Penelope Name Meaning

Helen Doanna

By Helen Doanna

Lastest Updated June 7, 2024
Home » Baby Names » Penelope Name Meaning

Fact: In numerology, the name Penelope is associated with the number 7, which is often linked to introspection, wisdom, and a love of learning.

Continue Reading…
A Deep Dive

Penelope Overview

Meaning

Weaver, duck

Gender

Girl

Origin

Greek

Etymology

Derived from the Greek name “Penelopeia,” possibly meaning “weaver” or “duck.”

Religion

Christianity

Pronunciation

/pəˈnɛləpi/

Popularity

Penelope is a popular name in many countries, particularly in English-speaking regions. Recently, Penelope has consistently ranked within the top 30 names for girls in the USA.

Syllable

3 syllables

Length

8 letters

Numerology

7 (Analytical, Studious, Knowledgeable)

Name Styles

Classic, Mythological, Popular, Cute

Associated Traits

Intelligent, resourceful, loyal, creative

Spiritual, Religious, or Cultural Significance

Penelope is known from Greek mythology as the faithful wife of Odysseus, symbolizing loyalty and cleverness.

Name Day

May 1st
A Deep Dive

Penelope Variations in Different Cultures

Popular Variations

Penelopa, Penelopi, Penelopy, Penelopea, Penelopeia, Penelopée, Penelopee, Penelopé

Common Nicknames

Penny, Nellie, Poppy, Pip, Nell, Peppy, Pippa

Diminutives

Penn, Nelly, Pep, Lopi

Famous People

  • Penelope Cruz
    (Spanish Actress)
  • Penelope Wilton
    (British Actress)
  • Penelope Fitzgerald
    (British Author)
  • Penelope Spheeris
    (American Director)
  • Penelope Keith
    (British Actress)

Pop Culture Icons and Works

  • Penelope Garcia
    ("Criminal Minds," TV Series)
  • "Penelope"
    (Film)
  • Penelope Featherington
    ("Bridgerton," TV Series)
  • Penelope Clearwater
    ("Harry Potter," Novel Series)

Places

  • Penelope Town
    (Texas, USA)
  • Penelope Lake
    (Ontario, Canada)

What Is the Meaning of Penelope?

Penelope, a name of Greek origin meaning “weaver,” comes from the Greek name Penelops. It refers to a type of duck, symbolizing resourcefulness and loyalty.

What Is the Origin of The Name Penelope?

Penelope has ancient Greek origins. It is most famously associated with the wife of Odysseus in Homer’s epic, “The Odyssey.” Penelope is celebrated for her loyalty and cleverness, waiting for twenty years for Odysseus’s return from the Trojan War. The name has been used in various cultures and has retained its classic appeal throughout the centuries.

Penelope Name Popularity

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

United States flagUnited States#232021#212022#232023
Top 3 Rankings#212022#222019#232021

Annual Statistics Breakdown for Penelope

YearName RankingNumber of BirthsBirth Rate (%)
202323
(-2 from 2022)
6041
(-379 from 2022)
0.34536
202221
(+2 from 2021)
6420
(+60 from 2021)
0.35805
202123
(+2 from 2020)
6360
(+213 from 2020)
0.35500
202025
(-3 from 2019)
6147
(-586 from 2019)
0.34774
201922
(+4 from 2018)
6733
(+210 from 2018)
0.36695
201826
(-2 from 2017)
6523
(-143 from 2017)
0.35076
201724
(+3 from 2016)
6666
(+270 from 2016)
0.35286
201627
(+7 from 2015)
6396
(+445 from 2015)
0.33039
201534
(+9 from 2014)
5951
(+863 from 2014)
0.30504
201443
(+13 from 2013)
5088
(+797 from 2013)
0.26008
201356
(+69 from 2012)
4291
(+1755 from 2012)
0.22260
2012125
(+43 from 2011)
2536
(+665 from 2011)
0.13076
2011168
(+32 from 2010)
1871
(+324 from 2010)
0.09656
2010200
(+52 from 2009)
1547
(+250 from 2009)
0.07890
2009252
(+107 from 2008)
1297
(+378 from 2008)
0.06405
2008359
(+50 from 2007)
919
(+123 from 2007)
0.04412
2007409
(+73 from 2006)
796
(+147 from 2006)
0.03761
2006482
(+76 from 2005)
649
(+136 from 2005)
0.03104
2005558
(+88 from 2004)
513
(+89 from 2004)
0.02528
2004646
(+66 from 2003)
424
(+57 from 2003)
0.02101
2003712
(+4 from 2002)
367
(+21 from 2002)
0.01829
2002716
(+224 from 2001)
346
(+111 from 2001)
0.01752
2001940
(+472 from 2000)
235
(+104 from 2000)
0.01186
20001412
(+224 from 1999)
131
(+29 from 1999)
0.00656
19991636
(-178 from 1998)
102
(-15 from 1998)
0.00524
19981458
(+147 from 1997)
117
(+18 from 1997)
0.00604
19971605
(+200 from 1996)
99
(+18 from 1996)
0.00519
19961805
(-207 from 1995)
81
(-13 from 1995)
0.00422
19951598
(+504 from 1994)
94
(+29 from 1994)
0.00489
19942102
(+249 from 1993)
65
(+11 from 1993)
0.00333
19932351
(-223 from 1992)
54
(-9 from 1992)
0.00274
19922128
(+35 from 1991)
63
(+2 from 1991)
0.00314
19912163
(+11 from 1990)
61
(+2 from 1990)
0.00300
19902174
(+484 from 1989)
59
(+17 from 1989)
0.00287
19892658
(-329 from 1988)
42
(-5 from 1988)
0.00211
19882329
(-491 from 1987)
47
(-16 from 1987)
0.00244
19871838
(+165 from 1986)
63
(+9 from 1986)
0.00336
19862003
(-55 from 1985)
54
(-2 from 1985)
0.00293
19851948
(-135 from 1984)
56
(-3 from 1984)
0.00303
19841813
(-169 from 1983)
59
(-8 from 1983)
0.00327
19831644
(+141 from 1982)
67
(+6 from 1982)
0.00374
19821785
(-256 from 1981)
61
(-17 from 1981)
0.00336
19811529
(-69 from 1980)
78
(-5 from 1980)
0.00436
19801460
(-200 from 1979)
83
(-18 from 1979)
0.00466
19791260
(-91 from 1978)
101
(-7 from 1978)
0.00586
19781169
(-81 from 1977)
108
(-11 from 1977)
0.00657
19771088
(-61 from 1976)
119
(-2 from 1976)
0.00723
19761027
(-187 from 1975)
121
(-39 from 1975)
0.00770
1975840
(-81 from 1974)
160
(-24 from 1974)
0.01025
1974759
(-89 from 1973)
184
(-38 from 1973)
0.01175
1973670
(+6 from 1972)
222
(+3 from 1972)
0.01428
1972676
(+56 from 1971)
219
(+14 from 1971)
0.01358
1971732
(-161 from 1970)
205
(-110 from 1970)
0.01170
1970571
(-40 from 1969)
315
(-30 from 1969)
0.01720
1969531
(+38 from 1968)
345
(+63 from 1968)
0.01957
1968569
(+27 from 1967)
282
(+27 from 1967)
0.01649
1967596
(+45 from 1966)
255
(+32 from 1966)
0.01485
1966641
(-54 from 1965)
223
(-41 from 1965)
0.01270
1965587
(+27 from 1964)
264
(-2 from 1964)
0.01445
1964614
(-74 from 1963)
266
(-56 from 1963)
0.01359
1963540
(+44 from 1962)
322
(+36 from 1962)
0.01620
1962584
(-19 from 1961)
286
(-24 from 1961)
0.01411
1961565
(-18 from 1960)
310
(-6 from 1960)
0.01492
1960547
(-52 from 1959)
316
(-72 from 1959)
0.01519
1959495
(-11 from 1958)
388
(+1 from 1958)
0.01867
1958484
(-24 from 1957)
387
(-35 from 1957)
0.01873
1957460
(+19 from 1956)
422
(+42 from 1956)
0.02011
1956479
(-44 from 1955)
380
(-39 from 1955)
0.01845
1955435
(-40 from 1954)
419
(-63 from 1954)
0.02090
1954395
(-29 from 1953)
482
(-55 from 1953)
0.02421
1953366
(-6 from 1952)
537
(+8 from 1952)
0.02783
1952360
(-28 from 1951)
529
(-39 from 1951)
