Peter Name Meaning

Helen Doanna

By Helen Doanna

Lastest Updated July 9, 2024
Home » Baby Names » Peter Name Meaning

Fact: An asteroid, 5036 Tuttle, is named after Horace Peter Tuttle, an American astronomer.

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A Deep Dive

Peter Overview

Meaning

Rock, stone

Gender

Boy

Origin

Greek

Etymology

Originated from the Greek word “petros,” meaning “rock” or “stone,” adopted into Latin as “Petrus” and widely used in Christian contexts

Religion

Christianity

Pronunciation

/ˈpiːtər/

Popularity

Peter is a timeless name popular in many countries, including the USA, UK, and Germany. In 2023, Peter ranked #214 for boys in the USA.

Syllable

2 syllables

Length

5 letters

Numerology

1 (Pioneering, Independent, Leading)

Name Styles

Classic, Religious and Spiritual, Vintage

Associated Traits

Steadfast, reliable, classic

Spiritual, Religious, or Cultural Significance

Strongly associated with Saint Peter, one of the twelve apostles and a foundational figure in Christianity.

Name Day

June 29 (Catholic)
A Deep Dive

Peter Variations in Different Cultures

Popular Variations

Piers, Pietro, Pierre, Pedro, Petros

Common Nicknames

Petie, Pier, Peet, Peto, Piet

Diminutives

Pete, Petey, Pip, Perry, Pet

Famous People

  • Peter Jackson
    (New Zealand Director)
  • Peter Dinklage
    (American Actor)
  • Peter Gabriel
    (English Musician)
  • Peter Sellers
    (British Actor)
  • Peter O'Toole
    (Irish Actor)
  • Peter Fonda
    (American Actor)
  • Peter Drucker
    (Austrian-American Author)

Pop Culture Icons and Works

  • Peter Parker
    ("Spider-Man," Film Series)
  • Peter Quill
    ("Guardians of the Galaxy," Film Series)
  • "Peter Pan"
    (Animated Film)
  • Peter Venkman
    ("Ghostbusters," Film Series)
  • Peter Pevensie
    ("The Chronicles of Narnia," Film Series)

Places

  • St. Peter's Basilica
    (Vatican City)
  • Saint Peter Port
    (Guernsey, Channel Islands)
  • Saint Peter's Island
    (Canton of Bern, Switzerland)
  • Peter and Paul Fortress
    (Saint Petersburg, Russia)

What Is the Meaning of Peter?

The name Peter, meaning “rock,” conveys a sense of stability and firmness. Those named Peter are frequently regarded as dependable and strong, reflecting the enduring nature of their name.

What Is the Origin of The Name Peter?

The name Peter has its origins in the Greek word “petros,” which means “rock” or “stone.” It was adopted into Latin as “Petrus” and became widely used in Christian contexts, notably by Saint Peter, one of Jesus’s apostles.

Peter Name Popularity

Popularity Chart of the Name Peter in the U.S. over the Years

United States flagUnited States#2152021#2122022#2102023
Top 3 Rankings#311880#331885#341884

Annual Statistics Breakdown for Peter

YearName RankingNumber of BirthsBirth Rate (%)
2023210
(+2 from 2022)
1738
(-34 from 2022)
0.09491
2022212
(+3 from 2021)
1772
(-12 from 2021)
0.09461
2021215
No change from 2020
1784
(+22 from 2020)
0.09522
2020215
(-3 from 2019)
1762
(-56 from 2019)
0.09526
2019212
(-1 from 2018)
1818
(-6 from 2018)
0.09460
2018211
(+3 from 2017)
1824
(+32 from 2017)
0.09384
2017214
(-7 from 2016)
1792
(-133 from 2016)
0.09055
2016207
(-2 from 2015)
1925
(-11 from 2015)
0.09503
2015205
(-1 from 2014)
1936
(+14 from 2014)
0.09470
2014204
(+2 from 2013)
1922
(+69 from 2013)
0.09379
2013206
(-2 from 2012)
1853
(-16 from 2012)
0.09170
2012204
(-7 from 2011)
1869
(+31 from 2011)
0.09211
2011197
(-4 from 2010)
1838
(-96 from 2010)
0.09048
2010193
(-3 from 2009)
1934
(-75 from 2009)
0.09414
2009190
(-9 from 2008)
2009
(-176 from 2008)
0.09472
2008181
(-4 from 2007)
2185
(-152 from 2007)
0.10021
2007177
(-10 from 2006)
2337
(-144 from 2006)
0.10550
2006167
(-5 from 2005)
2481
(-71 from 2005)
0.11317
2005162
(-19 from 2004)
2552
(-238 from 2004)
0.11996
2004143
(+3 from 2003)
2790
(-14 from 2003)
0.13202
2003146
(-12 from 2002)
2804
(-67 from 2002)
0.13345
2002134
(-1 from 2001)
2871
(-79 from 2001)
0.13892
2001133
(-8 from 2000)
2950
(-197 from 2000)
0.14262
2000125
(-20 from 1999)
3147
(-292 from 1999)
0.15069
1999105
(+6 from 1998)
3439
(+50 from 1998)
0.16866
1998111
(-9 from 1997)
3389
(-439 from 1997)
0.16714
1997102
(-7 from 1996)
3828
(-253 from 1996)
0.19161
199695
(-6 from 1995)
4081
(-31 from 1995)
0.20367
199589
(-2 from 1994)
4112
(-111 from 1994)
0.20444
199487
(-5 from 1993)
4223
(-316 from 1993)
0.20718
199382
(-1 from 1992)
4539
(-57 from 1992)
0.21975
199281
(-4 from 1991)
4596
(-362 from 1991)
0.21894
199177
(-3 from 1990)
4958
(-266 from 1990)
0.23390
199074
(-8 from 1989)
5224
(-187 from 1989)
0.24275
198966
(-2 from 1988)
5411
(-14 from 1988)
0.25816
198864
No change from 1987
5425
(-128 from 1987)
0.27094
198764
(-4 from 1986)
5553
(-246 from 1986)
0.28474
198660
No change from 1985
5799
(+126 from 1985)
0.30177
198560
No change from 1984
5673
(+37 from 1984)
0.29479
198460
(-1 from 1983)
5636
(+151 from 1983)
0.30031
198359
(-2 from 1982)
5485
(-292 from 1982)
0.29433
198257
(-2 from 1981)
5777
(-221 from 1981)
0.30612
198155
No change from 1980
5998
(+31 from 1980)
0.32206
198055
(-2 from 1979)
5967
(-114 from 1979)
0.32171
197953
(+1 from 1978)
6081
(+204 from 1978)
0.33947
197854
No change from 1977
5877
(+53 from 1977)
0.34396
197754
No change from 1976
5824
(+381 from 1976)
0.34071
197654
No change from 1975
5443
(-255 from 1975)
0.33340
197554
(-4 from 1974)
5698
(-244 from 1974)
0.35121
197450
(+2 from 1973)
5942
(+29 from 1973)
0.36448
197352
(-4 from 1972)
5913
(-564 from 1972)
0.36644
197248
(-1 from 1971)
6477
(-547 from 1971)
0.38691
197147
(-3 from 1970)
7024
(-1032 from 1970)
0.38639
197044
(-1 from 1969)
8056
(+223 from 1969)
0.42294
196943
(-4 from 1968)
7833
(-288 from 1968)
0.42823
196839
No change from 1967
8121
(-195 from 1967)
0.45741
196739
No change from 1966
8316
(-265 from 1966)
0.46734
196639
No change from 1965
8581
(-815 from 1965)
0.47210
196539
No change from 1964
9396
(-510 from 1964)
0.49594
196439
(+1 from 1963)
9906
(+289 from 1963)
0.48869
196340
(+3 from 1962)
9617
(+39 from 1962)
0.46580
196243
(-1 from 1961)
9578
(-768 from 1961)
0.45573
196142
No change from 1960
10346
(-370 from 1960)
0.47965
196042
(-2 from 1959)
10716
(-567 from 1959)
0.49488
195940
(+1 from 1958)
11283
(+524 from 1958)
0.52080
195841
(-4 from 1957)
10759
(-842 from 1957)
0.49929
195737
No change from 1956
11601
(+267 from 1956)
0.52999
195637
(-2 from 1955)
11334
(+329 from 1955)
0.52809
195535
(+2 from 1954)
11005
(+921 from 1954)
0.52649
195437
(+1 from 1953)
10084
(+352 from 1953)
0.48735
195338
(-2 from 1952)
