The namePenelope
Penelope is a girl's name of Greek origin, the name of the faithful wife of Ulysses. It became a top 30 name in the United States in the 2010s.
- Girl's name
- Greek
Meaning
Penelope comes from the Greek Pēnelopē, often linked to pēnē, "thread" or "weft", or to a kind of duck. Its meaning is discussed.
Origin
Greek. In Homer's Odyssey, Penelope waits twenty years for Odysseus, weaving by day and unweaving by night a shroud to keep her suitors at bay.
History
Penelope was used in England from the 16th century. It returned to fashion in the 2010s, helped by celebrity babies and the actress Penélope Cruz. Penny is its short form.
Did you know?
- In the Odyssey, Penelope unpicks every night the shroud she weaves by day, to keep her suitors waiting.
- Penélope Cruz became the first Spanish actress to win an Oscar, in 2009.
Famous people named Penelope
- Penelope, heroine of the Odyssey
- Penélope Cruz, actress
- Penelope Fitzgerald, novelist
- Penelope Keith, actress
Popularity of the name Penelope
Penelope in the United States
Penelope was most popular in the United States in the 2010s, with 47,634 births over the decade, 46% of all recorded babies named Penelope. Its rise began around 1944, and it peaked in 2019. Half of all babies named Penelope in the United States were born before 2016, so it is mostly a name of today's children and teenagers. Over the last five years on record, its popularity has held steady at around 6,154 births a year.
Penelope in the United Kingdom
Penelope was most popular in the United Kingdom in the 2020s, with 7,298 births over the decade, 48% of all recorded babies named Penelope. Its rise began around 2009, and it peaked in 2022. Half of all babies named Penelope in the United Kingdom were born before 2019, so it is mostly a name of today's children and teenagers. Over the last five years on record, its popularity has held steady at around 1,244 births a year.
Penelope in France
Sibling names for Penelope
Names from the same generation as Penelope, whose popularity in the United States has followed a similar path.
How many people are named Penelope? See the counter → · What would your name be in 1950? · Name origin quiz
Compare Penelope with another name
Meaning, origin and popularity of Penelope side by side with the name of your choice.
Penelope in our baby name lists
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Penelope mean?
Penelope comes from the Greek Pēnelopē, often linked to pēnē, "thread" or "weft", or to a kind of duck. Its meaning is discussed.
What is the origin of the name Penelope?
Greek. In Homer's Odyssey, Penelope waits twenty years for Odysseus, weaving by day and unweaving by night a shroud to keep her suitors at bay.
Is Penelope a girl's or a boy's name?
Penelope is a girl's name.
How popular is the name Penelope?
In 2024, Penelope was the 28th most popular name for baby girls in the United States, with 5,741 births.
What are good sibling names for Penelope?
Names from the same generation, with a similar popularity in the United States: Aria, Scarlett, Nora and Cora for a sister, Everett, Lincoln, Grayson and Greyson for a brother.
Who are famous people named Penelope?
Penelope, heroine of the Odyssey; Penélope Cruz, actress; Penelope Fitzgerald, novelist; Penelope Keith, actress.