Philipp

Philipp is a masculine given name, primarily used in German-speaking countries. It is the German form of Philip, which derives from the Greek name Philippos, combining philos “loving, friend” with hippos “horse.” The most common German spelling is Philipp, with two p’s at the end. Variants found in other languages include Philip (English), Philippe (French), Filip (various languages), and Filippo (Italian). The name has been prominent in German history and culture since the Middle Ages.

Notable people named Philipp include Philipp Melanchthon (1497–1560), a German reformer who collaborated with Martin Luther; Philipp Lahm (born 1983), a German footballer who captained Bayern Munich and the national team; Philipp Scheidemann (1865–1939), a German politician who proclaimed the Weimar Republic; and Philipp Lenard (1862–1947), a German physicist and Nobel laureate known for work on cathode rays. These figures illustrate the name’s long-standing presence in science, politics, and sport.

The name remains in regular use in German-speaking regions and has many cognates across languages. The feminine form Philippa is used in English and some other contexts, and related forms include Filipa, Filippa, and others depending on language. Philipp’s enduring associations with leadership, scholarship, and athletic achievement contribute to its continued visibility in contemporary naming.