Pete

Pronunciation: [ p-EET ]

Boy Name #3,090 Most Popular Hidden Gem 1 Syllable

Solid as a rock and twice as friendly

English American Dutch Scandinavian

Classic Vintage Strong Casual Playful

Meaning & Origin

"rock, stone"

Origin: Greek

Language: English

The Story of Pete

Pete is a diminutive of Peter, which derives from the Greek 'Petros' meaning 'rock' or 'stone.' This Greek word translated the Aramaic 'Kefa' (Cephas) — the nickname Jesus gave to Simon Peter, the apostle considered the first pope in Catholic tradition. Peter means the same thing as the earlier Hebrew name Tzur. Pete as a standalone name took hold in English-speaking countries during the 19th and early 20th centuries as a friendly, unpretentious alternative to the more formal Peter.

Pete was most popular in the mid-20th century when short, solid names like Bob, Jim, and Bill dominated American naming culture. It has declined with the rise of longer, more distinctive names, though it retains an old-school, everyman charm.

Saint Peter is one of the most revered figures in Christianity, making Peter-derived names widely used across the Christian world. Pete Seeger, Pete Townshend, and Pete Rose represent the name's quintessentially American everyman appeal.

Fun Facts

Peter/Pete is one of the most widely used names in Christian history — nearly every culture with Christian influence has a local version
Pete Rose holds the MLB record for career hits (4,256), making Pete a name associated with American baseball history

Pete in Other Languages

Greek Πέτρος

French Pierre

Italian Pietro

Russian Пётр

Spanish Pedro

Famous People Named Pete

Pete Townshend

Musician

1945

Guitarist and principal songwriter of The Who, one of rock history's most influential bands

Pete Seeger

Musician

1919

Iconic American folk singer and activist who inspired Bob Dylan and generations of musicians with songs like This Land I...

Iconic American folk singer and activist who inspired Bob Dylan and generations of musicians with songs like This Land Is Your Land

Saint Peter

Religious

Apostle of Jesus, first Bishop of Rome, and foundational figure of the Catholic Church

Quick Facts

Gender: Boy
Syllables: 1
Popularity Rank: #3,090
Total SSA Count: 40
Cultural Origins: English American Dutch Scandinavian
Pronunciation: Easy
Formality: Casual
Cross-Cultural Ease: High

Alternative Spellings

Peter #192

Pairs Well With

Pete James Pete Michael Pete David Pete Thomas Pete Henry Pete George

Sibling Names

Sam Tom Jack Dave Ann Sue

Also a Girl Name

Pete is also used as a girl name, ranked #69013.

View Pete as a girl name →

Similar Names

Pedro Pierre Jeter Cedar

Playground Safety

Kid-Friendly

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Frequently Asked Questions About Pete

What does the name Pete mean?

"rock, stone" (from Greek). Pete is a diminutive of Peter, which derives from the Greek 'Petros' meaning 'rock' or 'stone.' This Greek word translated the Aramaic 'Kefa' (Cephas) — the nickname Jesus gave to Simon Peter, the apostle considered the first pope in Catholic tradition. Peter means the same thing as the earlier Hebrew name Tzur. Pete as a standalone name took hold in English-speaking countries during the 19th and early 20th centuries as a friendly, unpretentious alternative to the more formal Peter.

What is the origin of the name Pete?

Pete has Greek, English, American, Dutch, and Scandinavian origins. In Greek, it means "rock, stone".

Is Pete a boy or girl name?

Pete is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #3090. As a girl name, it is ranked #69013. Pete is more commonly used as a boy name.

How do you pronounce Pete?

Pete is pronounced p-EET.

How popular is the name Pete?

Pete is currently ranked #3090 in popularity for boy names in the United States.

What are good middle names for Pete?

Popular middle name pairings include Pete James, Pete Michael, Pete David, Pete Thomas, Pete Henry, and Pete George.

What are good sibling names for Pete?

Names that pair well with Pete as siblings include Sam, Tom, Jack, Dave, Ann, and Sue.

How many syllables does Pete have?

Pete has 1 syllable, making it easy to say and remember.

Is Pete a common or rare name?

Pete is an uncommon name, ranked #3090 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.

About the Name Pete

Pete is a boy name with English, American, Dutch, and Scandinavian origins . The name means "rock, stone" in Greek .

Is Pete a boy or girl name? Pete is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #3,090 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #69,013. Pete is more commonly used as a boy name.

Pete is currently ranked #3,090 in popularity for boy names in the United States.

The name Pete has 1 syllable and is pronounced p-EET, making it easy to pronounce and remember.

Alternative spellings of Pete include Peter . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.