"weaver, one who weaves"
Origin: Greek penelops
Language: Greek
Penelope
Pronunciation: [ p-uhn-EHL-uhp-ee ]
Does Penelope flow with your last name?
The clever, faithful heroine of the Odyssey
Greek
English
Spanish
Italian
Classic
Literary
Elegant
Whimsical
Sophisticated
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Human lore, pronunciation, D&D class tips
Meaning & Origin
"faithful wife"
Origin: Greek mythology via Homer's Odyssey
Language: Greek
"duck, waterfowl"
Origin: Greek penelops bird name
Language: Greek
"weaver, bobbin worker"
Origin: Greek
Language: Greek
"faithful wife (mythological)"
Origin: Greek
Language: English
Browse names with similar meanings:
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The Story of Penelope
Penelope is derived from the Greek 'penelops,' possibly related to 'pene' (bobbin, thread) and 'ops' (face) — though scholars debate the exact etymology. In Homer's Odyssey, Penelope was the faithful wife of Odysseus, who cleverly stalled her suitors by weaving a funeral shroud by day and unraveling it by night for three years while awaiting her husband's return. Her name has become synonymous with faithful, clever womanhood.
Penelope has been rising steadily, entering the US top 25 in recent years. Celebrity usage helped — actress Penelope Cruz brought glamour to the name, and Kourtney Kardashian naming her daughter Penelope in 2012 sparked new interest among younger parents.
In Greek mythology, Penelope is celebrated as the ideal of marital faithfulness and female intelligence. Unlike passive female characters, she actively outwitted 108 suitors for years through cleverness rather than force — one of antiquity's most admired heroines.
Historical Record
Penelope first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 94,814 babies have been named Penelope in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Penelope is a hidden gem — rare but distinctive , currently ranked #28 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Penelope in the Odyssey unraveled her weaving each night for three years to avoid remarrying — a story of extraordinary patience and wit
- The name entered the US top 20 for the first time in 2021
Penelope in Other Languages
Greek
Penelope
French
Penelope
Italian
Penelope
Spanish
Penelope
Japanese
Penerope
Popularity Over Time
#28
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Hidden Gem
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Penelope
P
Penelope Disick
Other
2012
Daughter of Kourtney Kardashian, whose birth brought the name widespread modern attention
P
Penelope Cruz
Actor
1974
Spanish actress and Academy Award winner, the first Spanish actress to win an Oscar
P
Penelope Ann Miller
Actor
1964
American actress known for her roles in drama and film
P
Penelope Fitzgerald
Writer
1916
British novelist who won the Booker Prize for Offshore
P
Penelope (mythology) Fictional
Other
Wife of Odysseus in Homer's Odyssey, renowned for her faithfulness and cunning intelligence
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Compare Penelope with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 4
- Popularity Rank
- #28
- Total SSA Count
- 5,741
- Cultural Origins
- Greek English Spanish Italian
- Pronunciation
- Moderate
- Formality
- Formal
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Popular in These States
Top states by rank · 2024
Common Nicknames
Penny
Nell
Nellie
Pen
Poppy
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Classic pairing, smooth 4-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 4-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 4-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 4-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, balanced 4-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 4-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, balanced 4-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 4-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, balanced 4-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 4-1 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Penelope
6 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Boy Name
Penelope is also used as a boy name, ranked #18361.
View Penelope as a boy name →Similar Names
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Same Origin Names (Greek)
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"of noble birth"
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Symbolic/English origin
"freedom, grace"
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Frequently Asked Questions About Penelope
What does the name Penelope mean?
"weaver, one who weaves" (from Greek penelops). "faithful wife" (from Greek mythology via Homer's Odyssey). "duck, waterfowl" (from Greek penelops bird name). "weaver, bobbin worker" (from Greek). "faithful wife (mythological)" (from Greek). Penelope is derived from the Greek 'penelops,' possibly related to 'pene' (bobbin, thread) and 'ops' (face) — though scholars debate the exact etymology. In Homer's Odyssey, Penelope was the faithful wife of Odysseus, who cleverly stalled her suitors by weaving a funeral shroud by day and unraveling it by night for three years while awaiting her husband's return. Her name has become synonymous with faithful, clever womanhood.
What is the origin of the name Penelope?
Penelope has Greek penelops, Greek mythology via Homer's Odyssey, Greek penelops bird name, Greek, English, Spanish, and Italian origins. In Greek penelops, it means "weaver, one who weaves". In Greek mythology via Homer's Odyssey, it means "faithful wife". In Greek penelops bird name, it means "duck, waterfowl". In Greek, it means "weaver, bobbin worker". In Greek, it means "faithful wife (mythological)".
Is Penelope a boy or girl name?
Penelope is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #28. As a boy name, it is ranked #18361. Penelope is more commonly used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Penelope?
Penelope is pronounced p-uhn-EHL-uhp-ee.
How popular is the name Penelope?
Penelope is currently ranked #28 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Penelope?
Common nicknames for Penelope include Penny, Nell, Nellie, Pen, and Poppy.
What are good middle names for Penelope?
Popular middle name pairings include Penelope Rose, Penelope Jane, Penelope Claire, Penelope Grace, Penelope Anne, and Penelope Joy.
What are good sibling names for Penelope?
Names that pair well with Penelope as siblings include Theodore, Athena, Jasper, Phoebe, Sebastien, and Isadora.
How many syllables does Penelope have?
Penelope has 4 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.
Is Penelope a common or rare name?
Penelope is a very popular name, ranked #28 among girl names in the United States.
About the Name Penelope
Penelope is a girl name with Greek, English, Spanish, and Italian origins . The name means "weaver, one who weaves" in Greek penelops .
Is Penelope a boy or girl name? Penelope is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #28 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #18,361. Penelope is more commonly used as a girl name.
Penelope is currently ranked #28 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Penelope has 4 syllables and is pronounced p-uhn-EHL-uhp-ee, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Penelope include Penny, Nell, Nellie, Pen, and Poppy. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis