Phoebe is the Latinised form of the Greek name Phoibe (Φοίβη), which meant "bright" or "pure," from the Greek word phoibos (φοῖβος). It was adopted as an English name following the Protestant Reformation and was relatively common during the 19th century. It saw a revival in popularity in the late 20th century and continued to grow in popularity throughout the 21st.