Phoebe
FEE-bee /ˈfiː.bi/
Meaning of Phoebe
Phoebe comes from the Ancient Greek Φοίβη (Phoibē), the feminine of Phoibos — 'bright' or 'radiant.' In classical mythology, Phoebe is a Titan associated with the moon. In the New Testament (Romans 16:1), Phoebe is named as a deacon of the church at Cenchreae, which kept the name in Christian use. The TV series Friends (1994–2004) and the character Phoebe Buffay gave it significant modern visibility.
Current popularity of Phoebe
Rankings from the most recent fully-published year in each national registry. Source links at the foot of the page.
| Registry | Year | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| United States (SSA) | 2024 | #130 |
| United Kingdom (ONS) | 2024 | #32 |
Notable bearers of Phoebe
Phoebe (Greek Titan); Phoebe (Romans 16:1, New Testament deacon); Phoebe Buffay (Friends); Phoebe Bridgers (musician).
Similar names & variants
Cognates, spelling variants and close relatives. Click any name with an underline to read its own page.
Sibling-name suggestions
Names that pair stylistically with Phoebe — useful as middle names or for siblings.
About this entry
Compiled by the Baby Name Finder editorial team following the rules in our Methodology and Editorial guidelines. If you spot an error, please tell us; our corrections policy is at /editorial-guidelines#corrections.
Sources
Last reviewed: 2026-05-31