"rock, stone"
Origin: Greek
Language: English
Petra
Pronunciation: [ p-EHTR-uh ]
Does Petra flow with your last name?
Solid as stone, ancient as the rose-red city
German
Czech
Scandinavian
Dutch
Eastern European
Spanish
Classic
Strong
Sophisticated
Vintage
Elegant
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
Share
Similar Names
Names Like Petra
Same sound, same style — different options
Nicknames
Nicknames for Petra
2 shorthand options for every setting
Meaning & Origin
"foundation, solid"
Origin: Latin (petra)
Language: English
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
Similar to Petra
See all →What the Petra report tells you
$9Personalized to your state, siblings, and priorities. Free playground safety preview included.
Is Petra the #1 name in your state, or barely on the radar?
Enter your other kids' names. We score how well they sound together.
Downloadable PDF + nursery art
Everything in one printable report. Frame the name art.
Start with a free preview
Playground safety check is free. Full report is $9.
What do you want to do with this name?
Keep Petra
Add it to your shortlist. Not losing this one.
Compare names
Put Petra head-to-head with your other picks.
Start comparing →
Nickname ideas
See what Petra actually gets called.
Browse nicknames →
What kind of baby name person are you?
3 minutes to find names that fit your style.
Take the Quiz
The Story of Petra
Petra is the feminine form of Peter, derived from the Greek 'petra' (πέτρα) meaning rock or stone. The name entered Western consciousness through the Apostle Peter, whose name Jesus gave him (from Aramaic 'Cephas,' also meaning rock). The ancient city of Petra in Jordan — carved directly into rose-red sandstone cliffs — shares this etymology and adds archaeological grandeur to the name.
Petra has been a fixture in German, Czech, and Scandinavian naming traditions for centuries. In the English-speaking world, it is seen as an elegant continental alternative to the more common names. Czech tennis star Petra Kvitova brought the name to global sports visibility, winning two Wimbledon titles.
The ancient city of Petra (in modern-day Jordan), built by the Nabataeans in the 4th century BC, is one of the world's great archaeological wonders. The city's rose-red stone architecture made it a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the New Seven Wonders of the World — lending the name a sense of ancient magnificence.
Historical Record
Petra first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 8,431 babies have been named Petra in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Petra is a hidden gem — rare but distinctive , currently ranked #1,484 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- The ancient city of Petra in Jordan was carved from rose-red sandstone and was unknown to the Western world until 1812
- Petra Kvitova overcame a serious hand injury from a home invasion to win her second Wimbledon title in 2019
Petra in Other Languages
Czech
Petra
Greek
Πέτρα
German
Petra
Italian
Pietra
Russian
Петра
Spanish
Piedra/Petra
Popularity Over Time
#1,484
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Hidden Gem
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Petra
P
P
Petra Hermans-Osterhaus
Athlete
1960
Dutch volleyball player who competed in the 1980 Olympic Games
P
Petra
Other
Ancient Nabataean city carved into rose-red cliffs in Jordan, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World
Names You Might Also Love
See all →Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #1,484
- Total SSA Count
- 147
- Cultural Origins
- German Czech Scandinavian Dutch Eastern European Spanish
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Formal
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Pet
Petie
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
-
Timeless choice, German heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, German heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, classic style, 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
-
Timeless choice, Spanish heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Classic pairing, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Petra
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
Premium
Check how Petra fits with existing sibling names — style, sound, and origin.
Enter sibling names above to see compatibility.
Also a Boy Name
Petra is also used as a boy name, ranked #32865.
View Petra as a boy name →Similar Names
See all names like Petra →For Parents
amz
Start a baby registry
Free welcome box on Amazon
The Baby Name Wizard
Names that age well — book
Nursery name sign
Personalized wooden letters
We may earn a commission from these links.
Compare Petra with...
Same Origin Names (German)
See all German names →Names with Similar Meaning
Names that share meaning themes with Petra
Can't decide?
