Alban William Housego Phillips (18 November 1914 – 4 March 1975), commonly known as A. W. H. or "Bill" Phillips, was a New Zealand-born economist and engineer best known for formulating the Phillips curve, an empirical relationship observed in historical UK data showing an inverse correlation between unemployment rates and wage inflation.[1][2] His 1958 paper in Economica analyzed 1861–1913 data, suggesting a stable short-run tradeoff that influenced Keynesian policy prescriptions for stimulating employment via inflationary pressures.[1] Phillips also invented the MONIAC (Monetary National Income Analogue Computing Machine) in 1949, a pioneering hydraulic analog device that simulated macroeconomic flows of money and goods, demonstrating dynamic economic interactions through water and valves.[3]Early life and unconventional career. Born in Te Aroha, New Zealand, Phillips grew up on a farm and developed an early interest in engineering, studying electrical engineering at university before traveling widely, including stints as a crocodile hunter in China and a soap factory worker in Australia.[2] During World War II, he served as a tank commander and was captured by Japanese forces, enduring harsh captivity that affected his health but honed his problem-solving skills; post-war, he taught himself economics while recovering and enrolled at the London School of Economics (LSE), earning a PhD in 1953.[1][4] His interdisciplinary approach, blending engineering with economics, led to innovations like the MONIAC, built from scrap materials to visualize Keynesian multipliers and lags in a tangible, non-digital form—predating electronic computers for such simulations.[3]Influence and controversies. Phillips's curve gained prominence in the 1960s, underpinning expansionary policies in Western economies, but empirical breakdowns during the 1970s stagflation—simultaneous high inflation and unemployment—revealed limitations, as unanticipated policy shifts and adaptive expectations eroded the apparent tradeoff, prompting refinements like the expectations-augmented version emphasizing a vertical long-run curve.[5][6] Despite these challenges, rooted in first-hand data rather than theoretical assumption, his work highlighted causal links between labor markets and price dynamics, influencing central banking frameworks while underscoring the risks of treating observed correlations as enduring policy tools.[1] Phillips later contributed to stabilization policy models and econometric methods at LSE until health issues prompted his return to Australia in 1967.[2] His legacy endures in macroeconomic debates, where empirical scrutiny of tradeoffs remains central, often contrasting with institutional narratives favoring sustained intervention.[6]
Businesses
Energy sector
Phillips Petroleum Company was founded on November 13, 1917, by brothers Frank and L.E. Phillips in Bartlesville, Oklahoma, initially to develop oil leases in the mid-continent United States, marking the entry of the Phillips name into the energy industry through upstream production.[7] The company rapidly expanded into refining, with its first refinery operational by 1927 in Borger, Texas, and introduced the Phillips 66 brand as a trademark for high-octane gasoline tested at 66 mph on U.S. Route 66.[7] By the mid-20th century, Phillips had diversified into petrochemicals, natural gas processing, and international operations, achieving integrated energy operations with significant discoveries like the Hugoton natural gas field in 1941.[8]In 2002, Phillips Petroleum merged with Conoco Inc. to form ConocoPhillips, a global integrated energy firm emphasizing exploration, production, refining, and marketing, which temporarily consolidated Phillips' energy assets under a unified structure before separating upstream from downstream activities.[9] On April 30, 2012, ConocoPhillips spun off its downstream and chemicals businesses into the independent Phillips 66 Company, headquartered in Houston, Texas, to focus exclusively on refining, midstream logistics, marketing, and specialties, allowing specialized capital allocation in those segments.[7] As of 2025, Phillips 66 operates 12 refineries with a crude oil processing capacity of approximately 1.9 million barrels per day, primarily in the U.S., alongside midstream assets including over 7,000 miles of pipelines and natural gas liquids (NGL) fractionation facilities.[10][11]The company's chemicals segment operates through the Chevron Phillips Chemical joint venture, producing ethylene, propylene, and polyethylene with annual sales exceeding $15 billion as of recent reports, while its marketing arm distributes fuels under the 76, Conoco, and Phillips 66 brands at over 7,400 retail outlets.[10]Phillips 66 has increasingly pursued lower-carbon initiatives, including renewable diesel production at facilities like Rodeo in California (capacity 50,000 barrels per day since 2024 conversion) and investments in carbon capture, hydrogen, and battery technology research to align with energy transition demands.[12] In October 2025, Phillips 66 announced a binding open season with Kinder Morgan for the proposed Western Gateway Pipeline to transport crude from the Permian Basin, underscoring ongoing midstream expansion.[13] These operations employ about 13,200 people globally and generated $169.9 billion in revenue in 2024, positioning Phillips 66 as a key downstream player amid volatile oil markets and regulatory shifts.[11][14]
