"rock, stone"
Origin: Greek
Language: English
Pete
Pronunciation: [ p-EET ]
Does Pete flow with your last name?
Solid as a rock and twice as friendly
English
American
Dutch
Scandinavian
Classic
Vintage
Strong
Casual
Playful
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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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.
Historical Record
Pete first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 18,988 babies have been named Pete in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Pete is past its peak , currently ranked #3,090 for boy names in the US .
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
Popularity Over Time
#3,090
Current Rank
Peaked 1958
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Pete
P
Pete Townshend
Musician
1945
Guitarist and principal songwriter of The Who, one of rock history's most influential bands
P
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
S
Saint Peter
Religious
Apostle of Jesus, first Bishop of Rome, and foundational figure of the Catholic Church
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Compare Pete with:
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
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Pete
6 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Girl Name
Pete is also used as a girl name, ranked #69013.
View Pete as a girl name →Similar Names
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Old English origin
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#3,044 in US
Dontae
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American English origin
"American variant of Dante"
#2,977 in US
Calian
Boy
Latin origin
"clever, skilled"
#3,068 in US
Remmy
Boy
Latin (Remigius) origin
"oarsman, rower"
#3,258 in US
Jackie
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Hebrew origin
"God is gracious"
#2,895 in US
Beauregard
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French origin
"beautiful gaze"
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Hebrew origin
"possessor, acquirer"
#2,954 in US
Reason
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Old French/Latin origin
"rational thought, good judgment"
#3,007 in US
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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.
What boy names are similar to Pete?
Are there other spellings for Pete?
Related spellings include Peter.
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.
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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