Peta
Meaning: Gentle and melodic, Peta carries a distinctive character within Australian naming
Gender: Girl
Rank in Australia: #255
Total births: 1,311
History: Peta peaked in the 1980s as a distinctly Australian feminine form of Peter. The name is rarely used outside Australia. Peta represents uniquely Australian naming creativity — feminizing a classic in a way that became authentically local.
Explore more at Australian Baby Names on BabyNa.me
Look at the data
Every number here comes directly from Australia’s birth records. No estimates, no averages — just the counts.
| Current rank (1983) | #97 |
| Babies named Peta in 1983 | 79 |
| Total recorded in Australia | 1,311 |
| Peak year | 1978 (133 babies) |
| Highest rank ever | #59 |
| Years in records | 1970–1983 (13 years of data) |
| Change over last 5 years | ↓ 38 spots |
Frequently asked about Peta
What does the name Peta mean?
Peta means “Gentle and melodic, Peta carries a distinctive character within Australian naming”.
How popular is Peta in Australia?
Peta ranked #97 in Australia in 1983 — given to 79 babies that year.
When was Peta most popular?
Peta peaked in 1978 with 133 babies registered that year in Australia.
Is Peta a boy or girl name?
Peta is predominantly a girls' name in Australia — over 90% of Petas in registered births are female.
Is the name Peta rising or falling in popularity?
Peta has fallen 38 spots in the rankings over the last 5 years in Australia — from #59 in 1978 to #97 in 1983.
How long has Peta been recorded in Australia?
Peta appears in birth records in Australia across 13 years — from 1970 through 1983.