"rock, stone"
Origin: Greek
Language: Greek
Petros
Pronunciation: [ p-EHTR-ohz ]
Does Petros flow with your last name?
The Greek apostle's name meaning 'rock'—ancient and unshakeable
Greek
Cypriot
Eastern Orthodox
Armenian
Classic
Strong
Traditional
Spiritual
Vintage
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Nicknames
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2 shorthand options for every setting
Meaning & Origin
"foundation, steadfast one"
Origin: Aramaic Cephas
Language: Aramaic
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The Story of Petros
Petros is the ancient Greek form of Peter—itself a translation of the Aramaic 'Cephas' (כֵּיפָא, kepha), the nickname Jesus gave to Simon bar Jonah. When Jesus declared 'You are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church' (Matthew 16:18), he used this name as a deliberate metaphor: the man chosen as foundation was named 'Rock.' The Aramaic kepha was rendered as Petros in Greek, then Petrus in Latin, and eventually Peter in English—but Petros preserves the original Greek form that the apostles themselves would have used. In Greece, the name has been in continuous use for two millennia.
While Peter/Pedro/Pierre became common across Western Europe, Petros remained distinctly Greek—used almost exclusively in Greece, Cyprus, and Greek Orthodox diaspora communities. This retention of the classical Greek form makes it feel scholarly and traditional, evoking ancient Athens and apostolic Christianity simultaneously. For Greek families, it remains one of the most traditional masculine names.
In the Greek Orthodox Church, Saint Peter (Apostolos Petros) is celebrated on June 29th alongside Paul. Petros is one of the most deeply traditional Greek masculine names, tied closely to apostolic heritage. The name has been held by Greek prime ministers, scholars, and Orthodox clergy, maintaining its prestige across centuries of Greek history.
Historical Record
Petros first appeared in US Social Security records in 1964.
Over 706 babies have been named Petros in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Petros is past its peak , currently ranked #5,890 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City—the largest church in the world—is built over the traditional site of Simon Peter's tomb
- There are over 30 language variants of Peter/Petros worldwide, making it one of the most widely translated personal names in human history
Petros in Other Languages
Greek
Πέτρος (Petros)
Latin
Petrus
Arabic
بطرس (Butrus)
French
Pierre
Aramaic
Cephas (כֵּיפָא)
Italian
Pietro
Russian
Пётр (Pyotr)
Spanish
Pedro
Popularity Over Time
#5,890
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Peaked 1979
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Petros
P
Petros Mavromichalis
Military
1765
Greek revolutionary hero and leader of the Maniots; one of the signatories of the Greek Declaration of Independence in 1...
Greek revolutionary hero and leader of the Maniots; one of the signatories of the Greek Declaration of Independence in 1821
S
Saint Peter (Simon Peter)
Religious
Chief apostle of Jesus Christ; considered the first Pope by Roman Catholics and a foremost apostle in Eastern Orthodoxy;...
Chief apostle of Jesus Christ; considered the first Pope by Roman Catholics and a foremost apostle in Eastern Orthodoxy; his Greek name Petros gives the name its ultimate meaning
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Compare Petros with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #5,890
- Total SSA Count
- 16
- Cultural Origins
- Greek Cypriot Eastern Orthodox Armenian
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Formal
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Common Nicknames
Pete
Petro
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, strong style, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, strong style, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, Greek heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, strong style, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Petros
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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"sun, throne"
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Frequently Asked Questions About Petros
What does the name Petros mean?
"rock, stone" (from Greek). "foundation, steadfast one" (from Aramaic Cephas). Petros is the ancient Greek form of Peter—itself a translation of the Aramaic 'Cephas' (כֵּיפָא, kepha), the nickname Jesus gave to Simon bar Jonah. When Jesus declared 'You are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church' (Matthew 16:18), he used this name as a deliberate metaphor: the man chosen as foundation was named 'Rock.' The Aramaic kepha was rendered as Petros in Greek, then Petrus in Latin, and eventually Peter in English—but Petros preserves the original Greek form that the apostles themselves would have used. In Greece, the name has been in continuous use for two millennia.
What is the origin of the name Petros?
Petros has Greek, Aramaic Cephas, Cypriot, Eastern Orthodox, and Armenian origins. In Greek, it means "rock, stone". In Aramaic Cephas, it means "foundation, steadfast one".
Is Petros a boy or girl name?
Petros is primarily used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Petros?
Petros is pronounced p-EHTR-ohz.
How popular is the name Petros?
Petros is currently ranked #5890 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Petros?
Common nicknames for Petros include Pete and Petro.
What are good middle names for Petros?
Popular middle name pairings include Petros Alexandros, Petros Dimitris, Petros Nikos, Petros Emmanuel, Petros Andreas, Petros Vasilis, and Petros Konstantinos.
What are good sibling names for Petros?
Names that pair well with Petros as siblings include Nikos, Alexandros, Eleni, Maria, Dimitris, Kristina, and Andreas.
How many syllables does Petros have?
Petros has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Petros a common or rare name?
Petros is an uncommon name, ranked #5890 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
About the Name Petros
Petros is a boy name with Greek, Cypriot, Eastern Orthodox, and Armenian origins . The name means "rock, stone" in Greek .
Petros is currently ranked #5,890 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Petros has 2 syllables and is pronounced p-EHTR-ohz, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Petros include Pete and Petro. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
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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