Peter
Peter: name meaning, origin and popularity
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈpiːtə/ · /ˈpitɚ/
Meaning and origin of Peter
- A male given name from Ancient Greek.
Etymology
From Middle English Peter, from Old English Petrus, from Latin Petrus, from Ancient Greek Πέτρος (Pétros), from πέτρος (pétros, “stone, rock”). Doublet of Pedro, Piers, and Boutros.
How popular is Peter?
Since 1880, 1,943 girls and 589,588 boys in the U.S. have been named Peter (0% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #1130 in 1887. Its highest rank for boys was #31 in 1880. In 2025 it ranked #187 for boys, with 1,954 babies given the name.
Names similar to Peter
Names that start with the same letters, most popular first.
More Greek boy names
Sibling name ideas for Peter
Sister and brother names that share Peter's Greek roots and are still in the U.S. top 1,000.
Peter FAQ
What does the name Peter mean?
A male given name from Ancient Greek. From Middle English Peter, from Old English Petrus, from Latin Petrus, from Ancient Greek Πέτρος (Pétros), from πέτρος (pétros, “stone, rock”). Doublet of Pedro, Piers, and Boutros.
What is the origin of the name Peter?
Peter is listed as a name of Greek origin.
How popular is the name Peter?
Since 1880, 1,943 girls and 589,588 boys in the U.S. have been named Peter (0% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #1130 in 1887. Its highest rank for boys was #31 in 1880. In 2025 it ranked #187 for boys, with 1,954 babies given the name.
Is Peter a boy or girl name?
Peter is mostly a boy name in the U.S.: 1,943 girls and 589,588 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.