9732
(+148 from 1952)
0.48606
195236
(+2 from 1951)
9584
(+584 from 1951)
0.48569
195138
(-1 from 1950)
9000
(+634 from 1950)
0.47079
195037
(+1 from 1949)
8366
(+101 from 1949)
0.45997
194938
(-1 from 1948)
8265
(+216 from 1948)
0.45866
194837
(-1 from 1947)
8049
(-541 from 1947)
0.45149
194736
(+2 from 1946)
8590
(+1108 from 1946)
0.46243
194638
No change from 1945
7482
(+999 from 1945)
0.45335
194538
(+2 from 1944)
6483
(+143 from 1944)
0.47271
194440
(-1 from 1943)
6340
(-538 from 1943)
0.45639
194339
No change from 1942
6878
(+291 from 1942)
0.47284
194239
(+5 from 1941)
6587
(+980 from 1941)
0.46773
194144
(-1 from 1940)
5607
(+558 from 1940)
0.44682
194043
(+3 from 1939)
5049
(+410 from 1939)
0.42566
193946
(+2 from 1938)
4639
(+346 from 1938)
0.40933
193848
(+4 from 1937)
4293
(+484 from 1937)
0.37774
193752
(+4 from 1936)
3809
(+95 from 1936)
0.34829
193656
(+3 from 1935)
3714
(+293 from 1935)
0.34896
193559
(+2 from 1934)
3421
(+131 from 1934)
0.31984
193461
(-1 from 1933)
3290
(+153 from 1933)
0.30981
193360
(+2 from 1932)
3137
(+7 from 1932)
0.30749
193262
(-1 from 1931)
3130
(+8 from 1931)
0.29132
193161
(-5 from 1930)
3122
(-144 from 1930)
0.29184
193056
(-1 from 1929)
3266
(+50 from 1929)
0.28915
192955
(+1 from 1928)
3216
(-84 from 1928)
0.29036
192856
(+3 from 1927)
3300
(-1 from 1927)
0.28918
192759
(-1 from 1926)
3301
(-58 from 1926)
0.28410
192658
(+2 from 1925)
3359
(-14 from 1925)
0.29325
192560
(-1 from 1924)
3373
(-147 from 1924)
0.29294
192459
(-1 from 1923)
3520
(+111 from 1923)
0.30110
192358
(-1 from 1922)
3409
(-136 from 1922)
0.30108
192257
No change from 1921
3545
(-3 from 1921)
0.31506
192157
No change from 1920
3548
(+51 from 1920)
0.31179
192057
No change from 1919
3497
(+122 from 1919)
0.31768
191957
(-4 from 1918)
3375
(-336 from 1918)
0.33241
191853
(-3 from 1917)
3711
(+247 from 1917)
0.35388
191750
No change from 1916
3464
(+94 from 1916)
0.36109
191650
(-2 from 1915)
3370
(+68 from 1915)
0.36502
191548
No change from 1914
3302
(+678 from 1914)
0.37483
191448
(+3 from 1913)
2624
(+690 from 1913)
0.38401
191351
(-3 from 1912)
1934
(+255 from 1912)
0.36065
191248
(+2 from 1911)
1679
(+834 from 1911)
0.37191
191150
(+6 from 1910)
845
(+214 from 1910)
0.35005
191056
No change from 1909
631
(+92 from 1909)
0.30261
190956
(-3 from 1908)
539
(-3 from 1908)
0.30476
190853
(+8 from 1907)
542
(+69 from 1907)
0.32579
190761
(-2 from 1906)
473
(+46 from 1906)
0.29826
190659
(+3 from 1905)
427
(+18 from 1905)
0.29639
190562
No change from 1904
409
(+14 from 1904)
0.28555
190462
(-4 from 1903)
395
(+23 from 1903)
0.28519
190358
(-7 from 1902)
372
(-61 from 1902)
0.28765
190251
(+5 from 1901)
433
(+90 from 1901)
0.32618
190156
(+2 from 1900)
343
(-100 from 1900)
0.29673
190058
(-5 from 1899)
443
(+89 from 1899)
0.27325
189953
(+1 from 1898)
354
(-55 from 1898)
0.30731
189854
(-3 from 1897)
409
(+12 from 1897)
0.30962
189751
(+1 from 1896)
397
(-5 from 1896)
0.32556
189652
(+1 from 1895)
402
(-10 from 1895)
0.31146
189553
(+2 from 1894)
412
(+21 from 1894)
0.32533
189455
(-2 from 1893)
391
(-1 from 1893)
0.31307
189353
(-8 from 1892)
392
(-73 from 1892)
0.32386
189245
No change from 1891
465
(+69 from 1891)
0.35374
189145
(-2 from 1890)
396
(-14 from 1890)
0.36242
189043
(+2 from 1889)
410
(-15 from 1889)
0.34252
188945
(-4 from 1888)
425
(-73 from 1888)
0.35705
188841
(+2 from 1887)
498
(+77 from 1887)
0.38335
188743
(-1 from 1886)
421
(-16 from 1886)
0.38514
188642
(-9 from 1885)
437
(-79 from 1885)
0.36710
188533
(+1 from 1884)
516
(-8 from 1884)
0.44504
188434
(+2 from 1883)
524
(+74 from 1883)
0.42693
188336
No change from 1882
450
(-11 from 1882)
0.40009
188236
(+1 from 1881)
461
(+33 from 1881)
0.37777
188137
(-6 from 1880)
428
(-68 from 1880)
0.39529
188031
First SSA data recorded
496
First SSA data recorded
0.41892