Service sector
Phillips Service Industries, Inc. (PSI), established in 1967, operates as a privately held global holding company focused on manufacturing and specialized services for high-technology sectors including aerospace, defense, energy, and medical applications.[15] The company oversees a portfolio of subsidiaries that deliver repair, semiconductor services, and advanced manufacturing solutions, such as electron beam additive manufacturing through Sciaky, Inc.[16] Its operations emphasize innovative technologies like rugged electronics, actuators, and automated assembly systems, with products and services distributed worldwide across land, sea, air, and space domains.[17][18]Key subsidiaries include PSI Repair Services, Inc., which specializes in industrial component repair and maintenance to extend equipment life in demanding environments, and PSI Semicon Services, Inc., providing precision services for semiconductor and related high-tech components.[19] These entities adhere to lean manufacturing principles to minimize waste and support global clients, though specific employee counts or revenue figures are not publicly detailed.[17] PSI's service model integrates design, production, and aftermarket support, positioning it as a provider of value-added solutions rather than primary goods production.[20]In the financial services subdomain, Phillips & Cohen Associates, Ltd. delivers targeted recovery services for financial institutions, including deceased account management and compassionate engagement protocols in the credit sector.[21] Operational for nearly three decades as of 2025, the firm recently restructured under PCA Services to enhance estate information and recovery operations.[22] Its approach prioritizes ethical collections, distinguishing it from broader debt recovery practices.[21]Phillips Edison & Company, a real estate investment trust formed to manage grocery-anchored shopping centers, provides integrated services in property leasing, management, and acquisitions across the United States.[23] As a fully internalized operator, it handles accounting, dispositions, and tenant relations in-house, serving the retail service ecosystem through stable, necessity-based commercial properties.[23] This model supports service-oriented real estate functions, with a focus on long-term value preservation amid economic shifts.[23]
Vehicle sector
Phillips Industries, a family-owned manufacturer of components for heavy-duty commercial vehicles, has operated for nearly a century in the trucking and trailer sector. Established in 1928 by H.W. Phillips as an auto and truck parts distributor in California, the company initially focused on distribution before expanding into design and production.[24] In 1936, Hugh Phillips patented the first reflective directional signal arm for trucks, marking an early innovation in vehicle signaling.[24] By 1968, Phillips introduced straight 7-way electrical assemblies, advancing connectivity in tractor-trailer systems.[25] Leadership transitioned to Bob Phillips in 1962, under whom the firm grew into a global supplier of interface equipment.[26]The company's core products include electrical connectors, air brake interfaces, and gladhands essential for safe and reliable operation of commercial trucks and trailers. These components facilitate power transfer, lighting, and braking systems, with designs emphasizing durability for long-haul applications. Phillips Industries maintains manufacturing operations configured to supply critical parts during disruptions, such as the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, underscoring their role in sustaining fleet uptime.[27]In recent years, Phillips has integrated telematics and smart technologies through subsidiaries like Phillips Connect, launched to provide real-time trailer data including GPS tracking, brake compliance monitoring, and predictive maintenance. The Smart7 integrated telematics hub aggregates sensor data from multiple manufacturers, enabling fleet operators to enhance safety and efficiency; by October 2023, Phillips Connect had delivered its 150,000th smart-trailer gateway.[28] Additionally, Phillips Innovations, formed in 2023, invests in electrification and sustainable energy solutions for trucks, such as solar power integrations, aligning with industry shifts toward reduced emissions.[29] Rob Phillips, current leader, received the 2023 Orange County Business Journal Innovator of the Year award for these advancements.[28]
People
Surname Phillips
Phillips is a patronymic surname denoting "son of Philip," primarily of English and Welsh origin.[30][31] The personal name Philip derives from the Greek Philippos, composed of philos ("friend" or "lover") and hippos ("horse"), thus meaning "lover of horses" or "friend of horses."[30][31] This etymology reflects the name's introduction via early Christian saints and apostles, such as Philip the Apostle, contributing to its adoption across Europe.[32]Early records trace the surname to medieval England, with the first known instances appearing in Kent during the 13th century, where families bearing the name were associated with local landholdings.[32] Legend attributes descent from Maximus, a Romano-British leader proclaimed emperor in 383 AD, though this lacks direct documentary support and stems from heraldic traditions.[32] The name spread through Wales, reinforced by patronymic naming practices among ancient Britons, and later migrated to other regions via Anglo-Norman influences.[33] In North America, it absorbed variants from Dutch, North German, and Ashkenazic Jewish contexts, reflecting immigration patterns from the 17th century onward.[34]Common spelling variants include Philips, Phillip, Phipps, Phelps, and Filip, arising from phonetic adaptations and regional dialects.[32] Globally, Phillips ranks as the 789th most common surname, borne by approximately 671,077 individuals, with the highest prevalence in the United States.[35] In England and Wales, it is the 43rd most frequent surname, showing concentrations in London (15% of occurrences in the 1891 census) and Glamorganshire, Wales (11%).[36] In the United States, it ranks 45th, comprising about 0.34% of the population as of recent genealogical data.[37]
Given name Phillips
Phillips is a masculine given name of English origin, derived from the patronymic surname Phillips, which denotes "son of Philip."<grok:render type="render_inline_citation">
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</grok:render> The root name Philip originates from the ancient Greek Φίλιππος (Philippos), composed of φίλος (philos, meaning "friend" or "lover") and ἵππος (hippos, meaning "horse"), thus signifying "lover of horses" or "friend of horses."<grok:render type="render_inline_citation">
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</grok:render> While predominantly a surname in English and Welsh contexts, Phillips has seen limited adoption as a given name, particularly in the United States, where it transitioned from familial naming conventions to occasional standalone use for boys.<grok:render type="render_inline_citation">
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</grok:render><grok:render type="render_inline_citation">
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</grok:render>Historical records indicate sparse but documented usage, often among individuals of Anglo-American heritage in the 19th and early 20th centuries.<grok:render type="render_inline_citation">
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</grok:render> Notable bearers include Phillips Brooks (December 13, 1835 – January 23, 1893), an influential American Episcopal bishop and preacher who composed the lyrics to the hymn "O Little Town of Bethlehem" in 1867 during a visit to Bethlehem, Palestine.<grok:render type="render_inline_citation">
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</grok:render> Another is E. Phillips Oppenheim (October 22, 1866 – February 3, 1946), a prolific English novelist known for over 150 suspense and spy thrillers, including The Great Impersonation (1920), which sold millions of copies and influenced the genre.<grok:render type="render_inline_citation">
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</grok:render> These examples reflect the name's rarity, with contemporary baby name databases ranking it outside the top 1,000 in U.S. popularity metrics as of recent years.<grok:render type="render_inline_citation">
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Places
In Canada
Nathan Phillips Square in Toronto, Ontario, serves as the forecourt to City Hall and functions as a central public space for events, attracting over 1.8 million visitors each year.[38]Phillips Square in downtown Montreal, Quebec, originated in 1842 from a land gift by Thomas Phillips to the city, stipulated for park use in a then-wealthy residential district that later developed into a commercial hub; it centers on a monument to King Edward VII.[39][40]Additional locations include Philips Head, a designated place in Newfoundland and Labrador with 151 residents recorded in the 2016 census, reflecting a 6.8% decline from 162 in 2011.[41]Phillips Peninsula lies in Manitoba at approximately 55° 3′ 47″ N, 100° 55′ 46″ W.[42]Phillips Lake, a medium-sized body of water in northern Saskatchewan, supports fishing for species including lake trout, northern pike, and walleye.[43][44]
In the United States
Phillips, Wisconsin, is a city and the county seat of Price County in northern Wisconsin. Established in 1876 and named after Elijah B. Phillips, the general manager of the Wisconsin Central Railroad, it had a population of 1,533 according to the 2020 United States census. The city serves as a hub for the surrounding northwoods region, supporting industries such as manufacturing, forestry, and tourism, with access to the Phillips Chain of Lakes for recreational activities including boating and fishing.[45]Phillips, Maine, is a town in Franklin County, incorporated on February 25, 1812, and named after William Phillips, a proprietor of the land grant. Its 2020 population was 898, reflecting a rural community along the Sandy River known for agriculture, historical sites, and outdoor pursuits like hiking and heritage railroading via the Sandy River and Rangeley Lakes Railroad. The town's economy historically relied on fertile soils for farming and logging, with ongoing emphasis on preserving its natural landscape.[46]In Oklahoma, Phillips is a small town in Coal County, originating as a coal mining camp around 1900 along the Missouri, Kansas and Texas Railway and named for Henry L. Phillips, a local mine operator. The population stood at 125 in the 2020 census, following a decline after mine closures in 1921 that shifted the local economy toward limited agriculture and services.[47]Phillips, Texas, developed as an oil boomtown in Hutchinson County, initially settled in 1926 as Pantex following oil discoveries, and renamed Phillips in 1938 after merging with nearby Whittenburg. It peaked in the 1950s with a population supporting refineries and schools before becoming a ghost town by the 1990s due to industry consolidation and urban flight to Borger.[48]Dr. Phillips, Florida, is an affluent unincorporated community and census-designated place in Orange County, southwest of Orlando, named for citrus pioneer Dr. Philip Phillips who acquired extensive groves in the early 20th century. The area had approximately 12,458 residents in recent estimates, featuring upscale residences, golf courses, and commercial districts near theme parks, with development accelerating after Phillips sold land to Minute Maid in the 1950s.[49]
In outer space
Phillips is the name of two prominent impact craters located on the Moon and Mars, as designated by the International Astronomical Union (IAU) through the United States Geological Survey's Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.[50][51]On the Moon, Phillips crater is situated near the southeastern limb at coordinates 26.57° S latitude and 75.67° E longitude, with a diameter of 104.21 km.[50] It is named after John Phillips (1800–1874), a Britishgeologist and astronomer known for his contributions to paleontology and geology, including early work on stratigraphic correlation and estimates of Earth's age.[50] The name was approved by the IAU in 1935, drawing from earlier lunar nomenclature compilations.[50] The crater features a rugged rim and interior, with satellite craters including Phillips A through H and W, some of which exhibit ray systems indicative of relatively fresh impacts.[50]On Mars, Phillips crater lies in the Mare Australe quadrangle at 66.34° S latitude and 315.11° E longitude (equivalent to 44.89° W), measuring 185.45 km in diameter.[51] This larger feature honors both John Phillips (1800–1874) and his nephew Theodore E. Phillips (1868–1942), a British astronomer who advanced observational techniques in spectroscopy and stellar classification.[51] Approved by the IAU in 1973, the crater is characterized by its location in the southern highlands, with potential infilling from ancient volcanic or sedimentary processes common in that region, though detailed subsurface data from missions like Mars Global Surveyor indicate varied topography.[51]
Science and technology
Engineering and inventions
The Phillips screw drive system, characterized by its cruciform recess, was originally conceived by inventor John P. Thompson of Portland, Oregon, who filed a patent for a recessed screw head in 1932 (U.S. Patent No. 1,908,080).[52]Thompson's design aimed to address limitations of the slotted screw, such as slippage under torque, by providing multiple contact points for the driver.[53]In 1933, businessman Henry F. Phillips (1889–1958) acquired the rights to Thompson's invention and refined it through iterative engineering, introducing a self-centering geometry and intentional "cam-out" feature to prevent overtightening and stripping during high-speed assembly.[54] Phillips incorporated the Phillips Screw Company in 1934 to license and manufacture the system, with production scaling via partners like the American Screw Company.[55] The design's four symmetrical arms distributed torque more evenly than flathead screws, enabling faster insertion and removal—up to twice the speed in automated lines—while reducing worker injury from slipping tools.[52]Commercial adoption accelerated in 1936 when General Motors selected Phillips screws for chassis assembly on Cadillac and LaSalle models, marking the first widespread use in automotive manufacturing and boosting production efficiency by minimizing alignment issues.[53] By World War II, the U.S. military standardized Phillips drives for aircraft production, such as in B-17 bombers, where over 1,000 screws per plane facilitated rapid wartime scaling; this contributed to the system's global dominance, with billions produced annually by the 1940s.[55][54]In prosthetics engineering, Van Phillips developed the Flex-Foot in the early 1980s, a carbon-fiber keel prosthetic leg that mimics natural gait by flexing like a leaf spring to store and release kinetic energy, improving mobility for above-knee amputees.[56] Patented in 1984 (U.S. Patent No. 4,645,501), it outperformed rigid pylons in energy return—up to 90% efficiency in biomechanical tests—and was commercialized through Flex-Foot Inc., influencing standards like those from the International Society for Prosthetics and Orthotics.[56] Phillips' design emphasized lightweight materials and tunable stiffness, enabling athletes like amputee sprinters to achieve elite performance, as evidenced by its use in Paralympic competitions starting in the 1990s.[56]
Economic concepts
The Phillips curve refers to the inverse empirical relationship between the unemployment rate and the rate of change in money wages, as identified by New Zealand economist A. W. H. Phillips in his 1958 analysis of Britishdata spanning 1861 to 1957.[57] Phillips plotted annual unemployment percentages against corresponding percentage changes in nominal wage rates, observing a nonlinear curve where lower unemployment correlated with higher wage inflation, fitted statistically to the data with a high degree of accuracy (correlation coefficient of approximately -0.74 for the peacetime subset).[58] This finding suggested a short-run trade-off driven by labor market dynamics, such as excess demand for labor pushing up wages when unemployment fell below equilibrium levels.[5]In the 1960s, economists like Paul Samuelson and Robert Solow extended Phillips's wage-inflation insight to price inflation, interpreting it as a stable menu of policy choices for governments: accepting higher inflation to reduce unemployment or vice versa.[59] This "naive" Phillips curve influenced macroeconomic policy, particularly in the United States, where it underpinned expansionary fiscal and monetary measures under the assumption of an exploitable trade-off; for instance, U.S. unemployment averaged 4.8% from 1965 to 1969 amid rising inflation, seemingly validating the model temporarily.[60] However, the framework's policy implications rested on an empirical correlation rather than a derived theoretical mechanism, overlooking adaptive expectations and supply-side factors.[61]The apparent stability shattered during the 1970s stagflation, when oil shocks and other supply disruptions produced simultaneous high unemployment (peaking at 9% in the U.S. in 1975) and high inflation (over 10% annually), invalidating the fixed trade-off.[5]Milton Friedman and Edmund Phelps independently argued in 1968 that workers' expectations of inflation adjust over time, shifting the curve upward and rendering any long-run trade-off illusory; unemployment cannot be held below the natural rate (estimated around 4-6% in modern contexts) without accelerating inflation indefinitely, as per the vertical long-run Phillips curve at the natural rate hypothesis.[59] Robert Lucas's 1976 critique further undermined policy reliance on the curve by highlighting the Lucas critique: rational agents alter behavior in response to policy changes, making historical correlations unreliable for forward-looking interventions.[62]Contemporary formulations, such as the expectations-augmented or New Keynesian Phillips curve, incorporate forward-looking inflation expectations, output gaps, and nominal rigidities like staggered price-setting (e.g., Calvo models).[63] These predict a short-run downward-sloping curve due to temporary misperceptions or stickiness, but empirical evidence since the 1990s shows a flattening slope—e.g., U.S. data from 1990-2019 indicate minimal inflation response to unemployment deviations—attributed to globalization, central bank credibility anchoring expectations, and demographic shifts reducing labor bargaining power.[64] Critics from monetarist and Austrian perspectives maintain the curve's policy guidance remains flawed, as sustained low unemployment (e.g., below 4% in 2019 U.S.) has not triggered the predicted inflation surge, underscoring that monetary policy cannot systematically engineer real outcomes like employment without supply-side distortions.[59][62]
Educational institutions
Secondary schools
Phillips Academy Andover, founded in 1778 by Samuel Phillips Jr. in Andover, Massachusetts, operates as an independent coeducational secondary school offering both boarding and day options for grades 9 through 12 and a postgraduate year.[65] It enrolls approximately 1,150 students from 41 U.S. states and territories and 53 countries, with 61% students of color and an 18% international population, maintained by 244 teaching faculty at a 7:1 student-to-faculty ratio.[66] The school provides 300 courses, including eight world languages and 150 electives, supported by a $1.47 billion endowment as of June 2025.[66]Phillips Exeter Academy, established in 1781 by John Phillips in Exeter, New Hampshire, functions as an independent coeducational secondary school with primarily boarding enrollment for grades 9 through 12 and postgraduate studies.[67] It had 1,106 students in the 2024-25 academic year, including 895 boarders and 211 day students, utilizing the Harkness method for discussion-based learning in classes averaging 12 students with a 5:1 student-teacher ratio.[67] The 700-acre campus includes the world's largest high school library and emphasizes need-blind admissions with significant financial aid distribution.[68]Wendell Phillips Academy High School, a public institution in Chicago's Bronzeville neighborhood, opened on September 4, 1904, initially serving predominantly white students before becoming the city's oldest predominantly African-American high school.[69] It focuses on rigorous academics and post-secondary preparation within Chicago Public Schools.[70]Dr. Phillips High School, a public school in Orlando, Florida, under Orange County Public Schools, began operations in 1987 and enrolls 3,042 students in grades 9-12 with a 23:1 student-teacher ratio.[71] The school emphasizes college-level courses through dual enrollment programs.[72]Phillips High School forms part of the public School District of Phillips in Phillips, Wisconsin, serving secondary students within a K-12 system committed to educational excellence.[73]
Other institutions
Phillips Community College of the University of Arkansas operates as a multi-campus, two-year public institution serving eastern Arkansas, with primary locations in Helena-West Helena, DeWitt, and Stuttgart; it offers associate degrees, technical certificates, and workforce training programs focused on fields such as nursing, business, and agriculture.[74] The college enrolls approximately 2,000 students annually and emphasizes accessible education for local communities, including online courses and dual enrollment options for high school students.[75]Phillips Theological Seminary, situated in Tulsa, Oklahoma, delivers graduate-level theological education affiliated with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ and other denominations; it traces its origins to the Graduate Seminary of Phillips University, receiving accreditation from the Association of Theological Schools in 1951.[76] The seminary provides master’s and doctoral degrees in ministry, theology, and biblical studies, with an enrollment of around 100 students and a curriculum emphasizing practical skills for contemporary religious leadership.[77]Phillips Graduate University, located in Chatsworth, California, functions as a private institution offering specialized graduate programs in organizational management, psychology, and marriage and family therapy; it targets working professionals with flexible, real-world-oriented training.[78] Established to address practical educational needs, the university reported concentrations in psychology-related fields as its primary focus in recent enrollment data.[79]Phillips University, a former private liberal arts college in Enid, Oklahoma, operated from 1906 until its closure in 1998 due to financial difficulties; it was affiliated with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and emphasized holistic student development through knowledge acquisition and ethical decision-making.[80]
Other uses
Media and entertainment
Captain Phillips is a 2013 biographical action film directed by Paul Greengrass, depicting the 2009 hijacking of the U.S. cargo ship Maersk Alabama by Somali pirates and the rescue of its captain, Richard Phillips, portrayed by Tom Hanks.[81]
Trevor Phillips is a central character in the 2013 video game Grand Theft Auto V, developed by Rockstar North and published by Rockstar Games; he is depicted as a volatile methamphetamine manufacturer, arms trafficker, and member of a criminal enterprise operating in the fictional state of San Andreas.[82]
Sid Phillips serves as the primary human antagonist in the 1995 Pixar animated film Toy Story, characterized as a destructive boy who dismembers and modifies toys, unaware they are sentient.[83]
Wilson Phillips was an American pop vocal trio active from 1989 to 1993 and reuniting periodically thereafter, consisting of Chynna Phillips, Carnie Wilson, and Wendy Wilson; their debut album, released in 1990, sold over 5 million copies in the United States and featured hits like "Hold On" and "Release Me."[84]
Phillip Phillips (born September 20, 1990) gained prominence as the winner of the eleventh season of the reality television series American Idol in 2012, subsequently releasing the hit single "Home," which topped the Billboard Hot 100 for 56 non-consecutive weeks and achieved diamond certification by the RIAA.[85]
Miscellaneous
Phillips is a patronymic surname primarily of English and Welsh origin, denoting "son of Philip." The given name Philip derives from the ancient Greek Φίλιππος (Philippos), a compound of φίλος (philos), meaning "friend" or "lover," and ἵππος (hippos), meaning "horse," thus translating to "lover of horses" or "friend of horses."[31][86][87]The surname has also appeared in Dutch, North German, and western Ashkenazic Jewish contexts as a variant patronymic from the same personal name.[34] In historical records dating to the medieval period, it emerged from the Latinized form Philippus in England, with early concentrations noted in Wales and southern England.[33]By the 1891 census in England and Wales, Phillips families showed highest densities in London (15% of occurrences) and Glamorganshire, Wales (11%), reflecting patterns of industrial migration and urbanization.[36] Variants include Philips, Philipp, and Philippson, though Phillips remains the predominant spelling in English-speaking regions.[35]