"rock, stone"
Origin: Greek
Language: English
Petra
Pronunciation: [ p-EHTR-uh ]
Girl Name
#1,484 Most Popular
Hidden Gem
2 Syllables
Solid as stone, ancient as the rose-red city
German
Czech
Scandinavian
Dutch
Eastern European
Spanish
Classic
Strong
Sophisticated
Vintage
Elegant
Meaning & Origin
"foundation, solid"
Origin: Latin (petra)
Language: English
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.
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
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
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
Pairs Well With
Petra Anne
Petra Louise
Petra Maria
Petra Elena
Petra Claire
Petra Grace
Petra Helena
Sibling Names
Also a Boy Name
Petra is also used as a boy name, ranked #32865.
View Petra as a boy name →Similar Names
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
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
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.
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.