Peter
Gender: Boy
Meaning: Rock — unshakable foundation and steadfast faith
Origin: Greek/Latin
Popularity: Ranked #187 in 2025 with 1,954 babies born.
History: Peter comes from the Greek 'Petros,' meaning rock or stone. Jesus gave this name to the apostle Simon, calling him the foundation of the church, which gave it immense Christian significance. Two popes, numerous saints, and royals across Europe bore the name. Literary figures like Peter Pan have kept it lively in popular culture.
Famous people named Peter: Peter Jackson (director), Peter Griffin (Family Guy character)
Name length: 5 letters
How common is Peter? About 1 in 1,703 babies born in 2025 were named Peter, or roughly 5.4 per day in the United States.
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Frequently asked about Peter
What does the name Peter mean?
Peter means “Rock — unshakable foundation and steadfast faith” from Greek/Latin roots.
What is the origin of the name Peter?
Peter has Greek/Latin origin. The traditional meaning is “Rock — unshakable foundation and steadfast faith”.
How popular is Peter?
Peter ranked #187 in 2025 — given to 1,954 babies that year.
When was Peter most popular?
Peter peaked in 1957 with 11,604 babies registered that year.
Is Peter a boy or girl name?
Peter is predominantly a boys' name — over 90% of Peters in registered births are male.
Is the name Peter rising or falling in popularity?
Peter has risen 28 spots in the rankings over the last 5 years — from #215 in 2020 to #187 in 2025.
How long has Peter been recorded?
Peter appears in birth records across 146 years — from 1880 through 2025.