Phule

Phule is primarily encountered as a surname in English-language usage. It is relatively uncommon, and there is no widely cited, definitive etymology for the name in major linguistic sources. In popular culture, the name is best known from the science fiction comedy series Phule's Company by Robert Asprin, where it has become associated with a fictional character rather than a real-world historical figure.

In the series, Captain Willard Phule (often referred to simply as Phule) is a wealthy industrialist who becomes the commander of a unit known as Phule's Company, stationed at a spacefaring military academy. The premise centers on Phule's Company, a crew that Phule leads with unorthodox tactics, political savvy, and a sense of humor that satirizes military bureaucracy and interstellar politics. The stories blend science fiction adventure with comedy and social satire, exploring themes of leadership, class, and organizational culture within a far-reaching galactic setting. The original novel was followed by several sequels that expand the adventures of Willard Phule and his irregular command.

As a real-world surname, Phule appears sporadically and is not associated with widely recognized historical figures. Its prominence today is largely tied to its use in literature and fan communities surrounding the Phule's Company series.