0.02781
1951332
(-27 from 1950)
568
(-78 from 1950)
0.03075
1950305
(-8 from 1949)
646
(-33 from 1949)
0.03674
1949297
(-22 from 1948)
679
(-103 from 1948)
0.03868
1948275
(-4 from 1947)
782
(-14 from 1947)
0.04487
1947271
(+18 from 1946)
796
(+155 from 1946)
0.04379
1946289
(+15 from 1945)
641
(+132 from 1945)
0.03974
1945304
(-39 from 1944)
509
(-169 from 1944)
0.03781
1944265
(+10 from 1943)
678
(+35 from 1943)
0.04961
1943275
(-8 from 1942)
643
(-27 from 1942)
0.04480
1942267
(+6 from 1941)
670
(+124 from 1941)
0.04819
1941273
(+27 from 1940)
546
(+107 from 1940)
0.04382
1940300
(+25 from 1939)
439
(+71 from 1939)
0.03716
1939325
(+161 from 1938)
368
(+180 from 1938)
0.03245
1938486
(+15 from 1937)
188
(+15 from 1937)
0.01647
1937501
(+151 from 1936)
173
(+71 from 1936)
0.01570
1936652
(+171 from 1935)
102
(+33 from 1935)
0.00947
1935823
(+239 from 1934)
69
(+26 from 1934)
0.00635
19341062
(+40 from 1933)
43
(+3 from 1933)
0.00397
19331102
(-47 from 1932)
40
(-5 from 1932)
0.00382
19321055
(+120 from 1931)
45
(+8 from 1931)
0.00407
19311175
(-58 from 1930)
37
(-7 from 1930)
0.00335
19301117
(+2 from 1929)
44
(+1 from 1929)
0.00377
19291119
(-50 from 1928)
43
(-6 from 1928)
0.00371
19281069
(-59 from 1927)
49
(-8 from 1927)
0.00410
19271010
(-79 from 1926)
57
(-7 from 1926)
0.00461
1926931
(-18 from 1925)
64
(-2 from 1925)
0.00520
1925913
(+28 from 1924)
66
(+1 from 1924)
0.00523
1924941
(+35 from 1923)
65
(+7 from 1923)
0.00502
1923976
(-27 from 1922)
58
(-3 from 1922)
0.00463
1922949
(+187 from 1921)
61
(+16 from 1921)
0.00489
19211136
(-131 from 1920)
45
(-9 from 1920)
0.00352
19201005
(+21 from 1919)
54
(+5 from 1919)
0.00434
19191026
(+76 from 1918)
49
(+5 from 1918)
0.00417
19181102
(+179 from 1917)
44
(+12 from 1917)
0.00366
19171281
(-114 from 1916)
32
(-5 from 1916)
0.00285
19161167
(+91 from 1915)
37
(+6 from 1915)
0.00341
19151258
(+407 from 1914)
31
(+15 from 1914)
0.00303
19141665
(+5 from 1913)
16
(+3 from 1913)
0.00201
19131670
(+49 from 1912)
13
(+2 from 1912)
0.00198
19121719
(+237 from 1911)
11
(+4 from 1911)
0.00187
19111956
(-183 from 1910)
7
(-1 from 1910)
0.00158
19101773
(-166 from 1909)
8
No change from 1909
0.00191
19091607
(+454 from 1907)
8
(+3 from 1907)
0.00217
19080
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19072061
(-110 from 1906)
5
No change from 1906
0.00148
19061951
(-158 from 1902)
5
No change from 1902
0.00160
19050
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19040
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19030
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19021793
(-70 from 1900)
5
(-1 from 1900)
0.00178
19010
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19001723
(-23 from 1898)
6
(+1 from 1898)
0.00189
18990
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18981700
(-284 from 1896)
5
(-1 from 1896)
0.00182
18970
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18961416
(+176 from 1895)
6
(+1 from 1895)
0.00238
18951592
(-315 from 1893)
5
(-1 from 1893)
0.00202
18940
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18931277
(-334 from 1891)
6
(-3 from 1891)
0.00266
18920
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
1891943
(+395 from 1890)
9
(+4 from 1890)
0.00458
18901338
(-388 from 1889)
5
(-3 from 1889)
0.00248
1889950
(+9 from 1888)
8
No change from 1888
0.00423
1888959
(-62 from 1886)
8
(+1 from 1886)
0.00422
18870
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
1886897
(-80 from 1883)
7
(+1 from 1883)
0.00455
18850
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18840
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
1883817
(+19 from 1880)
6
(+1 from 1880)
0.00500
18820
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18810
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
1880836
First SSA data recorded
5
First SSA data recorded
0.00512

