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Phillips — Dog Name Meaning, Origin & Popularity

Phillips (FIL-lips), 2 syllables — A surname meaning 'son of Philip'.. Verified by the Pets In The City editorial team, with real popularity data from our Auckland community.

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What does Phillips mean?

Modern: A surname meaning 'son of Philip'.. Phillips is a surname of English origin meaning 'son of Philip', which is derived from the Greek name Philippos, meaning 'lover of horses'.

Our editors checked this meaning before publishing. Names with several genuine origins are shown as separate senses rather than a single claim.

Is Phillips a good dog name?

Phillips has not been formally rated for calling yet. As a rule of thumb, one or two clear syllables work best for recall. With 2 syllables, it is quick to say — a practical length for recall.

Before you commit, say it out loud a few times and check it does not clash with a household name or a training cue like "sit" or "no".

Phillips popularity in the Pets In The City community

We don't have publishable popularity figures for Phillips in our Auckland community. This does not tell us how common the name is.

Popularity comes from anonymised, aggregated records of dogs at our 5 Auckland centres. It reflects our community, not a national census.

What kind of dog does Phillips suit?

It is most often used for boy dogs in our community. Owners often pick Phillips for its modern, human name feel. Treat these as suggestions — plenty of dogs happily wear names that break every rule.

Phillips’s Daycare Verdict

Our entirely unscientific pack opinion.

When Phillips walked into the Dog Hotel, we all thought, 'Great! Another dog with a human name—must be a real charmer!' Now we just need to see who brings the best belly rubs!

Names similar to Phillips

  • Aaniyah — Meaning 'caring' or 'compassionate' in Arabic.
  • Aanvi — Meaning 'one who is full of life' in Sanskrit.
  • Aanya — Meaning 'gracious' or 'full of grace' in Sanskrit.
  • Aara — Meaning 'noble' or 'exalted' in Hebrew.
  • Aarav — Meaning 'peaceful' or 'calm' in Sanskrit.
  • Aaren — Modern variant of 'Aaron', meaning 'mountain of strength'.
  • Aarian — Modern variant of 'Aarion', meaning 'exalted'.
  • Aariel — Meaning 'lion of God' in Hebrew.

Collections featuring Phillips

See all curated collections.

Like Phillips? Find names that fit your dog

The Dog Name Matchmaker learns your taste and picks eight names that suit your dog's character — each with a reason it fits.

Naming a new puppy?

A great name is step one. Step two is a great start: our force-free puppy training classes build confidence and recall (that new name gets a workout). New to Pets In The City? Register your dog for a temperament assessment and meet the pack.

By the numbers

  • 2 syllables — quick to call
  • Meaning and pronunciation verified by our editors
  • Data from 5 Auckland Pets In The City centres

Find names like Phillips Browse all names A–Z

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