American States Popularity Rankings for Peter

(From the Most to Least Popular, Based on Number of Births )

New York (NY)

New York (NY) flagNew York (NY)#1472021#1922022#1742023

California (CA)

California (CA) flagCalifornia (CA)#2422021#2442022#2392023

Massachusetts (MA)

Massachusetts (MA) flagMassachusetts (MA)#1332021#1302022#1482023

New Jersey (NJ)

New Jersey (NJ) flagNew Jersey (NJ)#1522021#1672022#1992023

Pennsylvania (PA)

Pennsylvania (PA) flagPennsylvania (PA)#1672021#1632022#1832023

Illinois (IL)

Illinois (IL) flagIllinois (IL)#2242021#1662022#1752023

Michigan (MI)

Michigan (MI) flagMichigan (MI)#1992021#1682022#1522023

Connecticut (CT)

Connecticut (CT) flagConnecticut (CT)#1172021#1102022#1852023

Wisconsin (WI)

Wisconsin (WI) flagWisconsin (WI)#1752021#1602022#1782023

Ohio (OH)

Ohio (OH) flagOhio (OH)#1992021#2572022#1742023

Minnesota (MN)

Minnesota (MN) flagMinnesota (MN)#1642021#1192022#1712023

Texas (TX)

Texas (TX) flagTexas (TX)#3132021#2862022#2762023

Florida (FL)

Florida (FL) flagFlorida (FL)#3002021#2992022#2792023

Washington (WA)

Washington (WA) flagWashington (WA)#1662021#1562022#1682023

Virginia (VA)

Virginia (VA) flagVirginia (VA)#1922021#1592022#1712023

Rhode Island (RI)

Rhode Island (RI) flagRhode Island (RI)#1962021#1112022#1232023

Maine (ME)

Maine (ME) flagMaine (ME)#1992021#1052022#2152023

Indiana (IN)

Indiana (IN) flagIndiana (IN)#2592021#2082022#2582023

Louisiana (LA)

Louisiana (LA) flagLouisiana (LA)#4162021#4082022#2372023

Maryland (MD)

Maryland (MD) flagMaryland (MD)#2342021#1882022#2372023

Missouri (MO)

Missouri (MO) flagMissouri (MO)#1802021#1612022#1782023

New Hampshire (NH)

New Hampshire (NH) flagNew Hampshire (NH)#1122021#1482022#1072023

Colorado (CO)

Colorado (CO) flagColorado (CO)#1712021#2322022#1492023

Oregon (OR)

Oregon (OR) flagOregon (OR)#1702021#2062022#2012023

Iowa (IA)

Iowa (IA) flagIowa (IA)#2362021#2462022#2642023

Georgia (GA)

Georgia (GA) flagGeorgia (GA)#3222021#3132022#3302023

Arizona (AZ)

Arizona (AZ) flagArizona (AZ)#2772021#2412022#2702023

North Carolina (NC)

North Carolina (NC) flagNorth Carolina (NC)#1942021#2312022#2202023

District of Columbia (DC)

District of Columbia (DC) flagDistrict of Columbia (DC)#682021#1172022#1172023

Utah (UT)

Utah (UT) flagUtah (UT)#642021#882022#632023

Vermont (VT)

Vermont (VT) flagVermont (VT)#1232007#1482013#1222014

Hawaii (HI)

Hawaii (HI) flagHawaii (HI)#1872017#1962018#2432019

South Carolina (SC)

South Carolina (SC) flagSouth Carolina (SC)#2472021#2772022#3422023

Kansas (KS)

Kansas (KS) flagKansas (KS)#1782021#1462022#1532023

Alabama (AL)

Alabama (AL) flagAlabama (AL)#4082021#2902022#2202023

Tennessee (TN)

Tennessee (TN) flagTennessee (TN)#2202021#3342022#2712023

North Dakota (ND)

North Dakota (ND) flagNorth Dakota (ND)#1162020#1072021#2742023

New Mexico (NM)

New Mexico (NM) flagNew Mexico (NM)#4222020#2182021#3062022

Nebraska (NE)

Nebraska (NE) flagNebraska (NE)#1882021#1762022#1242023

Kentucky (KY)

Kentucky (KY) flagKentucky (KY)#3052021#3152022#2172023

Mississippi (MS)

Mississippi (MS) flagMississippi (MS)#3402021#3952022#3652023

Oklahoma (OK)

Oklahoma (OK) flagOklahoma (OK)#3602021#2942022#2822023

Montana (MT)

Montana (MT) flagMontana (MT)#2672021#1302022#1832023

Alaska (AK)

Alaska (AK) flagAlaska (AK)#1702019#752021#1632022

Delaware (DE)

Delaware (DE) flagDelaware (DE)#1992017#2322018#1682019

South Dakota (SD)

South Dakota (SD) flagSouth Dakota (SD)#1252021#1952022#2292023

West Virginia (WV)

West Virginia (WV) flagWest Virginia (WV)#2632009#3132014#3732023

Idaho (ID)

Idaho (ID) flagIdaho (ID)#1402021#812022#1622023

Nevada (NV)

Nevada (NV) flagNevada (NV)#3062021#3592022#3772023

Arkansas (AR)

Arkansas (AR) flagArkansas (AR)#2212021#5362022#3172023

Wyoming (WY)

Wyoming (WY) flagWyoming (WY)#1762013#952017#1122018

Popularity Rankings for Peter in other Countries and American Territories

(From the Most to Least Popular, Based on Rankings)

Popularity in Greenland

Greenland flagGreenland#42019#42020#42021

Popularity in Medieval England

Medieval England flagMedieval England#151377-1381

Popularity in Slovakia

Slovakia flagSlovakia#162021#172022#172023

Popularity in Denmark

Denmark flagDenmark#422003#412004#492006

Popularity in Other American Territories

American Samoa flag American Samoa
Guam flag Guam
Northern Mariana Islands flag Northern Mariana Islands
U.S. Virgin Islands flag U.S. Virgin Islands

Other American Territories flagOther American Territories#422012#762013#702017

Popularity in Australia (NSW)

Australia (NSW) flagAustralia (NSW)#692004#792005#832006

Popularity in Austria

Austria flagAustria#952020#1002021#1162022

Popularity in Ireland

Ireland flagIreland#1272021#1082022#1302023

Popularity in Norway

Norway flagNorway#1642021#1462022#1292023

Popularity in New Zealand

New Zealand flagNew Zealand#2212021#2032022#1312023

Popularity in Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland flagNorthern Ireland#1342021#1772022#1322023

Popularity in Czechia

Czechia flagCzechia#1561989#1901990#1841991

Popularity in Canada

Canada flagCanada#1802021#1952022#1762023

Popularity in Scotland

Scotland flagScotland#2622021#2562022#2032023

Popularity in England and Wales

England and Wales flagEngland and Wales#2102019#2262020#2332021

Popularity in Germany

Germany flagGermany#3102021#2962022#3532023

Popularity in Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico flagPuerto Rico#4132011#4632012#3622016

Popularity in Poland

Poland flagPoland#5982019#3842021#3872023

Popularity in Quebec, Canada

Quebec, Canada flagQuebec, Canada#4952020#4482021#4622022

Popularity in Switzerland

Switzerland flagSwitzerland#6612020#6682021#6442022

Popularity in Sweden

Sweden flagSweden#6452022#8002023

Source: Social Security Administration (SSA) and Other National Sources

Is Peter a Name for Boys or Girls?

The name Peter is predominantly male, originating from its use in the New Testament of the Bible. Its association with strong, male figures throughout history reinforces its typical use for boys.

Variants, Nicknames, Diminutives, and Ideal Middle Names for Peter

Peter in Famous People Names, Pop Culture, and Places