American States Popularity Rankings for Penelope

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

California (CA)

California (CA) flagCalifornia (CA)#202021#152022#172023

Texas (TX)

Texas (TX) flagTexas (TX)#222021#262022#292023

New York (NY)

New York (NY) flagNew York (NY)#282021#282022#322023

Florida (FL)

Florida (FL) flagFlorida (FL)#242021#202022#292023

Illinois (IL)

Illinois (IL) flagIllinois (IL)#242021#162022#202023

Ohio (OH)

Ohio (OH) flagOhio (OH)#212021#242022#302023

Pennsylvania (PA)

Pennsylvania (PA) flagPennsylvania (PA)#172021#172022#272023

Michigan (MI)

Michigan (MI) flagMichigan (MI)#202021#202022#162023

Washington (WA)

Washington (WA) flagWashington (WA)#172021#142022#212023

New Jersey (NJ)

New Jersey (NJ) flagNew Jersey (NJ)#362021#292022#312023

Arizona (AZ)

Arizona (AZ) flagArizona (AZ)#112021#142022#152023

Massachusetts (MA)

Massachusetts (MA) flagMassachusetts (MA)#222021#272022#242023

North Carolina (NC)

North Carolina (NC) flagNorth Carolina (NC)#342021#532022#412023

Virginia (VA)

Virginia (VA) flagVirginia (VA)#332021#282022#382023

Georgia (GA)

Georgia (GA) flagGeorgia (GA)#522021#462022#482023

Indiana (IN)

Indiana (IN) flagIndiana (IN)#292021#242022#212023

Wisconsin (WI)

Wisconsin (WI) flagWisconsin (WI)#312021#262022#282023

Missouri (MO)

Missouri (MO) flagMissouri (MO)#192021#242022#302023

Colorado (CO)

Colorado (CO) flagColorado (CO)#262021#182022#142023

Minnesota (MN)

Minnesota (MN) flagMinnesota (MN)#402021#372022#212023

Oregon (OR)

Oregon (OR) flagOregon (OR)#192021#102022#132023

Tennessee (TN)

Tennessee (TN) flagTennessee (TN)#532021#622022#572023

Maryland (MD)

Maryland (MD) flagMaryland (MD)#372021#352022#312023

Connecticut (CT)

Connecticut (CT) flagConnecticut (CT)#132021#242022#112023

Utah (UT)

Utah (UT) flagUtah (UT)#252021#312022#332023

Kentucky (KY)

Kentucky (KY) flagKentucky (KY)#342021#442022#462023

Oklahoma (OK)

Oklahoma (OK) flagOklahoma (OK)#322021#252022#482023

Iowa (IA)

Iowa (IA) flagIowa (IA)#532021#252022#452023

South Carolina (SC)

South Carolina (SC) flagSouth Carolina (SC)#512021#442022#492023

Louisiana (LA)

Louisiana (LA) flagLouisiana (LA)#722021#672022#532023

Alabama (AL)

Alabama (AL) flagAlabama (AL)#1012021#542022#682023

Kansas (KS)

Kansas (KS) flagKansas (KS)#412021#502022#172023

Nevada (NV)

Nevada (NV) flagNevada (NV)#162021#192022#232023

Nebraska (NE)

Nebraska (NE) flagNebraska (NE)#332021#262022#172023

Arkansas (AR)

Arkansas (AR) flagArkansas (AR)#442021#602022#342023

New Mexico (NM)

New Mexico (NM) flagNew Mexico (NM)#202021#202022#422023

Maine (ME)

Maine (ME) flagMaine (ME)#142021#252022#232023

Idaho (ID)

Idaho (ID) flagIdaho (ID)#352021#302022#112023

West Virginia (WV)

West Virginia (WV) flagWest Virginia (WV)#522021#482022#522023

District of Columbia (DC)

District of Columbia (DC) flagDistrict of Columbia (DC)#242021#162022#282023

New Hampshire (NH)

New Hampshire (NH) flagNew Hampshire (NH)#232021#242022#412023

Mississippi (MS)

Mississippi (MS) flagMississippi (MS)#912021#1152022#962023

Rhode Island (RI)

Rhode Island (RI) flagRhode Island (RI)#162021#312022#122023

Alaska (AK)

Alaska (AK) flagAlaska (AK)#292021#72022#62023

Hawaii (HI)

Hawaii (HI) flagHawaii (HI)#512021#452022#462023

Montana (MT)

Montana (MT) flagMontana (MT)#862021#552022#402023

North Dakota (ND)

North Dakota (ND) flagNorth Dakota (ND)#642021#812022#332023

Delaware (DE)

Delaware (DE) flagDelaware (DE)#402021#392022#122023

South Dakota (SD)

South Dakota (SD) flagSouth Dakota (SD)#532021#1562022#1002023

Vermont (VT)

Vermont (VT) flagVermont (VT)#212021#352022#622023

Wyoming (WY)

Wyoming (WY) flagWyoming (WY)#762021#312022#712023

Popularity Rankings for Penelope in other Countries and American Territories

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

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#402016#292018

Popularity in England and Wales

England and Wales flagEngland and Wales#412019#442020#382021

Popularity in Canada

Canada flagCanada#452021#382022#452023

Popularity in Australia (NSW)

Australia (NSW) flagAustralia (NSW)#432021#452022#402023

Popularity in New Zealand

New Zealand flagNew Zealand#542021#592022#452023

Popularity in Scotland

Scotland flagScotland#812021#832022#862023

Popularity in Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico flagPuerto Rico#912021#1382022#2082023

Popularity in Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland flagNorthern Ireland#1162021#1142022#992023

Popularity in Quebec, Canada

Quebec, Canada flagQuebec, Canada#1082020#1222021#1122022

Popularity in Ireland

Ireland flagIreland#1602021#1572022#1432023

Popularity in Iceland

Iceland flagIceland#2972022

Popularity in Poland

Poland flagPoland#5692016#4912017#3972021

Popularity in Switzerland

Switzerland flagSwitzerland#4292020#4252021#6022022

Popularity in Germany

Germany flagGermany#4582021#4632022#4742023

Popularity in Sweden

Sweden flagSweden#7742023

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

Is Penelope a Name for Boys or Girls?

Penelope is well-suited for girls because of its classic charm and strong association with the loyal and intelligent figure from Greek mythology.

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

Penelope in Famous People Names, Pop Culture, and Places

  • Penelope Cruz (Actress, born 1974): A Spanish actress acclaimed for her roles in films such as "Volver" and "Vicky Cristina Barcelona."
  • Penelope Wilton (Actress, born 1946): A British actress celebrated for her performances in "Downton Abbey" and "The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel."
  • Penelope Fitzgerald (Author, 1916–2000): A British author distinguished by her award-winning novels, including "Offshore" and "The Blue Flower."
  • Penelope Spheeris (Director, born 1945): An American film director renowned for her work on "The Decline of Western Civilization" and "Wayne's World."
  • Penelope Keith (Actress, born 1940): A British actress recognized for her roles in the sitcoms "The Good Life" and "To the Manor Born."
  • Penelope Ann Miller (Actress, born 1964): An American actress noted for her roles in "Carlito's Way" and "The Artist."
  • Penelope Lively (Author, born 1933): A British author celebrated for her novels and children's books, including "Moon Tiger" and "The Ghost of Thomas Kempe."
  • Penelope Garcia ("Criminal Minds," 2005 TV Series): The quirky and tech-savvy analyst who assists the FBI's Behavioral Analysis Unit.
  • "Penelope" (2006 Film): A modern fairy tale about a young woman cursed with a pig's nose who learns to embrace her true self.
  • Penelope Featherington ("Bridgerton," 2020 TV Series): A member of the Featherington family known for her secret identity as the mysterious gossip columnist, Lady Whistledown.
  • "Penelope" (1966 Film): A comedy about a kleptomaniac wife who robs her husband's bank to get his attention.
  • Penelope Clearwater ("Harry Potter," 1997 Novel Series by J.K. Rowling): A Ravenclaw student and Percy Weasley's girlfriend in the magical series.
  • Penelope Pitstop ("The Perils of Penelope Pitstop," 1969 TV Series): The star of a cartoon series about a young heiress constantly finding herself in perilous situations.
  • Penelope Lang ("The Matrix Reloaded," 2003 Film): A minor character who is part of the human resistance.
  • "Penelope" (2011 Song by Of Montreal): An indie rock song reflecting on themes of love and longing.
  • Penelope Shafai ("Gossip Girl," 2007 TV Series): A member of Blair Waldorf's inner circle at Constance Billard School for Girls.
  • Penelope ("The Odyssey," Ancient Greek Epic by Homer): The faithful wife of Odysseus who waits for his return for twenty years.
  • Penelope Town (Texas, USA): A small town in Hill County with agricultural community.
  • Penelope Lake (Ontario, Canada): A serene lake in Ontario, popular for fishing, boating, and its natural beauty.

Similar Names to Penelope

Sibling Names for Penelope

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What do you think about the name Penelope? I’d love to hear your thoughts! I also write about many other baby girl names. Check them out to find the perfect one!
Helen Doanna

Helen Doanna

Editor in Chief, Educational Specialist, and Senior Content Creator

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Helen is an experienced educational specialist and content creator, known for her innovative approach to children’s learning. With a background in literature and child development, she composes engaging educational content for SimpleKids.net. Her work emphasizes creativity, engagement, and simplicity, aiming to make learning enjoyable and accessible for children and their families.

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