WP didn't made php popular as it was already #1 choice for entry level web developers and had active helpful community (all webmaster forums had a php or simila

WP didn't made php popular as it was already #1 choice for entry level web developers and had active helpful community (all webmaster forums had a php or similar section), something which other languages lacked. Wordpress became huge because it is modular, plug and play and the go to choice for beginners. Not to mention, it is also a huge marketplace and tens of thousands of people make money creating themes, PSD, custom design, plugins etc.