📖 About Philippa
Philippa is the feminine form of Philip, from the Greek Philippos meaning "lover of horses." Carried by medieval queens including Philippa of Hainault and Philippa of Lancaster — whose marriage to King João I of Portugal cemented the historic Anglo-Portuguese alliance — the name has long been associated with nobility, grace, and diplomatic influence. It remains a quietly distinguished choice in the UK, Australia, and Portugal, where the variant Filipa is also widely used.
📍 Details
- OriginPortuguese
- Gender♀ Female
- MeaningVariant of Filipa. Lover of horses
🔀 Variants & Related Names
⭐ Famous People
- Philippa of Hainault — Queen of England (1328–1369) as wife of King Edward III; admired for her clemency, including her legendary intercession for the Burghers of Calais.
- Philippa of Lancaster — Queen of Portugal (1387–1415) as wife of King João I; daughter of John of Gaunt, she helped cement the Anglo-Portuguese alliance and was mother to the explorers of the Age of Discovery.
- Philippa Gregory — British historical novelist best known for The Other Boleyn Girl and the Plantagenet series; one of the UK's best-selling fiction authors.
- Philippa Boyens — New Zealand screenwriter who co-wrote the Lord of the Rings and Hobbit trilogies with Peter Jackson; won the Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay.