Past posts have explored many a daring ends-in-o name for babies, including gems like Primo and Cosmo. This one brings to mind an ancient philosopher, sweet treats and the inventor of the television.
Thanks to Emmy Jo for suggesting the eclectic Philo as Name of the Day.
The original Philo was a first century philosopher. Some credit Philo with laying the groundwork for much of Christian thinking, by combining the Hebrew Bible with Greek philosophy. While he left behind extensive writings, he’s no Aristotle or Plato. (Hmm … there’s another ends-in-o option!)
Pronounced FYE loh, the name was worn by other notables in ancient times, including a historian, an engineer and a few other philosophers. You probably recognize his roots. The Greek phileo means to love and lives on in English – philately is a passion for postage stamps; Philadelphia is the city of brotherly love.
Philon is a related name, sometimes found in Ancient Greece. There are two possible pronunciations. The first, fee lon, suggests cats or possibly that old Simon & Garfunkel chorus. Ba da, ba da, ba da, ba da … feelin’ groovy. The other option, fil on, is a smidge better but sounds as if his full name could be Philon The Blank.
As for the sweet treats, this name might remind you of phyllo dough, but in fact the words are unrelated. Phyllo dough takes its name from the Greek word phyllon – leaf.
If you’re a fan of early 20th century detective stores, you might recognize Philo Vance, the fictional detective created by SS Van Dine. Van Dine described his hero as “an aristocrat by birth and instinct.” There were even radio and movie adaptations, with Basil Rathbone – the future Sherlock Holmes – playing Vance.
In Jim Henson’s Fraggle Rock, Philo and Gunge lived on the trash heap. And in 1978, Clint Eastwood played Philo Beddoe in Every Which Way but Loose. That’s right – Dirty Harry once shared the screen with an orangutan named Clyde.
But the most famous Philo was an Idaho farm boy with a knack for all things electronic. Born in 1906, Philo T. Farnsworth was named after his grandfather, a man who headed west in the company of Mormon leader Brigham Young.
He studied briefly at Brigham Young University. By 1927, he’d transmitted the first television image – a dollar sign. While Farnsworth was a technological pioneer, he once said of his invention: There’s nothing on it worthwhile, and we’re not going to watch it in this household, and I don’t want it in your intellectual diet.
Of course, that was before Top Chef debuted on Bravo.
RCA’s cathode ray tube technology would ultimately prove more successful, but Farnsworth went on to invent dozens more gadgets and gizmos over the course of his career.
How did he feel about his name? Throughout his adult life, Philo answered to Phil.
And that might be the best option, should Philo charm you – use him as an unconventional nickname for Philip.
Philo was my great-grandfather. I never met him — all I know about him was that he was a Japanese prisoner of war during WWII.
I’m not planning to use the name — I have a weird thing against O-enders on boys — but if I didn’t dislike them I’d think Philo was pretty cool! 🙂
I like Philo in theory: he sounds really jazzy and upbeat, yet isn’t flying away or sounding too modern. However, all I think of is pastry and Fido?Automatically off the list, ’cause all I’d think about were spanakopitas and puppies.
I could probably get past all of that if it were in the middle – he’d compliment a range of names nicely! But overall, I agree with Bek – it’s a great name for a pet!
I like Philo. It’s definitely jaunty, and totally usable, I think. Thumbs up from me!
Hello all, this is Lydia, posting on my new WordPress username. I have decided to hop on the bandwagon and get me an onomastics blog, so, if you care to, stop on by and let me know what you think: https://lydiamay.wordpress.com/ . It’s not much yet, but I like to think that it will be soon.
/shameless plug
He’s wonderful! 🙂 I really like him and am always suggesting Philo when someone’s looking for a jaunty name. I wish I could use Philo, But it makes my ex-miltitary sweetie think of Wilco, *sigh* weird associations that man has! Philp’s aces in my book, what a great way to get Phil (I like Phil) yet be cooler in full that even Philip?
Jaunty little number isn’t he?! He incorporates two elements I love (and in such a short name!), he begins with the gorgeously warm ‘fe/phe’ sound like Phoebe, Felix, Felicity and Philippa and ends in the sprightly ‘O’ – like the aforementioned Milo or Arlo, Leo and Hugo. Philo’s definitely got a lot of spirit but he’s a bit short on substance to ever be a real contender for me.
I want to like Philo, especially considering I adore Philomena, and the not too far off Phillipa, but his proximity to phyllo has me craving Greek food all day long.
To be honest, I could see this as a cool name for a pet. It’s a name that’s pretty snazzy, and I like it, but I’d never have the guts to saddle it on a human. Goldfishy Philo, I’m waiting for you…
Lydia, nice point about Milo!
Kylie, thanks for the correction. I’m making the change. Given my TV watching habits, I might need to make a pilgrimage to your hometown! 🙂
Philo T. Farnsworth actually lived in Idaho – about 15 minutes from where I grew up – when the TV was invented. There is an awful sign on the side of the freeway as you enter their town with the words “Easy off, Easy on,” (under the smaller words “The Birthplace of Television”) printed on it. I guess I could never quite get past that association enough to name my own child Philo, but I would be intrigued to hear it on someone else’s little boy.
Do you still need boy names? Could I suggest Cedric as an option?
I love, love, LOVE the name Philo. He’s one of my favorite philosophers–a fascinating and brilliant man. I think it would be fine to use him in full. He rhymes with Milo, making him fit in ust enough while still comfortably standing out from the crowd. He’s so much fun to say–and to yell. He’s the perfect blend of happy and serious; his sound is all bouncy and fun, but his namesake keeps him perfectly grounded. He’s been #2 on my short list for months now, and he’s there to stay.