Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Peter
BoyGreek, English· “stone”
- Meaning
- stone
- Origin
- Greek, English
- Pronunciation
- PEE-tur
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #187
- US babies 2025
- 1,954
- Best rank
- #31 (1880)
- Peak year
- 1957
Meaning and origin of Peter
Peter is a Greek and English name that means “stone”.
Peter comes from the Greek petros, "stone," a translation of the Aramaic Cephas, the name Jesus gave to the apostle Simon. Saint Peter is regarded as the first pope, and his name spread throughout Christian Europe in countless forms, including Pierre, Pedro, Pietro and Pyotr. Peter the Great of Russia is one of its most famous royal bearers, and J. M. Barrie's Peter Pan gave it lasting charm in literature. Peter is steady, friendly and timeless, a classic that never feels out of place. Pete is the traditional nickname.
Other spellings with the same sound: Pieter.
Popularity over time
Peter has been given to babies in the United States since at least 1880, the first year of Social Security records. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 146 different years. Its best national rank was #31 in 1880, and the most babies received it in 1957, when 11,603 were named Peter. In 2025, 1,954 babies were named Peter, and it ranked #187 nationally. Its use has been fairly steady over the past decade.
Its national rank moved from #57 in 1920, #37 in 1950, #55 in 1980, #125 in 2000, #193 in 2010, and #187 in 2025. Of the 589,588 US boys named Peter since records began, 17% were born in the 1950s, its biggest decade. The 1960s come next, with 92,418 babies. Since 2010, 29,648 more have been named Peter.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Keith, Ricky, Bruce, Dale, and Carl.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Peter ranked highest in District of Columbia, Alaska, and Utah.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | #46 | 16 |
| Alaska | #82 | 10 |
| Utah | #96 | 53 |
| Vermont | #96 | 6 |
| Montana | #107 | 12 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for boys.
Peter is usually pronounced PEE-tur, with two syllables. It has five letters, starts with P and ends in “-er”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Pieter.
Middle names for Peter
A few middle names that flow with Peter: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Peter
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Lists that include Peter
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Peter mean?
Peter is a Greek and English name that means “stone”.
What is the origin of the name Peter?
Peter has Greek and English roots. Peter comes from the Greek petros, "stone," a translation of the Aramaic Cephas, the name Jesus gave to the apostle Simon.
Is Peter a popular name?
Yes. Peter ranked #187 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Peter a boy or girl name?
Peter is mainly a boy's name. In the US it is used almost only for boys.
How do you pronounce Peter?
Peter is usually pronounced PEE-tur. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings