Peter
Peter is a boy's name of Greek origin.
Meaning
Rock or stone.
Origin and history
Peter is derived from the Greek name Petros, meaning 'rock' or 'stone'. It became a foundational Christian name through Saint Peter, one of the original apostles. It has been a timeless staple in the United States, remaining consistently popular for generations.
Popularity in the United States
589,588 babies in the United States have been named Peter since 1880. It ranks #56 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #202.
States where it is most popular
- NY (20.3 %)
- CA (8.8 %)
- MA (7.8 %)
- NJ (6.5 %)
- PA (6.5 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 4,656 |
| 1890-1900 | 4,028 |
| 1900-1910 | 4,375 |
| 1910-1920 | 24,935 |
| 1920-1930 | 34,066 |
| 1930-1940 | 35,822 |
| 1940-1950 | 69,330 |
| 1950-1960 | 102,747 |
| 1960-1970 | 92,418 |
| 1970-1980 | 62,320 |
| 1980-1990 | 56,713 |
| 1990-2000 | 42,394 |
| 2000-2010 | 26,136 |
| 2010-2019 | 18,725 |
| 2020-2029 | 10,923 |
Famous people named Peter
- Peter Dinklage: Actor
- Peter Jackson: Director, Producer
- Peter Parker: Fictional Superhero
Nicknames
Pete, Petey
Fun facts
- The name stems from the Greek word 'petros', translating to 'rock' or 'stone'.
- The name was borne by several major European monarchs, most notably Tsar Peter the Great of Russia.
- Peter has ranked among the top 250 names for American boys throughout the entire modern record-keeping era.