Penelope
Penelope: name meaning, origin and popularity
Pronunciation (IPA): /pɪˈnɛləpi/
Meaning and origin of Penelope
- A female given name from Ancient Greek.
Etymology
From Ancient Greek Πηνελόπη (Pēnelópē), possibly from πηνέλοψ (pēnélops, “duck”).
How popular is Penelope?
Since 1880, 109,480 girls and 53 boys in the U.S. have been named Penelope (100% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #21 in 2022. Its highest rank for boys was #8009 in 2021. In 2025 it ranked #22 for girls, with 6,225 babies given the name.
Names similar to Penelope
Names that start with the same letters, most popular first.
More Greek girl names
Sibling name ideas for Penelope
Sister and brother names that share Penelope's Greek roots and are still in the U.S. top 1,000.
Penelope FAQ
What does the name Penelope mean?
A female given name from Ancient Greek. From Ancient Greek Πηνελόπη (Pēnelópē), possibly from πηνέλοψ (pēnélops, “duck”).
What is the origin of the name Penelope?
Penelope is listed as a name of Greek origin.
How popular is the name Penelope?
Since 1880, 109,480 girls and 53 boys in the U.S. have been named Penelope (100% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #21 in 2022. Its highest rank for boys was #8009 in 2021. In 2025 it ranked #22 for girls, with 6,225 babies given the name.
Is Penelope a boy or girl name?
Penelope is mostly a girl name in the U.S.: 109,480 girls and 53 boys since 1880.
Popularity data: U.S. Social Security Administration baby name data, 1880–2025 (names given to 5+ babies per year). Origin and etymology text: Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.