"Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, We have found him... Jesus of Nazareth. And Nathanael said unto him, Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, Come and see."
Biblical Name · Greek Origin
Philip Meaning in the Bible
Philip
boy
Philip means "lover of horses," from the Greek Philippos. It is a real King James Bible name carried by two men: the apostle who told Nathanael, "Come and see" (John 1:46), and Philip the evangelist who preached to the Ethiopian eunuch (Acts 8:35).
Is Philip in the Bible?
Yes — Philip appears in the King James Bible, including John 1:45-46.
Pronunciation:/FIL-ip/
What does Philip mean?
Philip is a boy name of Greek origin meaning "Lover of horses; Friend". Philip means "lover of horses" in Greek, though his biblical legacy is one of loving people and bringing them to Jesus. Philip the Apostle was from Bethsaida and was one of the first disciples called by Jesus.
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What does Philip mean in the Bible?
Philip means "Lover of horses; Friend" and is a name of Greek origin. Below is what Scripture and Christian tradition attach to that meaning.
Philip means "lover of horses" in Greek, though his biblical legacy is one of loving people and bringing them to Jesus. Philip the Apostle was from Bethsaida and was one of the first disciples called by Jesus.
When Philip encountered Jesus, his immediate response was to find Nathanael and tell him, "We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth." When Nathanael expressed doubt, Philip simply said, "Come and see" — a model of personal evangelism.
Philip the Evangelist (a different Philip from the apostle) was one of the seven deacons who later preached in Samaria with great success and was led by the Spirit to explain Isaiah 53 to an Ethiopian court official, leading to his conversion and baptism.
Where does Philip appear in the Bible (KJV)?
Philip is connected to 2 key passages in the King James Bible, beginning with John 1:45-46. Each verse is quoted in full below.
"Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus."
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What are the variants and nicknames of Philip?
Philip has 6 recorded variants, short forms, and translations across languages and biblical traditions.
Which books of the Bible mention Philip?
Philip is mentioned across 3 books of the Bible. Follow any book below to read it in the KJV.
What is the spiritual meaning of Philip?
Philip's simple invitation — 'Come and see' — is the essence of evangelism. His life teaches that sharing faith doesn't require eloquent arguments, just a genuine invitation to encounter Jesus personally.
Related Promises of God
Promises connected to the meaning of the name Philip:
God Promises to Be Faithful
Bible promises about God's unwavering faithfulness in every situation.
God Promises Contentment Through Him
Bible promises about finding true satisfaction and contentment in God.
God Promises to Answer Prayer
Bible promises that God hears and answers the prayers of His people.
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Philippians 1:6 — Meaning & Devotional
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The Beloved Physician
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Philippians 1:6 — Meaning & Devotional
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Philippians 1:6 Commentary
In-depth study • Perseverance
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Proverbs 18:24 Commentary
In-depth study • True Friendship
Character
John the Apostle in the Bible
The Beloved Disciple
What names are related to Philip?
Names like Philip
Other Greek biblical names that share the spirit of "Lover of horses; Friend" — discovered by matching meaning category and origin.
Names that pair well with Philip
Sibling sets, middle-name combinations, and complementary pairings chosen for matching origin, meaning, and similar syllable weight.
Share the meaning of Philip
Download a printable name card with the KJV verse and meaning — perfect for Pinterest, Instagram, or a baptism keepsake.
Philip name meaning: frequently asked questions
Yes — Philip appears in the King James Bible, including John 1:45-46.
Philip means "Lover of horses; Friend." It is a Greek name. The King James Bible uses it in John 1:45-46, so the meaning is carried by a real person in Scripture.
Greek. Philip comes into English from Greek and carries the sense "Lover of horses; Friend." It appears in the King James Bible, including John 1:45-46.
Common questions about the name Philip
Can I download a free King James Bible PDF to study the name Philip?
Yes. The complete King James Bible is available as a free PDF download — all 66 books, 1,189 chapters, ready to read offline or print. No sign-up required.
Where can I read the full biblical context for Philip?
You can read every verse where Philip appears in the King James Bible by downloading the free KJV PDF or reading online. The download page also includes a bookmarked Book of Psalms KJV PDF for easy reference.