Phoebe is a popular choice in the UK, ranked #17 in 2024. There's a good chance they'll share their name with at least one classmate throughout school.
Origin & Meaning
Greek — Bright, shining; Titan goddess of the moon
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UK Rank 2024
#17
US Rank #183
About the Name Phoebe
2024 marks Phoebe's peak year in UK records so far, sitting at UK #17. It has been building momentum steadily rather than spiking suddenly. The name has been a consistent presence in UK records since 1996. It has spent 29 of the last 29 years inside the UK top 100 — a mark of enduring mainstream appeal.
Etymologically, Phoebe comes from Greek, where it means "Bright, shining; Titan goddess of the moon". Names with strong etymological stories tend to age well — they carry weight beyond fashion cycles.
Phoebe is distinctive enough that your child will likely be the only one in both their class and their school — standing out on every register.
In the US it sits at #183 — notably more popular in the UK than across the Atlantic.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about the name Phoebe
Unlikely. With around 1,549 UK babies named Phoebe per year, your child will almost certainly be the only Phoebe in her class, and possibly the only one in the whole school.
Phoebe has held a stable position around #17 for several years. It reached its recorded peak of #17 in 2024 and has maintained consistent levels since — suggesting lasting rather than trend-driven appeal.
The name Phoebe has Greek origins and means "Bright, shining; Titan goddess of the moon". Names with clear etymological roots tend to age well — they carry weight beyond fashion cycles and give children a story to tell about their name.
Notable people named Phoebe include: Phoebe Russell — Phoebe Russell) is an Australian classical double bass player.; Phoebe Dahl — Phoebe Patricia Faircloth, known professionally as Phoebe Dahl, is an American fashion designer.; Phoebe Litchfield — Phoebe Elizabeth Susan Litchfield is an Australian international cricketer who plays as a left-handed batter representing Australia in all three formats of the....
Phoebe appears in the US top 500 at #183 in 2024 — moderately popular in America, though less so than in the UK.
1,549
UK babies named Phoebe (2024)
~0.0
Expected classmates with this name (class of 28)
~0.8
In a school of 600
↑ 8 places
Rank change (last 5 years)
🏫 Who else is in the room?
In a typical UK class of 28, highlighted children share the name Phoebe
Likely around 1 other Phoebe in the class
UK Popularity (1996–2024)
Rank and birth count · ONS official data
US Popularity (2020–2024)
Rank · SSA official data
✨ Similar names to Phoebe
Names with a similar style — each with their own classroom story
Phoebe Elizabeth Susan Litchfield is an Australian international cricketer who plays as a left-handed batter representing Australia in all three formats of the game. She plays for the New South Wales Breakers in the Women's National Cricket League (WNCL) and captains the Sydney Thunder in the Women's Big Bash League (WBBL).
Phoebe Sarah Nicholls is an English actress. She is most notable for her roles as Cordelia Flyte in Brideshead Revisited, and as the mother of John Merrick in The Elephant Man.
Phoebe Cary was an American poet, and the younger sister of poet Alice Cary. The sisters co-published poems in 1849, and then each went on to publish volumes of their own.
Phoebe Palmer was a Methodist evangelist and writer who promoted the doctrine of Christian perfection. She is considered one of the founders of the Holiness movement within Methodist Christianity.
Phoebe Hoban is an American journalist perhaps known best for her biographies of the artists Jean Michel Basquiat and Alice Neel. As a print journalist Hoban has penned articles on culture and the arts for Vogue, Vanity Fair, GQ, Harper's Bazaar, New York Magazine, The New York Times, Riot Material Magazine, ARTnews, and numerous other periodicals.
Phoebe Adele Gates is an American entrepreneur, women's health advocate, and social media influencer. The youngest of the three children of Bill Gates and Melinda French Gates, she is recognized for her work in sustainable fashion, reproductive rights, and public health.
Phoebe Campbell is an English actor known for playing Rhaena Targaryen in the HBO fantasy series House of the Dragon. Campbell's previous work includes a role on the British TV show Midsomer Murders and the role of Cecily Cardew in a 2022 production of The Importance of Being Earnest.