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At a Glance: Name: Penelope – Meaning: uncertain; possibly linked to a Greek word for a duck species – Origin: Greek – Gender: Girl – Pronunciation: puh-NEL-oh-pee
Penelope is a Greek name pronounced puh-NEL-oh-pee, and it has a classic feel rather than any particular style. You may have come across the claim that it means "weaver," a nod to the weaving trick from Homer's Odyssey — but that's a popular guess rather than a confirmed root; sources point instead to a possible link with a Greek word for a species of duck. Its exact meaning remains uncertain.
Meaning & Origin of Penelope
Meaning: Uncertain; possibly linked to a greek word for a duck species.
Origin: Greek.
A common claim: Penelope means 'weaver', referencing her weaving trick in Homer's Odyssey Actually: 'Weaver' is a popular folk etymology inspired by the myth, not a confirmed root. The name may instead be connected to a Greek word for a duck species.
Source: Wiktionary.
How to Pronounce Penelope
Phonetic: puh-NEL-oh-pee IPA: /pəˈnɛləpi/
Popularity of Penelope
Penelope peaked at #21 in 2022, when 6,424 babies were given the name, and by 2024 it had eased to #28 with 5,741 babies — a small step down but still a well-used name.
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration birth-name data, 1880–2024.
Make Penelope Name Art
Free printable nursery art for Penelope, pre-loaded below — pick a layout, palette, and font, then download a print-ready PNG.
Names With a Similar Story
Derived from shared style, era, and origin data (or, for names we have no style data for, a similar Social Security popularity trajectory) — not a hand-picked list.
FAQ
What does the name Penelope mean?
Uncertain; possibly linked to a greek word for a duck species. (Source: Wiktionary, https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Penelope)
How do you pronounce Penelope?
Penelope is pronounced puh-NEL-oh-pee (IPA: /pəˈnɛləpi/).
Is Penelope a popular name right now?
Penelope peaked at #21 in 2022 and is ranked #28 as of 2024. (U.S. Social Security Administration data, 1880–2024.)
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