how to check if xml file has more than one child values using php

i have xml file $file.xml which includes the following

<?xml version="1.0"?>
<names><name>name1</name><name>name2</name><name>name3</name></names>

i need a way to check if <names> has more than one child <name> meaning that if the file has more than <name>name1</name> whick means that if <name>name2</name> or more exist to call a function.

Thanks in advance