"rock, stone"
Origin: Greek
Language: English
Peter
Pronunciation: [ p-EET-er ]
Does Peter flow with your last name?
Built on rock — the foundational name of Western faith
English
Greek
Dutch
Scandinavian
German
Classic
Traditional
Strong
Literary
Royal
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Nicknames
Nicknames for Peter
2 shorthand options for every setting
Meaning & Origin
"firm foundation"
Origin: Aramaic
Language: Aramaic
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The Story of Peter
Peter derives from the Greek 'Petros' meaning rock or stone — itself a translation of the Aramaic 'Kepha' (Cephas). Jesus gave this name to his apostle Simon with the words 'Upon this rock I will build my church,' a profound wordplay on the name's meaning. This made Peter one of the foundational names of Christianity and one of the most cross-culturally adopted names in history, appearing in virtually every European language.
Peter was a top-20 name in English-speaking countries for much of the 20th century, peaking in the UK in the 1950s-60s. Its popularity has declined in recent decades as parents have sought less traditional choices, but it remains a respected classic.
Saint Peter is considered the first Pope in the Catholic tradition, making this one of the most historically significant names in Western civilization. Multiple Russian tsars (Peter the Great), Swedish, Portuguese, and Brazilian rulers bore this name. Tsar Peter the Great (1672-1725) transformed Russia into a modern European power.
Historical Record
Peter first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 410,421 babies have been named Peter in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Peter is past its peak , currently ranked #192 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- There have been 23 popes named Peter or variations thereof
- Tsar Peter the Great stood approximately 6 feet 8 inches tall — extraordinary for the 17th century
- J.M. Barrie's Peter Pan (1904) has never been out of copyright in the UK due to a special Parliamentary Act
Peter in Other Languages
Dutch
Pieter
French
Pierre
German
Peter
Italian
Pietro
Russian
Пётр (Pyotr)
Spanish
Pedro
Portuguese
Pedro
Popularity Over Time
#192
Current Rank
Peaked 1955
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Peter
P
Pete Seeger
Musician
1919
American folk singer and social activist who wrote We Shall Overcome and If I Had a Hammer
P
Peter the Great
Royalty
1672
Russian tsar who modernized Russia, founded St. Petersburg, and transformed it into a major European power
P
P
Peter Parker Fictional
Other
Marvel Comics' Spider-Man, one of the most beloved superhero identities in pop culture
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See all →Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #192
- Total SSA Count
- 1,889
- Cultural Origins
- English Greek Dutch Scandinavian German
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Pete
Per
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Classic pairing, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Classic pairing, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Peter
6 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Girl Name
Peter is also used as a girl name, ranked #38866.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Peter
What does the name Peter mean?
"rock, stone" (from Greek). "firm foundation" (from Aramaic). Peter derives from the Greek 'Petros' meaning rock or stone — itself a translation of the Aramaic 'Kepha' (Cephas). Jesus gave this name to his apostle Simon with the words 'Upon this rock I will build my church,' a profound wordplay on the name's meaning. This made Peter one of the foundational names of Christianity and one of the most cross-culturally adopted names in history, appearing in virtually every European language.
What is the origin of the name Peter?
Peter has Greek, Aramaic, English, Dutch, Scandinavian, and German origins. In Greek, it means "rock, stone". In Aramaic, it means "firm foundation".
Is Peter a boy or girl name?
Peter is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #192. As a girl name, it is ranked #38866. Peter is more commonly used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Peter?
Peter is pronounced p-EET-er.
How popular is the name Peter?
Peter is currently ranked #192 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Peter?
Common nicknames for Peter include Pete and Per.
What are good middle names for Peter?
Popular middle name pairings include Peter James, Peter Alexander, Peter John, Peter William, Peter Henry, and Peter Thomas.
What are good sibling names for Peter?
Names that pair well with Peter as siblings include John, Mary, Thomas, Catherine, Elizabeth, and Paul.
How many syllables does Peter have?
Peter has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Peter a common or rare name?
Peter is a popular name, ranked #192 for boys. It is well-known without being overused.
What boy names are similar to Peter?
Are there other spellings for Peter?
Related spellings include Pete.
About the Name Peter
Peter is a boy name with English, Greek, Dutch, Scandinavian, and German origins . The name means "rock, stone" in Greek .
Is Peter a boy or girl name? Peter is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #192 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #38,866. Peter is more commonly used as a boy name.
Peter is currently ranked #192 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Peter has 2 syllables and is pronounced p-EET-er, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Peter include Pete and Per. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Peter include Pete . 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