Of Greek origin.
Derives from the name “Φοίβη”, pronounced Phoibe.
In ancient and modern Greek the word “φοίβος”, pronounced phoibos, means “clean”, “pure”, “bright”.
There is, also, the masculine form of the name, Φοίβος (Phoibos).
Phoebe, in Greek mythology, was the Titan goddess of radiance and brightness.
She was often associated with the goddess of moon Selene.
Latin authors referred to Phoebe as the goddess of the moon, confusing her with her granddaughter Artemis, who was also called Phoebe.
She became a prophet at the Oracle of Delphi and later gave her place to her grandson, the god Apollo.
The name was also mentioned by the Apostle Paul in his Epistle to the Romans.
Saturn’s moon, discovered in 1899, is named Phoebe. It was the first satellite of a planet that was discovered by a photograph.
Scientific evidence showed that Phoebe was formed somewhere else in the solar system and was later caught by Saturn’s gravitational pull.
The name Phoebe was used in England only after the Protestant Reformation.
Variants of the name are Febe, Phoibe, Pheobe.
Phoebe is also a very popular fictional character from the TV sitcom “Friends”, portrayed by Lisa Kudrow, from 1994 to 2004.
Phoebe is a popular name in England and Wales, Northern Ireland and Australia.
Famous bearers are Phoebe Nicholls, Phoebe Thomas, Phoebe Philo, Phoebe Cates, Phoebe Tonkin, Phoebe Kreutz.