Bright, radiant

Greek

Phoebey

Bright, radiant

Greek

Phoeboe

Bright, radiant

Greek

What names are similar to Phoebe?

Find a name that’s like Phoebe, but just a little bit different.

Name Meaning Origin Popularity Other Gender
Fiby

Spanish

Lists With Phoebe

Find inspiration in these baby girl name lists featuring the name Phoebe.

Siblings of Phoebe

Mamas with kids named Phoebe also have kids with these names.

Name Meaning Origin Popularity Other Gender
Zorah

Dawn

Slavic

Rex

King

Latin

Margo

Pearl

French

Annabella

He (God) has favored me

Hebrew

Eloise

Healthy one

English

Josiah

God supports

Hebrew

20 Comments

  1. Phoebe is the name of Holden Caldwell’s little sister in the novel Catcher in the Rye. She’s a minor character, but one I instantly fell in love with. She’s wise beyond her years, funny, intelligent, and full of childlike wonder. She inspires Holden to be a better person. And that’s whom our Phoebe is named after.

    Reply

  2. Phoebe means bright, radiant, and pure and we were looking for a bright light in our lives.

    Reply

  3. My name is Phoebe and my parents named me after the character Phoebe buffet from friends<3

    Reply

    • My name is Phoebe and my parents named me after the character Phoebe buffet from friends<3 I am 12 years old and going into 7th grade. I love people and how people love my name. I want to let all you Phoebe's out there know that you are a wonderful person and your name is beautiful and it reminds you of your importance at life and to make sure no-one can take it away from you. Always fallow your dreams no matter what name you have. #Bright and Pure #Beatiful

      Reply

      • My name is Phoebe and my parents named me after the character Phoebe buffet from friends<3 I am 12 years old and going into 7th grade. I love people and how people love my name. I want to let all you Phoebe's out there know that you are a wonderful person and your name is beautiful and it reminds you of your importance at life and to make sure no-one can take it away from you. Always fallow your dreams no matter what name you have. #Bright and Pure #Beautiful

        Reply

      • I was named Phoebe after my mom’s roommate, Phoebe Schnault. They were students at the University of Oklahoma (OU) in Norman, OK. I was born in January 1941, in Oklahoma. After WW2 my parents moved to southern CA. I have earned two college degrees. I’m 82 but strangers stop me sometimes and tell me I’m beautiful. Last week, at La Brea Tar Pits with my granddaughter, a lady stopped me and told me a was glowing! That was a first! But I think she recognized somehow that I am a Christian. She was also a believer. I am associated with The Lockman Foundation and worked together with the translation team that produced the Amplified Bible 2015 update. I’ll send you a gift copy if you email pnlamb@yahoo.com. Our name is in the Bible, Romans 16:1. She carried Paul’s letter to the church in Rome and he commends her as a good person. Blessings to you and your family.

        Reply

    • My name is Phoebe and my parents named me after the character Phoebe buffet from friends<3 I am 12 years old and going into 7th grade. I love people and how people love my name. I want to let all you Phoebe's out there know that you are a wonderful person and your name is beautiful and it reminds you of your importance at life and to make sure no-one can take it away from you. Always fallow your dreams no matter what name you have. #Bright and Pure #Beautiful

      Reply

  4. We wanted to name our little girl after my mother whose name is Phyllis without using her name directly. Phoebe is the nickname that my mom had as a child.

    Reply

  5. Biblically she was a awesome lady.

    Reply

  6. My sister originally thought of calling me phoebe and my mum instantly fell in love with the name!

    Reply

    • First I didn’t like my name because everybody else has names that I like but now my name I gonna tell people and they say that’s a nice name or that’s a pretty name it always makes me happy and I just hope some people up there have the same Name as me

      Reply

  7. I wanted a biblical name that wasn’t super common and my favorite book of the Bible is Romans, and Phoebe is mentioned in chapter 16. Her name means bright/shining… and Galilee is her middle name. ? ?

    Reply

  8. My husband and I have very different ideas about girls names and couldn’t agree on anything. He finally mentioned Phoebe after watching an episode of friends….I didn’t love it at first but after doing some research and seeing the mythological ties I fell in love with it. I’m so glad we named her Phoebe because it fits her so perfectly!

    Reply

  9. We liked the sound of the name, but also named her after the Biblical figure, who is the only woman given the title of deacon, and is described as a helper of many. We hope our daughter is a person of faith who helps others and defies societal expectations in her time.

    Reply

  10. Phoebe was my grandmother’s name and I always liked it. I also wanted a name that was less commonly heard. I also like it because it is one of the few female names referenced in the Bible. It has a meaning of brightness as well.

    Reply

  11. It was our IVF doctors name and we thought it was cute. Then we heard it on the show friends and several other places. I had a dream of this big beautiful bird in this native land of mountains, hills and waterfalls. The bird flew down to me and said my name is Phoebe, don’t change it…. that’s who I am! Weird pregnant dream but we knew she was no other than our little Phoebe bird!

    Reply

  12. We both agreed on this name because it was beautiful, uncommon, and unique without being bizarre. We loved that it means bright and shining and that it also had a connection to the moon. In Greek mythology, Phoebe was a Titan associated with the moon. This was also an epithet of her granddaughter Artemis. A moon of Saturn bears this name in honour of the Titan. In poetry, Phoebe is the moon personified. Her older sisters name is Aubrey and we thought it sounded nice together.

    Reply

  13. It was a name we both agreed upon. It’s not very common and kind of different. The spelling is a little tricky for people and teaching the Ph will be a fun hurdle.

    Reply

  14. Sleep! Normal sleep for babies

    Reply

  15. Phoebe is a lesser known name from the New Testament. She was a friend of Paul’s and delivered some of his epistles for him. I have also found it common in early American History. My husband and I had both recently read about a pioneer woman named Phoebe Woodruff and when we heard the name as a baby suggestion we immedietly agreed without another thought. We almost named our daughter Phoebe Anne but changed to Phoebe Alice to find out later Phoebe Anne was Annie Oakley’s name! Our daughter’s twin is Zorah Anne.

    Reply

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