UK girl's name
Phoibe
A feminine name of Greek origin meaning "shining" or "radiant".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2016. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Phoibe is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Phoibe popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2016 in this profile. In that release it ranked #5785, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2014, with 3 births.
This profile covers 6 England and Wales registrations across 2 recorded years from 2014 to 2016. The figures come from ONS England and Wales, so the page is a view of published baby-name registrations rather than a forecast or a live count of people using the name today.
The latest count is about 100% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 6 living people in the UK are called Phoibe. This uses published birth registrations from England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, then applies ONS national life tables to estimate how many are likely still alive. It does not forecast extra births for 2017 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Phoibe ranked #5785 for girls in England and Wales in 2016, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2014, when 3 girls were registered as Phoibe.
- • About 6 living people in the UK are estimated to have Phoibe as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#5785
2016
Births in 2016
3
Latest year
Peak year
2014
3 births
Estimated living
6
2026
Meaning
What does Phoibe mean?
The name Phoibe has its origins in Ancient Greek language and culture. It is derived from the Greek word "phoibos," which means "radiant" or "bright." This name was associated with the Greek goddess of the moon, Phoebe, who was considered to be the embodiment of radiant beauty and illumination.
In Greek mythology, Phoebe was one of the Titans, the primordial deities who ruled the cosmos before the Olympian gods. She was the daughter of Uranus (Heaven) and Gaia (Earth), and the grandmother of Artemis, the virgin goddess of the hunt and the moon. The name Phoibe was also used as an epithet for Artemis herself, referring to her luminous nature.
The earliest recorded use of the name Phoibe can be found in ancient Greek literature, such as the works of Homer and Hesiod, dating back to the 8th century BCE. It was a popular name among the ancient Greeks, particularly in the regions of Athens and the Peloponnese.
One of the most notable historical figures bearing the name Phoibe was Phoibe of Cyzicus, a Pythagorean philosopher who lived in the 4th century BCE. She was celebrated for her wisdom and her teachings on the harmony of the universe.
Another notable Phoibe was Phoibe of Smyrna, a Greek poetess who lived in the 3rd century BCE. She was renowned for her epic poems, which unfortunately have not survived to the present day.
During the Byzantine era, the name Phoibe continued to be used among Greek-speaking Christians. One notable figure was Phoibe of Crete, a 5th-century martyr who was venerated as a saint in the Eastern Orthodox Church.
In the Renaissance period, the name Phoibe gained popularity among humanist scholars who were inspired by classical Greek culture. One example is Phoibe d'Albert, a 16th-century French poet and writer who was celebrated for her elegant verse.
Throughout history, the name Phoibe has been associated with themes of radiance, illumination, and artistic expression. Its enduring popularity reflects the enduring influence of ancient Greek culture and mythology on Western civilization.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Phoibe over time
The chart below shows babies named Phoibe registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2014 to 2016. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Phoibe, the clearest high point is 2014. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2016, compared with 3 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Phoibe by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Phoibe was a short-lived spike or a name that stayed in regular use. Average rank is calculated only from years where a published rank exists.
| Decade | Average rank | Total births | Years covered |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | #5738 | 6 | 2 |
Related
Names similar to Phoibe
- Poppy 52,802
- Phoebe 47,609
- Paige 24,717
- Penelope 13,109
- Pippa 6,346
- Polly 5,678
- Philippa 4,446
- Penny 4,394
- Paris 4,372
- Piper 3,961
- Pearl 3,516
- Paisley 3,419
FAQ
Phoibe: questions and answers
How popular is the name Phoibe in the UK right now?
In 2016, Phoibe was ranked #5785 for girls in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Phoibe most popular?
The peak year on record was 2014, with 3 babies registered as Phoibe in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Phoibe?
A feminine name of Greek origin meaning "shining" or "radiant".
How many people are called Phoibe in the UK?
A total of 6 babies have been registered as Phoibe across the 2 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here.
Which records is this page based on?
The England and Wales timeline uses ONS baby-name records. Scotland figures come from NRS and Northern Ireland figures come from NISRA. Counts are registrations in published baby-name files. The living estimate uses those birth registrations with ONS national life tables.