The namePeter
Peter is a boy's name of Greek origin meaning "rock". The name of the first apostle, it is a timeless classic.
- Boy's name
- Greek
- Feast day
Meaning
Peter comes from the Greek petros, "rock, stone", a translation of the Aramaic kepha, the name Jesus gave to Simon.
Origin
Greek. Saint Peter, leader of the apostles, is seen by Catholics as the first pope.
History
Peter was very common in medieval England and again in the mid 20th century, reaching the American top 40. Peter Pan, the boy who never grew up, and Peter Rabbit are famous characters. Pete is its short form, Pierre, Pedro and Pietro its forms in other languages.
Did you know?
- J. M. Barrie gave the rights to Peter Pan to Great Ormond Street children's hospital in London.
- Beatrix Potter's The Tale of Peter Rabbit was first published in 1902.
Famous people named Peter
- Saint Peter the Apostle
- Peter the Great, Tsar of Russia
- Peter Pan, J. M. Barrie's hero
- Peter Sellers, actor
Popularity of the name Peter
Peter in the United States
Peter was most popular in the United States in the 1950s, with 102,938 births over the decade, 17% of all recorded babies named Peter. Its rise began around 1912, and it peaked in 1957. Half of all babies named Peter in the United States were born before 1961, although it is popular again today. Over the last five years on record, its popularity has held steady at around 1,793 births a year.
Peter in the United Kingdom
Peter was most popular in the United Kingdom in the 2000s, with 6,425 births over the decade, 42% of all recorded babies named Peter. Half of all babies named Peter in the United Kingdom were born before 2005, so it is mostly a name of today's children and teenagers. Over the last five years on record, it has been falling: 213 births a year on average, against 319 in the five years before.
Peter in Ireland
Peter in France
Peter in Austria
Peter in Norway
Sibling names for Peter
Names from the same generation as Peter, whose popularity in the United States has followed a similar path.
How many people are named Peter? See the counter → · What would your name be in 1950? · Name origin quiz
Compare Peter with another name
Meaning, origin and popularity of Peter side by side with the name of your choice.
Peter in our baby name lists
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Peter mean?
Peter comes from the Greek petros, "rock, stone", a translation of the Aramaic kepha, the name Jesus gave to Simon.
What is the origin of the name Peter?
Greek. Saint Peter, leader of the apostles, is seen by Catholics as the first pope.
Is Peter a girl's or a boy's name?
Peter is a boy's name.
How popular is the name Peter?
In 2024, Peter was the 192nd most popular name for baby boys in the United States, with 1,889 births.
What are good sibling names for Peter?
Names from the same generation, with a similar popularity in the United States: Melanie, Selena, Ana and Summer for a sister, Nicolas, Andrés, Philip and Andre for a brother.
Who are famous people named Peter?
Saint Peter the Apostle; Peter the Great, Tsar of Russia; Peter Pan, J. M. Barrie's hero; Peter Sellers, actor.