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♀ Phoebe
What does Phoebe mean?
Phoebe 
▲ as a girls' name is pronounced FEE-bee. It is of Greek origin, and the meaning of Phoebe is "bright, radiant". Biblical: a Christian woman who aided Paul and others. Greek mythology: a reference to Phoebus Apollo, the god of light. Name of the first flycatcher to migrate to Wisconsin each spring. The bird gets its name from its call which is a sharp "Phoebe!". The name became more common in the 18th century and is familiar in modern times due to the fictional character Phoebe Buffay on the "Friends" TV series. Singers Phoebe Legere, Phoebe Snow. Also form of Euphemia.
STARTS WITH Ph-
ASSOCIATED WITH greek, biblical, mythology, spring, bird, 18th century, modern, fictional (literary), snow (white)
Variations
VARIANTS Febe, Pheabe, Phebe▼, Pheby, Phoebey, Phoeboe
SEE ALSO Fiby
MASCULINE FORM Phoebus
CREATIVE FORMS(female)
(male)
MIDDLE NAME PAIRINGS
Phoebe Remy (P.R.), ..
How popular is Phoebe?
Phoebe is a very popular first name for females (#949 out of 4276, Top 22%) but a rare last name for all people. (2000 U.S. DEMOGRAPHICS)
Phoebe reached its highest position of #246 in the U.S. in the 1880s, and is at #320 presently. (2018 U.S. SSA RECORDS)
Which version is better?
Popular alternative forms of Phoebe (#320 IN 2018) appearing in the Top 2000 are Euphemia and Phebe. Adoption of these forms of Phoebe was widespread among parents during the years 1880-1889 (AVERAGE #537) and is almost as widespread today (#1440, ▼12%), but with the form Phebe becoming somewhat outmoded. Phoebe is the clear favorite.
Similar Names
Recommended sound-alike names are Bebe, Bobbe, Hebe, Niobe, Peele, Penee, Phaedre, Phanie, Phedre, Phemie, Philene, Phoenix▲, Pipere, Thisbe and Tobe. These names tend to be less commonly used than Phoebe.
See names in meaning and etymology.[Top]