Start a tournament bracket with Petra and other names you're considering.
Start a TournamentLike this name?
Check how Petra sounds with your surname and test for potential nicknames.
Analyze This NameExplore More Generators
-
🧝
Fantasy Name Generator
Create names for D&D and RPG characters
-
🐾
Pet Name Generator
Find the perfect name for your furry friend
-
🎭
Character Name Generator
Names for fictional characters across genres
Names You Might Also Like
View all →
May
Girl
Hebrew origin
"beloved (short form of Mary)"
#1,351 in US
Yaneli
Girl
Spanish/Mexican origin
"invented lyrical name"
#1,436 in US
Odessa
Girl
Greek etymology origin
"angry, wrathful"
#1,586 in US
Beatrix
Girl
Latin beatus (blessed) origin
"bringer of joy"
#1,378 in US
Patricia
Girl
Latin origin
"noble father's daughter"
#1,299 in US
Eloisa
Girl
Old High German origin
"healthy and wide, wholesome"
#1,622 in US
Ester
Girl
Hebrew/Persian origin
"star"
#1,509 in US
Adina
Girl
Hebrew origin
"gentle, delicate"
#1,377 in US
Save Your Name Card
Download a shareable image with Petra's meaning, origin, and popularity. Ready for Instagram, Pinterest, or texting to your partner.
Frequently Asked Questions About Petra
What does the name Petra mean?
"rock, stone" (from Greek). "foundation, solid" (from Latin (petra)). Petra is the feminine form of Peter, derived from the Greek 'petra' (πέτρα) meaning rock or stone. The name entered Western consciousness through the Apostle Peter, whose name Jesus gave him (from Aramaic 'Cephas,' also meaning rock). The ancient city of Petra in Jordan — carved directly into rose-red sandstone cliffs — shares this etymology and adds archaeological grandeur to the name.
What is the origin of the name Petra?
Petra has Greek, Latin (petra), German, Czech, Scandinavian, Dutch, Eastern European, and Spanish origins. In Greek, it means "rock, stone". In Latin (petra), it means "foundation, solid".
Is Petra a boy or girl name?
Petra is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #1484. As a boy name, it is ranked #32865. Petra is more commonly used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Petra?
Petra is pronounced p-EHTR-uh.
How popular is the name Petra?
Petra is currently ranked #1484 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Petra?
Common nicknames for Petra include Pet and Petie.
What are good middle names for Petra?
Popular middle name pairings include Petra Anne, Petra Louise, Petra Maria, Petra Elena, Petra Claire, Petra Grace, and Petra Helena.
What are good sibling names for Petra?
Names that pair well with Petra as siblings include Klaus, Helena, Markus, Liesel, Tomas, Katarina, and Franz.
How many syllables does Petra have?
Petra has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Petra a common or rare name?
Petra is an uncommon name, ranked #1484 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What girl names are similar to Petra?
Are there other spellings for Petra?
Related spellings include Petrona.
About the Name Petra
Petra is a girl name with German, Czech, Scandinavian, Dutch, Eastern European, and Spanish origins . The name means "rock, stone" in Greek .
Is Petra a boy or girl name? Petra is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #1,484 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #32,865. Petra is more commonly used as a girl name.
Petra is currently ranked #1,484 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Petra has 2 syllables and is pronounced p-EHTR-uh, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Petra include Pet and Petie. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Petra include Petrona . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
Keep Exploring
Greek Names
Browse all names with this origin
P
Names Starting with P
More girl names like Petra
Unique Names
Uncommon names with character
Name Personality Quiz
Find names that match your style
Name Swiper
Swipe through names, build a shortlist fast
Browse All Girl Names
Full list with filters and sorting
Recommended for Parents
amz
Start a registry
Free welcome box on Amazon
Baby Name Wizard
Names that actually age well
Nursery name sign
Personalized wooden letters
We may earn a commission from these links.
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