Declining since 2010, #5,554 for girls today.
Popularity of Phebe since 1880
Babies named Phebe per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 2011, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Phebe's real moment was 1885.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 201 |
| 1890s | 181 |
| 1900s | 127 |
| 1910s | 244 |
| 1920s | 238 |
| 1930s | 191 |
| 1940s | 189 |
| 1950s | 132 |
| 1960s | 147 |
| 1970s | 167 |
| 1980s | 139 |
| 1990s | 169 |
| 2000s | 324 |
| 2010s | 348 |
| 2020s | 161 |
Meaning & origin
Phebe is a historic spelling of Phoebe that saw its peak usage in 1885, when it ranked in the top 1,500 names. Since 2010, its trajectory has been falling, and it currently ranks 5,554 as of 2025. Despite its decline, the name carries mythological and literary resonance: it appears in the King James Bible and works of Edmund Spenser. The spelling Phebe was especially common in the 19th century, but the modern form Phoebe is far more prevalent today. Parents choosing Phebe may appreciate its connection to the Greek Titaness of prophecy and the moon, as well as its distinctive, old-fashioned feel. With an incidence of 1 in 73,058 newborns, it remains a rare but recognizable choice.
Phebe is a variant spelling of Phoebe, derived from the Greek φοῖβος (phoibos) meaning 'bright, radiant'. In Greek mythology, Phoebe was a Titaness associated with the moon and prophecy. The spelling Phebe was common in English until the 19th century, appearing in the King James Bible and being used by poets such as Edmund Spenser.
Nicknames & variants
Sibling names for Phebe
Names that share Phebe's style, for a brother or sister.
