Peter

Peter comes from the Greek Petros, meaning "rock," itself a translation of the Aramaic Kepha (Cephas) that Jesus gave to the apostle Simon. It has remained one of the most consistently used names in the Christian world for nearly two thousand years.

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What Does the Name Peter Mean?

Peter means "rock" or "stone," from the Greek petros. The name carries symbolic weight of firmness and foundation.

The Origin & History of Peter

According to the New Testament, Jesus renamed the apostle Simon as Cephas (Aramaic for "rock"), rendered in Greek as Petros -- the origin of Peter. Saint Peter's status as the first Bishop of Rome and a central figure in Christianity carried the name across nearly every European language, from Pierre and Pietro to Pyotr and Piotr.

Cultural Reach

Peter has been used continuously across English-speaking countries for centuries and remains common throughout Europe in its many national forms, making it one of the most internationally consistent names in the Western world.

Famous People Named Peter

Notable bearers include Saint Peter, the apostle and first Bishop of Rome; Peter the Great, the Russian tsar who modernized the Russian Empire; and Peter Dinklage, the Emmy-winning American actor known for Game of Thrones.

Nicknames & Variations

Pete is the standard nickname. International forms include Pierre (French), Pietro (Italian), Pedro (Spanish/Portuguese), and Pyotr (Russian).

Is Peter a Good Name in 2026?

Peter has faded from the US top 100 but remains a dignified, timeless classic with deep religious and historical roots.

Peter ranked #192 among US boys' names in 2024 SSA data, with 1,889 boys given the name.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the name Peter mean?

Peter means "rock" or "stone," from the Greek Petros, a translation of the Aramaic Cephas.

Is Peter a biblical name?

Yes -- Peter was the name Jesus gave to the apostle Simon, who became the first Bishop of Rome.

What is the Spanish version of Peter?

Pedro is the Spanish and Portuguese form of Peter.

Is Peter a common nickname name?

Pete is the standard nickname for Peter.

Is the name Peter rising or falling in popularity?

According to U.S. Social Security Administration birth data (rank among all American baby names, boys and girls combined), Peter is holding steady, around #363 in 2024 (#379 in 2019) — and its best year on record is 1981, at #100.

Popularity of the name Peter in the US

1981 · 6,032 babies · rank #100 (33 girls, 5,999 boys)