Peter

Pronunciation: [ p-EET-er ]

Boy Name #192 Most Popular Steady 2 Syllables

Built on rock — the foundational name of Western faith

English Greek Dutch Scandinavian German

Classic Traditional Strong Literary Royal

Meaning & Origin

"rock, stone"

Origin: Greek

Language: English

"firm foundation"

Origin: Aramaic

Language: Aramaic

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.

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

Famous People Named Peter

Pete Seeger

Musician

1919

American folk singer and social activist who wrote We Shall Overcome and If I Had a Hammer

Peter the Great

Royalty

1672

Russian tsar who modernized Russia, founded St. Petersburg, and transformed it into a major European power

Peter Pan Fictional

Other

The boy who never grows up, from J.M. Barrie's 1904 play and 1911 novel

Peter Parker Fictional

Other

Marvel Comics' Spider-Man, one of the most beloved superhero identities in pop culture

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

Pete #3090

Common Nicknames

Pete Per

Pairs Well With

Peter James Peter Alexander Peter John Peter William Peter Henry Peter Thomas

Sibling Names

John Mary Thomas Catherine Elizabeth Paul

Also a Girl Name

Peter is also used as a girl name, ranked #38866.

View Peter as a girl name →

Similar Names

Pierce Pearson

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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.

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.